Lucy Russell

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On preparation of the Royal Academy of Music Orchestra: " Wow, I see that
Lucy has worked her magic with you..." "You prepared them so well I hardly had anything to say!"

Sir Simon RattleChief Conductor: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Laureate: London Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor, Rafael Kubelík Chair: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

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Lucy Russell is one of those musicians whose performing skills are amazingly wide ranging, enabling her to demonstrate the depth of her musicianship in many fields. Whether it is as the leader of the Fitzwilliam quartet, leading Baroque orchestras, or as a solo violinist, her versatility is at the service of her inspiring musicianship. It has always been a pleasure to share a stage with her!

Moray WelshSolo cellist, ex Principal Cello, London Symphony Orchestra

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Lucy is devoted to teaching, able to inspire joy and love for music-making, excellent at problem solving and enthusiastic about creative thinking. Her sensitivity, empathy and commitment are qualities that shine through both her playing and her teaching, making her a role model in my life.

David LopezThe Philharmonia Orchestra, ArtDip ex-student Royal College of Music

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Lucy’s playing is always full of imagination and this talent is shown in her teaching as well. She can easily come up with several effective ways to solve the students’ problems after observing their playing. My playing is therefore often improved in several minutes when I follow her advice in our lessons – which I call ‘magic’!

Jin MaGraduate Teaching Assistant, PhD ex student, University of York

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Lucy is not only an exceptionally skilled violinist, but also a deeply compassionate and understanding mentor. She took the time to understand my unique background and challenges, and instead of seeing the obstacles, she saw the possibilities. Thanks to her guidance, I’ve not only improved my technical skills, but I’ve also gained confidence in myself as a musician and as a person.

Yichun MaoArtDip Student, Royal College of Music

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Lucy is a fantastic teacher: rigorous but friendly, giving thoughtful guidance to help my own musical ideas to develop and flourish. What really sets her apart is the clarity with which she suggests improvements: every lesson, I feel I gain a clear understanding of how I can take steps to develop my interpretation of a piece, and insight into how I can refine my technique.

Francis NewmanStudent, St Andrews and Cambridge Universities

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Lucy has all the requisites one looks for in a first class tutor: deep expertise and knowledge of her instrument and of how to get the most out of it technically and expressively, of its music, whether solo or collaborative, pre classical or modern (and all between), working with supportive tact and persuasive enthusiasm at every level from student and amateur to professional. She has a devoted following.

Peter HewittChief Executive of Benslow Music

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My last three years studying with Lucy have completely overturned my previous 18 years of playing and practicing the violin. Lucy understands me as person and is helping me find my own artistic path. Her joy and constant search for new features of the instrument and wellbeing of the mind are extremely effective and have made me much more open minded and searching for beauty myself. She is not just a first class violinist and teacher, she teaches you how to live as a musician and as a fulfilled individual.

Giovanni MelchioriArtDip Student, Royal College of Music

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The extraordinary range of her talents as a performer, teacher and thinker have inspired my work for all this time. Lucy’s ability to play period and modern violin with equal facility, flair and imagination is key to her amazing success in performing this range of repertoire … She is naturally comfortable working with young and experienced musicians. She is generous, creative, understanding, patient, demanding and challenging in equal measure.

Jeffrey Skidmore OBEDirector of Ex Cathedra