Wendy Max Holds ABYSO Beginner String Workshop

The ABYSO welcomed specialist string tutor Wendy Max and her colleague Cecily Mendelsohn for a  five day beginner string workshop for violin, viola and cello students. Wendy is recognised as one of the preeminent teachers of beginner strings in the UK.

Eighteen young string players all under the age of 11 participated in the workshops which were held at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. Wendy and Cecily held a recital for parents at the end of the workshop where the children showed off their newly acquired skills. Wendy encouraged the ABYSO to invest in very young players ensuring they are taught correct technique from the onset.  She also expressed her wish to work with local tutors and those interested in teaching to share skills she has picked up as a teacher over the years. Local pianist Shannon O’Garro ably supported the workshops as the volunteer accompanist.

Wendy was a member of the Tower Hamlets Strings Project under the leadership of Sheila Nelson. As part of a team of 35 peripatetic teachers, she taught the violin and cello to 1000 children every week of the school year in large groups (30-35) as part of their general curriculum. She developed these skills as part of her private teaching and from 1985 at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Wendy also taught for three years at the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Wendy will return to Antigua in December 2020 to conduct a second workshop for beginners.