I am a violin and viola teacher with over 30 years' experience. I teach children of all ages and adults, from beginners to advanced. I have a private practice at my home in a spacious music room.

I have had violin lessons with Alison Crocker for nine years and I am pleased to recommend Alison as a violin teacher to any player from beginner right the way through to an advanced, post Grade 8 standard. Originally, I came to Alison as an already advanced player to do my Grade 8 exam, which I achieved a year later. However, I continued having lessons and over the years she has simply transformed my playing, as well as enabling me to achieve an Associated Board ARSM qualification. Over the years, I have had the benefit of receiving tuition from several violin teachers and the real difference with Alison is her range of techniques, wealth of experience and dedication to improve your playing, as opposed to just receiving generic instrumental lessons. The lessons are always delivered in a friendly, encouraging manner and I continue to thoroughly enjoy them.

Alex Hoy

Alison taught my daughter from the beginning to grade 8. She instilled a real joy of music in her. My daughter is now married, moved to a different part of the country and is still playing for pleasure in orchestras. Music is my daughter's most important method of relaxing after work and being able to make friends anywhere. I also had a few years of lessons with Alison as an adult. She was very patient, informative and taught with a light heart and great knowledge. This is a hard balance to achieve, but she does it. I always looked forward to my lesson time and found her great value for money. I highly recommend her

Alison taught the violin to my daughter Katie from the age of 9, right up until the age of 18 when she achieved her ABRSM Grade 8 with a high merit. From the very beginning, Alison inspired Katie to want to play, making her lessons enjoyable, whilst also supportive and challenging. She guided her carefully through her graded examinations, ensuring her technical ability, but also allowed time for a broad range of playing, with duets being a particular favourite! Alison has certainly helped to instil a love of music in Katie, and she now continues to play in her university orchestra, visiting Alison for a session of fun playing when she is home for the holidays. I whole-heartedly recommend her as a violin teacher for students of all ages.

Alison Crocker

I began having lessons with Alison in September 2019, as a mature student.
I was taught to play the violin at school and once retired, I wanted to build on and develop my violin playing skills in order to play with local amateur orchestras and small string groups.

I live about 35 miles from Alison and would willingly travel further if necessary in order to be taught by her. I know I am not the only one of her pupils to whom this applies.

When planning my lessons Alison always takes into account my needs and what is manageable to work on at any given time. She also takes great care to include in the lessons any preferences I may have and we have very useful discussions regarding what to focus on next. Lessons are always varied, interesting, very helpful and enjoyable.

Wherever there is a need to refine my technique or change an unhelpful habit, I have always found that Alison will not just identify what needs to be worked on but she always demonstrates exactly what is needed and sets out very clear steps showing me how to work on any changes. Her strategies are always very wise and manageable and she gives clear reasons for them too which helps greatly with my understanding. She is also very patient.

Alison has often spent time outside my lessons following up what has been covered or points we have discussed. For example she will study a piece I am learning, to work out the most sensible bowing, or research possible new pieces for me to play in future.

I am not a confident player but have found my confidence growing greatly due to Alison's understanding, approachable and calm manner. She is very encouraging too and will always identify where my playing has improved as well as suggesting helpful next steps. She is extremely understanding about any concerns I have and always helps me to deal with these.

I always come away from lessons feeling enthused and keen to practice the things I have learned. My husband no longer asks how my violin lesson went as he says the answer is always the same. 'I really enjoyed my lesson and I've learned so much'.

I feel very fortunate indeed to be taught by Alison.




Diane Bagshaw
5 August 2024

I have received violin and viola lessons from Alison for the last 5 years. I started playing the violin after my retirement, so as a very late starter I have really appreciated Alison’s knowledge, experience and understanding, and her flexible approach to learning to play an instrument. She is always calm and has unlimited patience, but is also able to build the student’s confidence to explore more challenging pieces. I have no hesitation in recommending her as an excellent tutor, and musician.

Alison was recommended to me by a previous teacher and I am more than happy to drive 1 1/2 hours to get to her house. She has a wonderful ear and a very precise understanding of where I go wrong, with suggestions for practising how to get it right - and quick to praise when I play well. She is happy for me to choose the pieces I play (I am 77) though totally aware of the difficulties they present, guiding me away from anything too demanding.

I was recently unable to drive and gladly made the effort to take a roundabout journey by train and bus.