Francesca Dego: Life Lessons

I find teaching very daunting partly because Daniele Gay, who was my mentor from when I was nine until I left to study at the Royal College of Music, showed me just how powerful good teaching can be. He helped me build the wings I needed to take flight but I could always go back to him for advice; just by nodding his head he would reassure me I was on the right track. There was no competition at all between his students, and the fact we’re all still so close to one another today is a testament to the amazing sense of family he created. When he died two years ago the news came as a terrible blow. I didn’t need a teacher in the same way I had when I was younger, but I suddenly felt as if I’d been left to get on with things on my own. As you develop, the conductors, orchestral players and chamber partners you work with become your teachers instead but when you’re younger you don’t need ten different viewpoints. You need someone who will say the same things to you over and over again until they finally fall into place.