Testimonials

​Alison has been teaching me for a little over two years, since I returned to the piano after not playing anything beyond chopsticks for three decades. I had forgotten how to read music but, having loved playing as a child, I wanted to recapture the enjoyment I remembered so clearly.  What I hadn't bargained for was the difficulty ahead of me: trying to make my brain connect with my hands, remembering to breathe when my heart is pounding, forcing my little finger to bend to my will, all while attempting to play the right notes in the right order, at the right speed.

Thankfully I couldn't have chosen a better teacher to help me rediscover the joy. Alison combines an enormous array of talents (formidable knowledge, experience, intellect, patience and dedication, among others) yet couldn't be more approachable and modest. If I am struggling with a piece, she immediately pinpoints the problem and gives me the tools to progress. She is a fantastic communicator, able to call upon an anecdote or illustrate her point vividly to help me understand how to improve. She always finds the right balance between encouragement and challenge, pushing me out of my comfort zone without ever making me feel out of my depth, not to mention picking me up when I'm overcome with self-doubt and frustration. Alison really is an outstanding teacher.

I studied with Alison Moncrieff-Kelly at Wells Cathedral School for four years in the 80s. I was 11 years old when I started studying with her. It was quite daunting for me, in retrospect, suddenly being in an environment where I was far from the only cellist and far from the best. It was an incredibly important time in my development and Alison was extremely important to me.

She could be quite demanding but always supportive, understanding and very caring. I always felt safe and secure with Alison, and I knew that I could rely on her to be there for me.

​Alison basically taught me how to practice. She showed me in a fully graspable way how to practice shifting, how to practice complicated passage work. She showed me how to plan my practice, told me which studies, scales and exercises I should practice, and how to approach them. She showed me how to use my bow and was so inspiring in every lesson. Somehow, I still remember the excitement I felt before each lesson and the good feeling I invariably had afterwards. She gave me such a good basis and I find myself repeating so much of what I learnt 30 years ago to my own students now.

After my studies with Alison came to an end, I had reached a pretty high level for my age. I eventually won my first orchestral position as co-principal cellist of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra at the age of 22. I went on to become Principal Cello of the Norwegian Opera Orchestra and I am currently Principal Cello of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. I am totally indebted to Alison for the support, the warmth, the inspiration and the large amount of knowledge she passed on to me during those early years. I would not be where I am today without her!

I studied the cello with Alison during the mid/ late eighties at Wells Cathedral School during that crucial time of auditioning for music colleges.  She had some fantastic students (most notably Ernst Simon Glaser- now principal cello of Gothenburg SO, who began the cello with her) and then there was me.  I had arrived at Wells with a reasonably solid if parochial training and it was Alison who got me match fit for further education.  

At that time, there seemed to be a very incidental attitude towards the big, bad world out there and this was something which Alison countered.  I was always realistic about my ambitions (which, I think, she found refreshing!) and with her robust and intelligent teaching, found myself at the Royal Academy of Music.  I've played with many orchestras now over the last twenty something years and have been a member of the BBC Philharmonic for most of those.  

I've stayed in touch with Alison over the years- I still find her advice and support invaluable.  What no CV will tell you is how emotionally intuitive she is and I think that for students of a vocational age, that kind of understanding is vital.  It certainly helped me.  

Alison has been a phenomenal cello teacher for my son for 7 years. She has always understood him and sees his potential. Her approach is encouraging and sensitive to conflicting teenage priorities and, importantly always centered on musicianship and values for the long term. She has built a mutually respectful rapport with my son and he is always challenged at exactly the right level. He loves her lessons and it is a privilege to work with a musician of her calibre.

Alison is a deeply inspiring, attentive teacher who taught me for 5 years whilst I was a student at Tonbridge School. Our lessons together were a real refuge from school life and a place of great growth for me.

The tools that Alison patiently passed on gave me the opportunity to consider pursuing a career as a cellist, even after my time at University. Now using these tools professionally, I increasingly realise the value of Alison's guidance during our time together, and regularly work with others who have also studied with her. I am certain I would not be the musician I am now without her teaching.

Alison coached my son for grade 8 cello and it was amazing how she clearly charted his progress and took him up a steep learning curve despite having virtual lessons.
She distinctly identified the areas he needed to improve, and when she did mock exams, it was absolutely clear how he lost any marks, and he became extremely insightful of his playing and any mistakes he made and most importantly, how to put it right.
I wish she was closer by to have taken lessons in person but my son was so pleased he had the opportunity to fine-tune his cello skills at the final exam. Thank you.

Since Alison began tutoring our son he has gained in repertoire and aptitude, with each lesson explaining in manageable steps concepts and techniques. Alison’s vast knowledge and skill, being an inspirational musician herself, gave our son motivation to progress. Alison was able to select pieces that suited his development and personal musicianship individually, which captivated him to practice.

Our son progressed quickly through grades with distinctions and attained a highly coveted music scholarship at a top independent boys school with Alison’s motivation, support and flexibile scheduling with additional lessons online when necessary. Her In-depth knowledge of the ABRSM curriculum is outstanding, added together with infectious humour combines to make a learning environment that is impactful for young minds with an appetite for voracious learning. I strongly recommend Alison as a cello teacher, at any level.

Alison Moncrieff-Kelly is the most nurturing and brilliant of cello teachers. She helps me see the positives in my playing each week, showing me how to improve my technique and my expression and phrasing so I can measure dynamics better. As an ABRSM examiner and content author, she is able give me the inside track on how to perform scales and pieces with confidence and how to gain top marks in orals. I couldn’t want for a more experienced, inspiring and dedicated teacher.