The London-based violinist will work closely with the school’s violin and viola pupils over the next year

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Violinist Jack Liebeck working with a student at St Mary’s Music School

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St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh has announced that violin soloist Jack Liebeck will work with its students to support them in their next stage of development.

Over the next year, London-based Liebeck will conduct one-to-one lessons and group classes with 13 violin and viola pupils. Liebeck, who also serves as Emile Sauret professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London, described the opportunity as ‘very exciting’ and a ‘great responsibility.’

’I am very excited to start working more regularly with the talented young musicians at St Mary’s Music School,’ said Liebeck.

’Having always enjoyed my previous visits to this wonderful school, the prospect of a closer involvement in helping to mould the next generation of young players is very intriguing and a great responsibility.

’So far I have found that the students are extremely responsive to our time together and I feel that we can make a palpable difference to their long-term progress.

’I look forward to seeing how our work together evolves.’

Dr Valerie Pearson, head of strings at St Mary’s Music School, said: ’This is an incredible opportunity both for the school and for the pupils.

’They already have exceptional tuition at the school, and bringing in someone like Jack Liebeck adds that bit of stardust and complements perfectly the work we already do.’

She continued: ’He will be focusing on the fundamentals, and helping our pupils realise what they need to do to make it to that next level and beyond.’

It is hoped the new arrangement could lead to other major figures coming to work at the school with other departments in future.

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