About Me
Sarah Greinig: Professional Violinist & Violist, Qualified teacher, Accompanist.
Sarah grew up on the outskirts of London. She started piano lessons at a young age with Jane Dodd, and violin lessons with Barbara Pears a couple of years later. Success as a pianist came early on, as aged just 11, Sarah won first prize in the Dawson Award, giving performances of a movement from Mozart's A major Concerto, K488.
As a young teenager, Sarah became fascinated by harmony, and was drawn to the rich, beautiful tones of the viola and its role within the inner harmonies. Her exceptional musical ability was recognised by the award of a place as a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music. She looked forward eagerly to her Saturdays, which were spent in London at the RCM amongst students from all over the country, with music pouring from every room. There she received lessons in piano with John Barstow, viola with Simon Rowland-Jones and later Joanna Leslie, and theory with Veronica Clayton. She played in Training and Symphony Orchestras and received coaching in string quartet playing. As a Sixth Former, Sarah was accepted by the Purcell School of Music, another richly musical experience, where she completed her school education.
Moving north to read Music at Manchester University, Sarah had by now decided to specialise in viola playing. At that time, the world-renowned Lindsays were the resident quartet, and Sarah was selected by its violist, Robin Ireland, for individual tuition. Together with fellow students, the Medlock String Quartet was formed which received coaching from Peter Cropper and Bernard Gregor-Smith, gave regular recitals and played at an impressive variety of corporate events, receiving much praise. Sarah also played as principal violist in the University's Symphony and Chamber orchestras. Her third-year dissertation, under the intellectual eye of Professor Ian Kemp, was an investigation of string quartet composition, focusing on the works of Dvorak. Her performance of the Walton Viola Concerto earned her a first in her final recital.
After graduating, Sarah won a coveted place on the postgraduate course at the Royal Academy of Music. She studied viola with John White and was a member of the RAM Sinfonia, working with Christopher Warren-Green and Simon Rattle. During this time she gained her LRAM teaching diploma.
During the next decade, Sarah developed a thriving and innovative teaching practice in Surrey. Increasingly in demand as a performer, Sarah decided to broaden her skills yet further by developing her violin playing. She gained a place at Sheffield University to read for a Masters in Performance, a substantial project which was to involve a detailed and fascinating analysis of the Beethoven Violin Sonatas, her thesis subject for the Masters. Although only required by the course to give one 45 minute recital, Sarah had performed the complete cycle of ten Beethoven Violin Sonatas within the first year. Sarah was fortunate to be accepted by inspirational violin teacher, Nina Martin, and Sarah's years in Sheffield saw an astonishing development of her repertoire including the Tchaikovsky Concerto, virtuoso works by Wieniawski and the complete Sonatas and Partitas of J.S.Bach, in addition to the Beethoven Sonatas. During this time Sarah gave numerous recitals, many with distinguished accompanist, Jonathan Gooing, and was invited to lead the University Symphony Orchestra.
Sarah now lives in Devon, where she is quickly gaining a reputation as an inspirational teacher and performer. She continues to develop her solo repertoire, which now also includes the Bruch G Minor Concerto. In 2006 Sarah was appointed violin teacher for Exeter University, and is becoming known for her innovative methods of teaching children in groups. She is also in regular demand as a piano accompanist.
Inevitably, Sarah currently has a waiting list of children wishing to learn with her. However, she welcomes all enquiries and is always happy to answer questions parents may have. Places in her group teaching projects, currently undergoing expansion, are often available.
