Your Name: Lawrence Lynch
Job Title: Professional Violin Teacher in Bangkok
What is your nationality and background?
I am British… Scottish actually – and proud of it! I graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, then taught Violin for the ILEA (London) and in Birmingham for 16 years, prior to going freelance and specializing in private violin tuition and coaching. I had three teaching practices around the Midlands, and later a music school, music shop, and violin dealership.
What is your profession?
I am a semi-retired professional violinist and teacher and entrepreneur, having taught violin since 1975.
What are the key skills and responsibilities of this role?
There are several factors to take into consideration. Good teachers possess the qualities of technical and musical competence, excellent communication skills, a charismatic persona, significant teaching experience, an empathy with a student’s situation – and above all others – an infectious enthusiasm, which inspires, and instils in his or her protégés a fervent enthusiastic desire to please their teacher – and in-so-doing – achieve their fullest potential.
How did you get involved in your profession?
My mother was a professional pianist and talented teacher. She attempted unsuccessfully to persuade me to learn to play piano – I rebelled! However all was not lost; as when I was 12 years old, I decided that I wanted to learn violin. I was a natural violinist, and later …. became a “manufactured” pianist!
I am a good communicator; therefore, it seemed only natural, that when I had honed my musical skills, I should pass them on to the next few generations!
How does your role enhance the wellbeing or experience of children?
Scienticic experiments have confirmed that learning to play violin enhances childrens’ brain power, raising their IQ by several points. The reason for this is quite obvious – one is multi-tasking – using left (logical) and right (artistic) hemispheres simultaneously. Violin playing is a specialised art and as such, children who display this ability, derive much personal satisfaction, self-esteem, and the respect and admiration of their peers. They possess a skill that will serve them all of their lives. After all – music is the universal language of the world.
What challenges do your face in this role?
A professional musician is only as good as their last performance.
A good teacher has an open mind, is not stuck in their ways and married to one particular methodology, but is constantly honing their art. They are reviewing, reappraising, recalibrating, and incorporating any new ideas and material, which, where appropriate, will ameliorate their student’s particular skills.
Every student is an individual. The best teachers recognize this, and will customize their approach to suit the specific needs of their protégés.
Music should also be fun!
A successful student/teacher relationship hinges upon mutual respect, and an instilled desire on the part of the student to emulate the skills of their mentor.
What do you hope to achieve within your industry?
I just endeavour to maintain and continue to enhance the level of excellence that I have developed over a 40 years teaching career; and to impart my musical knowledge experience, enthusiasm, and love of my art, to the next generation.
Who or what inspires you?
Free thinkers and innovators, with open minds, who are always willing to consider alternative ideas and make changes that may sometimes go against the “mainstream musical grain”.
Heroes?… Nikola Tesla – greatest mind of the 20th Century. And Mozart – the greatest musical genius of all time.
Only a Bangkok local would know…
The best violin shop in Bangkok, bar none – I should know – I was a violin dealer in the UK for 20 years, is Franke Violin in Ramkangheang Soi 12.
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