WELCOME TO SYDNEY STRING STUDIO MY DYNAMIC NEW STUDIO of STRING PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE Professional String Tuition now open offering ONLINE LESSONS via ZOOM |
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I AM KIRTLEY LEIGH
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I AM PASSIONATE I AMVIBRANT I AM DEDICATED I AM JOYFUL |
I am here to offer you my love of music and my knowledge
music is my life
I have recently been appointed at the prestigious
King’s School, Sydney as Tutor in Violin and Viola, Chamber Music and Orchestral Director. 
I am a solo violinist, chamber music artist, recitalist, teacher and adjudicator. I have an international career spanning some 37 years. I am American born, dual National of Australia, and graduated BMus (Hons) from Indiana University Bloomington in 1983 as a student of the legendary violinist Josef Gingold. My past teachers have included pedagogues Dorothy DeLay and Josef Silverstein. I have had extensive coaching in Chamber Music with the iconic Beaux Arts Trio as well as violinist James Buswell, cello maestro Janos Starker, and jazz legend Stephane Grappelli, amongst many others. ABOUT KIRTLEY and her CAREER I left my nearly-completed Master’s Degree in 1983 at 22 to accept the Associate Concertmaster position in the Hong Kong Philharmonic. I have lived and performed in over 23 countries since, including throughout Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia. I immigrated to Australia in 2003 after a long career based in London UK. In 2004, I established my highly respected Chamber Music Series in Cairns, Paradise Concerts International Chamber Music Series. I have been Artistic Director since its inception, and performed for 16 seasons as solo/chamber music violinist in the series with wonderful music colleagues and friends whom I invited to Australia from my international associations. I have performed onstage with, or for luminaries of all musical worlds, from Pavarotti and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to John Travolta, to Streisand, John Denver, Tony Bennett, Lynda Ronstadt, David Bowie, Prince, Diane Cilento, William Barton, and more recently, on stage in improv with Cieran Gribbon, lead guitar and vocalist of INEX. I have performed Command Performances for Heads of State, PMs and Royalty, including Tony Blair, Princess Diana, Queen Sophia of Spain, King Olav of Norway, Mahatmir Mohamed, PM of Malaysia, Sir Michael Somare, PM of Papua New Guinea, Quentin Bryce, and Anna Bligh. In addition to my Chamber Music Series, I also tour as soloist, and have a thriving Private Teaching Studio. Many of my students have gone on to major Conservatories and Orchestral positions in Australia and abroad, and one, Khalida de Ridder, is now a soloist based in Europe. I was Head of Strings at Jubilee Christian College, Atherton, Queensland. I also teach and perform on viola. I coach cello, theory and music history when required.I have enjoyed a bountiful career as a soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, teacher, orchestral leader, adjudicator and mentor. My teaching concentrates on intermediate to advanced levels, through to Diploma levels, with particular emphasis placed on the higher technical and musical levels, preparation for Conservatory entrance, orchestral auditions, and recital coaching.. See my website sydneystringstudio.com for more info on how to join my Sydney String Studio. |
Sydney String Studio 
Sydney String Studio is now OPEN and taking enrollments. All lessons are conducted ONLINE presently - adhering to Government Guidelines. 
Kirtley has enjoyed a long career performing in many countries. She was invited to perform for Singapore’s National Day celebrations in the Grand Lobby of the iconic Raffles Hotel in 2018.
Kirtley is a student of the legendary pedagogue, Joseph Gingold. Here pictured after a performance masterclass with Gingold and the great soloist, Henryk Szering.
The Great PAVAROTTI needs no introduction! Kirtley joined the orchestra on his World Tour and celebrated backstage!
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Start spreading the word!The region's premiere Sydney String Studio has ARRIVED! Kirtley has performed, taught, given Masterclasses, led Orchestras, given Recitals and Concerts and perused her aspirations in the study of Violin playing. She has brought her worldwide expertise and years of experience to North Rocks, and is thrilled and excited now open her Studio in 2020. Her enthusiasm for teaching the performers and recitalists and soloists of tomorrow is palpable. She has the energy and joie d' vivre to impart all that is great about string playing to her classes. Not only violinists benefit, but viola is offered as well. If you choose to hone your musical skills, technical studies, and learn performance practices from an active performer who adores everything about violin and teaching, then you have found the right teacher! Kirtley is passionate about the violin, and it shows!
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