Olivia Sophie Volynkina - Liv's Viola Classes - Solo lessons, group lessons, online and in person!

Find out more about Olivia Sophie

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  My favourite instrument is the viola and I first developed a passion for music when my elder sister came back from her piano lesson and played the most wonderful piece of music that she had just learnt. This then spurred me on to ask my mum if I could learn the piano, then I decided I wanted to learn the violin and viola.

• Is there a particular type music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Quite recently, I have gotten into Alan Walker as it seems to calm me down after long teaching days. I am able to turn my brain off and relax.

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  One of the most difficult courses I could personally give to a student would be having to adapt to another instrument. For example, switching from the violin to the viola.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  All instruments have their own difficulties, as each technique for each instrument is different. Some instruments are easier to learn than others, for example one does not have to think about intonation/tuning on the piano but being able to create a phrase is something of a challenge.
  
  You can learn so much, just by adopting how another instrumentalist plays a piece of music.
  
  String players do not need to think about breath control however if they do, they would think a lot differently about how they phrase a piece of music.

• What are your keys to success?

  Determination, passion and a want to have fun and enjoy the music that we all make.
  
  We are all on the same musical journey and music is the link that transports us and lifts us up!

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Mozart - because I know he had a fun sense of humour and enjoyed to let his hair down.
  
  
  Bob Marley - I have always loved Bob Marleys music and he seemed like a genuine man who loved the world and loved making music. He is an aspiration to me as a musician.
  
  
  Ramin Djawadi - I love film music and film scores and his scores come to life and I would love to discuss how he comes up with his motifs for the film music.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  "After I performed in a lunchtime concert at Wells Cathedral School, a lovely gentleman came up to congratulate me for my performance after the concert. I was very moved. He told me my viola makes a beautiful sound, of which I went over to my viola and put my ear to it. He laughed."
  
  The sound comes from within. We are the instrument to our violins/violas or whichever instrument you perform.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I think as a teacher, you should never expect to know it all, and always expect to learn something new in every lesson. Every student is different and has ideas as to how they wish to play, that is what I love about teaching.
  
  The more independent I can make a student be, the more I know that I have done my job correctly.