London Music Colleges

[kj77]

Who are the best teachers/professors at the London (UK) music colleges? From what I hear, and living her so i know who are the leading younger players at the main venues, here is a list for anyone thinking of coming to the UK to study (its a lot of money, so hope we can all make this helpful)
Royal Academy of Music: Joanna MacGregor, Christopher Elton, Imogen Cooper, Hamish Milne, Michael Dussek.
Royal College of Music: Vanessa Latarche, John Blakely, Ruth Nye, Andrew Ball, Roger Vignoles
Trinity Laban Conservatoire: Douglas Finch, Christine Croshaw, Philip Fowke, Eugene Asti
Guildhall School of Music and Drama: Ronan O'Hora, Martin Roscoe, Paul Roberts, Richard Goode, Graham Johnson

Let's really get a forum on some of these, and any not mentioned who friends feel should be added here...

[awesom_o]

I don't think you'll get many people willing to share personal opinions on such powerful figures in a public forum.

I know quite a few of these people well. You have left out some names. Tatiana Sarkissova at RAM, for instance. Some of the names you have mentioned are more 'visiting professors' who come a few times a year to work with a small number of students and perhaps give a masterclass or two, rather than permanent, regular faculty who you could study with on a weekly basis.


I will say that of the names you mentioned, I personally consider Philip Fowke, and Hamish Milne to be two of the finest and most underrated British pianists of their generation. Both are incredibly warm, clever, and helpful as teachers, as well as being brilliant on the concert stage. 

[kj77]

Comments such as yours in forums like this ensure these underrated musicians are given more platform. I have met Philip Fowke and agree with you you absolutely. I mean for people to share positive experiences of those they have met here, so prospective students going to the various colleges might get some pointers. Positive pointers. I agree, let's have no negative comments. Horses for courses.
I feel Christine Croshaw, at Trinity Laban with Philip Fowke, is equally underrated. Seen both in action and left open jawed!

[polishookm]

I'd say the best teacher is always (and maybe even only) the teacher who helps you to move ahead in that magical way where you almost can't believe you're making as much progress as you are. If you've experienced this then you know exactly what it feels like and how great it can be.

Sometimes that kind of teacher - someone who brings the "magic" to teaching and learning - is a well-known public figure or an instructor in a well-known music program. Sometimes not. Sometimes they're not known at all or only by a few cognescenti. In just about every case, working with that kind of teacher will like a collaboration.

[rovikered]

Amongst the staff at the Royal College of Music is Dmitri Alexeev who has just been appointed Professor of Advanced Piano Playing there.
rk