Iona Catherine
Ambassador
- Hourly rate £35
- Response Time 3h
- Number of students 50+
Book a class
1st lesson free!
University level professional violinist offering Folk, Pop and Rock violin tuition in London (All Levels)
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- London
- at their home
- By webcam
Ambassador
We host the best tutors. Quality of their profile, experience in their field. Iona Catherine will be happy to arrange your first Music reading lesson.
About the lesson
My violin lessons are for anyone who wants to learn to play the violin within the context of folk, pop and/or rock. For beginners, we will look at the basics of classical violin technique to ensure safety whilst playing, as well as how to read music and basic music theory. We will look at folk, pop, and rock repertoire, and begin to look at the techniques that can be used to make these genres come alive on the violin.
Standard violin, electric violin, and 8ve violin can all be explored, as well as how effects pedals such as loops, reverbs, delays and distortion and more can be used to modify the sound of your playing into something truly unique and expressive. For more advanced students all of the above can be explored, as well as a more personalized look at performance technique, pushing the boundaries of artistry, violin composition, and advanced violin technique. Sessions will be presented in a supportive way through the exploration of repertoire, practical tasks, practice plans, and constructive discussion.
I am trained to grade 8 level in Scottish folk violin, grade 7 in classical violin, grade 5 in music theory, and level 3 in pop/rock performance.
I have been gigging and recording in folk and popular genres for over 10 years, developing a strong sense of musicality, technique, and performance. I have worked with major artists including Myrkur (black metal band), Ehsan Imani (metal guitarist), Hogwash (ceilidh band), and also host a folk night.
subjects
- Music reading
- Violin
- Fiddle
languages
- English
levels
- All Levels
About Iona Catherine
Hi! I'm Iona Catherine. I offer one-on-one Folk/Pop Violin lessons Online (Zoom) and in East London.
I am an experienced tutor with 15+ years of hands-on professional and academic music experience. The bespoke and personalised music classes that I offer can benefit students of all levels, whatever your goals and ambitions are.
I ensure that I am empathetic, listening, and full of enthusiasm. I always have words of encouragement to give and ideas to bring to make my students feel heard, supported, and passionate about moving forward with their craft. I regularly send personalised resources and helpful links to my students. And, most importantly, I believe everyone has it in them to make music.
I’ll work with you to provide both in-person and online one-to-one music lessons to bring you to the level that you want to reach – whether that’s picking up the violin for the first time, taking an exam, or heading to the stage!
MY QUALIFICATIONS:
* 1st Class Honours BA in Music from Goldsmiths, UoL
* Currently studying MA in Popular Music at Goldsmiths, UoL
* D*D*D* BTEC Music Performance, A Level Music, AS Level Business, EPQ
* Grade 8 Scottish Violin, Grade 7 Classical Violin, Grade 5 Music Theory
*Clear DBS Check
RECENT CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
* Tuition of 20+ 1-1 music students in 2021
* Music production for Please Use Other Door (BBC Radio 4, 2022)
* Music production for Bill Dare (of Dead Ringers, Spitting Image)
* Voiceover recording for Jon Culshaw (impressionist)
* Live violin for Myrkur (black metal band) and Ehsan Imani (rock guitarist)
* 5 years as lead violinist for Ceilidh band Hogwash
* Launching of my own music artist project INCONNIA
* Scoring of short LIAF nominated short film 'Amputee Undefined' for Paralympian Sophie Kamlish
* Scoring of RTS award winning short film 'Go For Alayna'
* Bi-Monthly host of Matchstick Piehouse (London) folk night 'Folk of the Round Table'
Review
All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience lived by the students of Iona Catherine.
5 (7 reviews)
Ilaria
Perfect! Iona’ sa very chill teacher and is great at putting her students at ease. She gave me very useful tips and materials while keeping a very encouraging attitude. I can’t wait to have another lesson! :)
Ilaria
Perfect! Iona is the real deal. She has a lovely teaching manner, relaxed yet inspiring. No pressure but sets goals. She provided practice notes and notation for use outside of the lesson which is very helpful. I have learnt a lot over a couple of lessons and I could not be happier with Iona. I highly recommend her.
Ellie
Perfect! Lona is very patient, encouraging and friendly! Really enjoyed her lesson!
Ellie
Iona Catherine's response
- Iona Catherine's response : Very enthusiastic and attentive :)
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Recommendations
Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher
4
Hugo
Iona is a fantastic and insightful tutor - she's hugely knowledgeable about music production and is really fun to work with.
Hugo
Iona is a talented exciting new artist. Reducing her audience to tears with her haunting and moving work. Uplifting her audience with beautiful and exciting sound. A multi talented musician.
Rowey
Iona is a great tutor! She taught me songwriting and production. Super supportive, organised and fun! I learnt a lot and definitely got out of the lessons what I wanted. She’s got loads of experiences and resources that make up the high quality education she delivers and she teaches however you want her to and to whatever style suits you!
Rowey
Very encouraging and friendly! Certainly knows her stuff! I’ve come away from her lessons with solid practical knowledge and skills that I feel confident in putting in place academically, personally and professionally!
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Rates
packages
- 5h: £150
- 10h: £300
webcam
- £35/h
free lessons
- 1hr
Find out more about Iona Catherine
01
When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?
My passion began when I was six, when I first fell in love with playing the violin. I grew up in a culture of folk music, a life coloured by sitting in firelit durgy pubs, and summer and autumn outdoor folk festivals, and so that influence of learning folk tunes by ear on violin and playing in a folk-jam group most weeks has been huge. I later discovered composition, songwriting and music production at college and ended up writing and producing over 500 songs before going on to study those skills at university, achieving a 1st Class Hons degree in Music from Goldsmiths UoL. And now it is my occupation via being a music artist (INCONNIA) and freelancer as well as music tutor which I love as a way to spend my time. (here is my website: https://www.inconnia.com) Music has always been with me. It is the lense that I look at the world through and what my whole life has revolved around so far.
02
2) Is there a particular type music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?
I have listened to and played huge range of music including experimental contemporary to classical, EDM/IDM, heavy metal, alternative pop, noise/industrial, folk/world, and so much more. Some of my favourite artists include Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, Vaughn Williams, Cornelius Cardew, Austin Wintory, Queen, The Beatles, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Beabadoobee, Iglooghost, Boys Noize… and SO many more. A real range! in fact I have a whole HUGE playlist of my influences that I made a while ago: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2sHpm6JAWXMdbKUOvY3GU4?si=wtT2B4JxRnmDrQ2mtbVOug I think this combination means I am able to work in a diverse range of genres and pull on a huge pool of infuences as I create to make things that sound really unique.
03
Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.
I like to work 1-1 with my students depending on their violin/music production/songwriting/composition interests and needs, pushing for the best sound and creations in each area. Music is challenging in of itself so no need to make it more difficult, but I like to make the tasks I set my students within reach using big learning curves, plenty of discussions, and interesting practical challenges, that push the boundaries of what they already know but are also achievable with new knowledge that will last a lifetime.
04
What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?
Every instrument has its challenges! Music production is hard because it involves learning software and a whole new way of listening. Violin is complex because it is hard to get in tune and is held in an unusual way. Songwriting and composition involve buckets of creativity that mean idea generation must be practiced. All involve many hours of work. But each is incredibly rewarding right from the very first note and I believe everyone has it in them to make music no matter the difficulty of the medium used.
05
What are your keys to success?
Fun, determination, a willingness to experiment, and a keenness to learn. It is important to have all four of those in equal measures.
06
Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.
Good question! I would say composer John Cage for his philosophical thinking on the meaning of music, music producer Guy Sigsworth for his quirky work with artists such as Madonna and Imogen Heap, and Freddie Mercury for his performative spectacular-ness and talent for songwriting.
07
Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.
"There is no such thing as a wrong note... play it again and it will sound like you did it on purpose"
08
What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?
I ensure that I am empathetic, listening, and full of enthusiasm. I always have words of encouragement to give and ideas to bring to make my students feel heard, supported, and passionate about moving forward with their craft. I regularly send personalised resources and helpful links to my students. I take my duties of care and to teach seriously and I feel that really counts. These touches are what make me a Superprof in music.
