Summer Strings Course: Intermediate

Join us for a new fun and engaging four-day summer strings course led by a team of expert tutors and designed for intermediate level musicians. 

Make music with like-minded participants together in a friendly, supportive setting. 

Strengthen your skills through focused guidance, take time to practice, learn to respond imaginatively to the repertoire and try new musical ideas. 

You can expect: 

The course is taught by Rachel Cooper and a team of expert tutors. 

Since earning a Master’s degree with Distinction from the Royal College of Music, Rachel has cultivated a dynamic and multifaceted career as an educator, mentor, and lecturer in the field of music education. A trained Suzuki violin teacher, she served as a Violin, Viola, and Chamber Music Coach at Guildhall School of Music and Drama Junior Department until December 2024. She currently works with the UK-based charity Music Masters as a violin teacher and mentor, and recently launched her own Saturday violin programme in West London. This initiative is dedicated to delivering the highest standards of pedagogy while nurturing each child's individual musical journey with joy and creativity. 

Rachel has been involved with the Benedetti Foundation since its founding in 2019, initially as a violin tutor and more recently as Head of String teacher development. Through her work with the Foundation, she has reached thousands of young musicians and supported the professional development of hundreds of string teachers across the UK. 

She is also the co-founder of VIVAStrings, a holistic summer string course for children aged 8-15, held annually in Wiltshire. Additionally, Rachel contributes as a lecturer and mentor on several degree programmes, including a PGCEi course in partnership with Music Masters and the University of Birmingham, focusing on group instrumental teaching for violinists. 

An in-demand speaker and clinician, Rachel regularly delivers masterclasses and lectures across the UK and internationally, with recent engagements in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, and Belgium. As a performer, she has played with numerous freelance ensembles and recently recorded with the Benedetti Foundation for Decca Classics. 

Rachel’s impact in the field of music education has earned widespread recognition. In 2023, she was honoured with the Emerging Artist Award by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra during their Women in Classical Music Symposium, following a nomination by Nicola Benedetti. She is currently authoring a book on violin pedagogy, aimed at supporting educators working with young string players.