Adam Newman
Teaching Philosophy
The new generation of musicians face profound challenges, ones that I firmly believe are surmountable and well within my ability to address. The endless beauty and paramount relevance of the viola repertoire deserve a new wave of young musicians who are well-equipped to pass on this heritage, old and new, to the communities they serve. My mission as an educator is to provide students with the tools they need to cultivate a wholesome musicianship: a healthy physical relationship with the instrument and a strong, sustainable connection to the creative process of music-making, regardless of repertoire or concert format.
Beyond technical expertise, I emphasize the importance of holistic artistic development, guiding students toward careers that embrace versatility, creative risk-taking, and a deeper connection to audiences. I am eager to contribute my experience and vision to support students in developing their artistry and professional resilience.
Biography
Adam began his musical studies in Liverpool aged 7, learning a variety of instruments before focusing on the viola.
He then moved to London to study with Philip Dukes and Louise Hopkins before continuing his studies in Europe with Tatjana Masurenko, Lars Anders Tomter, Claudio Martinez Mehner and Rainer Schmidt, as well as Kim Kashkashian in the USA.
He plays on a viola by Bertrand Galen 2009.
Degrees
G.D Viola Performance, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA (Kim Kashkashian)
M.A Viola Performance, Yale University, New Haven, CT
M.M Viola Performance, Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, NO (Lars Anders Tomter)
CAS Diploma Viola Performance and Chamber Music, Basel Academy of Music, Basel, CH (Rainer Schmidt & Claudio Martinez Mehner)
Postgraduate Diploma Viola Performance, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, UK (Louise Hopkins)
Performance certificate Viola Performance, Hochschule fur Musik, Leipzig, DE (Tatjana Masurenko)
B.M Viola Performance, Royal Academy of Music, London, UK (Philip Dukes)