CELLO LESSONS

Each lesson will focus on technical, musical, listening, memorization, and sight-reading skills for every student. Each lesson is carefully planned and tailored according to the student’s abilities and needs.
As the student progresses and develops, Sofiko will look to introduce elements of historical background, style and harmony in order to encompass a fuller understanding of the instrument and so as to develop the student’s musical education.
For junior beginners (3,5 - 9 years old), in order to establish good technique, gain a wide range of repertoire and to maintain a strong rate of progression, it is recommended that lessons are arranged on a twice weekly basis. It isn’t just the student either, the parents are involved in the learning process too, encouraging regular home practice to achieve the best results possible.
Each lesson will focus on technical, musical, listening, memorization, and sight-reading skills for every student. Each lesson is carefully planned and tailored according to the student’s abilities and needs.
As the student progresses and develops, Sofiko will look to introduce elements of historical background, style and harmony in order to encompass a fuller understanding of the instrument and so as to develop the student’s musical education.
For junior beginners (3,5 - 9 years old), in order to establish good technique, gain a wide range of repertoire and to maintain a strong rate of progression, it is recommended that lessons are arranged on a twice weekly basis. It isn’t just the student either, the parents are involved in the learning process too, encouraging regular home practice to achieve the best results possible.
Her students are national and international competition and festival award winners, regularly giving concerts all around England including central London. Successfully joined ProCoda, London Youth symphony orchestra, RCM and RAM Junior Departments.

2013

Bulgary international competition. 1st prize in cello category and 2nd prize in chamber music. Katarina Khan (cello).

2018

Sutton Music Festival 1st priz,e Larry Jang (Instrumental –Violoncello solo, Grade 6 &7), Redhill and Reigate Festival – 1st prize Alexander Stevenson cello solo, 2st prize in duo category with Mila Stevenson.
Kingston Upon Thames Festival - Alicia de Silva 1st prize.

2019

National Children Orchestra – Alexander Stevenson.
ProCorda – Alexander Stevenson.
National Youth Orchestra – Euna Oh.
Royal College of Music, Junior Department – Euna Oh
Horsham Performers Platform - Larry Jang (Distinction), Charlie Jang (Commended).
Sutton Music Festival – 1st prize Alicia de Silva.
Kingston Upon Thames Festival -Larry Jang 1st prize, Charlie Jang.

2020

North International Music Competition – Larry Jang 2nd prize.
Kingston Upon Thames Festival – 1st Prize in Grade 1 category and 1st prize in beginner class for Ray-Chinh.
Sutton Music Festival – Distinction performance, Grade 2 and 3 class, Katherine Ajaz.
Sutton Music Festival – 2nd place an outstanding performance Own choise class, Katherine Ajaz.

2021

London Young Musician season 3, grade 1 Gold prize for Ray-Chinh.
London Young Musician annual championship under 9 Silver prize Ray-Chinh.
Royal Academy of Music, Junior Department – Oregon Thia Gerrits.
Royal College of Music, Junior Department – Larry Yang.
Putney High School Music Festival under 9, 2nd prize Ray-Chinh.

2022

Successfully joined Royal college of music - Katherine Ajaz, Ray-Chinh, Charlie Yang.
In 2022 moved to Oxfordshire.

2023

Golden medal for JuYoung at Sutton Music Festival.

2024

Eton Honorary Music Exhibition award for Richard Huang.

Join Sofiko’s cello class now. Few places available.


LESSONS

 

TESTIMONIALS

Anna Kirby

«Sofiko has taught our daughter (a complete beginner) cello from the age of five. Sofiko is patient, methodical and detailed and only two years later our daughter, now seven, is playing repertoire of grade 6 to 7 level to a high standard giving her a solid base for developing her technique and repertoire further. What Sofiko is also wonderful at is thinking about the bigger picture of performance opportunities so that her pupils become well-rounded and articulate musicians right from the start. I cannot recommend her more highly!»

Anna Kirby

Bonnie Ma

«My son has been learning cello with Sofiko for the last year. We are so lucky to find such a lovely teacher like her. She is an inspiring teacher and likes to challenge her students. My son has learnt a lot so far, not just playing pieces but understanding music in a wider context. During lockdown we have been doing lessons on Skype which have all been delivered seamlessly and professionally, Sofiko has taken the time to send pieces to practise and extra tips. My son enjoys studying with Sofiko. She is very helpful and patient, highly recommended.»

Leanne. Mama of Alicia

«Sofiko is my daughter’s very first cello teacher at the age of 7 and we very much look forward to seeing her every week. Her teaching is artist, imaginative and inspiring. My daughter achieved many great things with Sofiko including distinction in Abrsm exams and first prize in cello solo competition at the Kingston music festival and Sutton music festival. Sofiko’s passion with music is infectious and has inspired my daughter into acquiring greater challenges»

Ms Cheng

«Sofiko is an exceptional music teacher and a wonderful person. An intelligent and highly skilled cellist, she is patient and creative in finding ways to communicate musical direction and technique. She motivates students by expanding their skills, sharing useful anecdotes and great music. We highly recommend Sofiko. My son were offered a place at Royal Academy of Music junior department in 2021.»

Lan Chen

«We’ve been with this wonderful young lady for over two years now. With her help and teaching, my DD has grown a solid interest into cello, not to mention her feeling about Sofiko. Sofiko is always well prepared, patient, calm and ready to deal with any emotional disruption. The best of all is her explanation about the music piece. She would make it into a story. We were so lucky to have her

Marina Smith

«Sofiko is an outstanding music teacher on several different levels: on one hand, she is inspiring as a musician in her own right, on the other hand, she is an outstanding tutor. She is patient with children and quite focused and results-oriented at the same time. She’s been teaching my children for 9 years and achieved results we’ve never thought possible. Highly reccomended!»

Maria Bashieva

«Sofiko is a highly experienced, friendly and knowledgeable cello teacher. Since starting lessons with Sofiko, my son has progressed a lot more than with his previous teachers and is enjoying his lessons enormously. Her attention to detail is incredible and she always finds the best ways to explain tricky technical points so that a 10 year old can understand. I thoroughly recommend Sofiko

Gabi Jang

«Sofiko has been teaching my boys since they were age 5 and 6. My oldest son’s grade exam results are always Distinction. Apart of awards he already got in a past now we are preparing for RCM Junior department audition, Viena Music and Harrow International competitions. My youngest is 5 years old and he started Cello with Sofiko 9 months ago and he already did two concerts and got 1st prize at Kingston Festival. I am so happy the way Sofiko is teaching. She is very organised and her piece choices are full of variety so kids never get bored. I do strongly recommend her