Lizzie

Heya! I’m Lizzie, and I teach Violin, Viola and Piano. I studied Bachelor’s of Music Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, and graduated with Honours on the violin in July 2024. Since graduating, I have worked professionally doing weddings, orchestral performances, touring and other random side quests!

My violin education started at age 7 with my dad, Ralph Dawson, who is a professional violinist and worked with both the Ulster Orchestra (based in Ireland) and Opera North. Since completing my first Grade 8 at age 12, I have had lessons with Richard Howarth (ex-leader of Manchester Camerata) for a year, Dierdre Ward whilst at Junior RNCM, and Catherine Yates (Deputy Head of RNCM) whilst doing my degree. All of these amazing teachers have been key to developing my method of teaching.

Whilst at school in Sheffield, I would travel to Manchester on the weekends to attend the Junior Royal Northern College of Music on Saturday, and then Halle Youth on Sunday. I also would partake in the Senior Orchestra based in Sheffield, which is run by the Sheffield Music Hub.

I have also had the amazing opportunity to play concertos with different orchestras. In July 2023 I played the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with Sheffield Chamber Orchestra, and in March 2024 I played the Bruch Violin Concerto with both the Boyce Orchestra (based in Doncaster) and the Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra (based in Chesterfield). I also plan on playing Saint Saens’s Concerto no.3 in Summer 2027 with the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra!