Talking With Teachers

Associate Professor Goetz Richter returns to present this series of masterclasses and discussions with notable pedagogues throughout 2024. Each evening brings together Associate Professor Dr. Richter and one of his learned colleagues for an evening of open discussion surrounding string playing, pedagogy, performance, and culture. This is a rare opportunity to connect and learn with celebrated teachers and performers who are not normally available to the general public. Each evening will feature 3 students performing in a practical workshop as our guests demonstrate and contextualise the application of their ideas, their pedagogy, and their philosophies.

Talking with Teachers covers topics of instrumental learning and teaching, details of technique and development, practice and performance and the role of parents and schools in the development of string players. There will be opportunity for engaged discussion with the audience, teachers, parents and students. The discussion will be contextualised by a practical workshop.

These events are for students, performers, teachers, supporters of students, and anyone else who is interested in musical teaching and learning at the highest levels. Come with questions, queries and insights to share and discuss with these fascinating pedagogues and the attending audience. Tickets allow either attendance at the event, or a link to view the event anywhere in the world.

Seminar 1- 6:30pm (Tuesday 2 April) - Guest - Timothy Kantor
Seminar 2 - 6:30pm (Tuesday 18 June)- Guest Alex Henery - Principal Bass SSO
Seminar 3 - 6:30pm (Tuesday 24 September) - Janet Davies - Violin - Lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium
Seminar 4 - 6:30pm (Tuesday 19 November) - Georg Pedersen- Cello

Seminar 4- Georg Pedersen

Georg Pedersen is one of Australia’s foremost cello teachers and performers. He has given well over 3000 concerts in 24 countries, as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and principal orchestra player. He was solo cellist in The Royal Danish Philharmonic, one of the ten best orchestras in the world according to Karajan, Bernstein, Klemperer, Celibidache and Kleiber, and founder of the Dania Quartet and the Copenhagen Chamber soloists. He has recorded 18 CDs on 10 labels, and is broadcast worldwide. He has performed and taught widely in Europe, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, and tours for the ABC and the Department of Foreign Affairs. In Australia Georg has been Guest Principal Cellist with the ACO, the SSO and the AOBO orchestras. He has performed with the Soloists of Australia, The Australian Piano Trio, The Sydney String Quartet, Flederman Ensemble, The Sydney Trio and performed and recorded as soloist with every Australian ochestra.

Georg’s interest in how young cellists learn and develop has always been a main force in his professional life, and his many students win international, national and local competitions and scholarships every year. He has students in every orchestra in London, Manchester, Copenhagen, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc., and former students of his are Professors in European Conservatoria.

Georg studied with Paul Tortelier in Paris and Gregor Piatigorsky in Los Angeles, and chamber music with the Prague Quartet and the Vlack Quartet. He worked with many European composers, including Shostakovich. In Australia he has received 8 grants from the Australia Council, and has commissioned and premiered many new works from Australia’s foremost composers.

As a pedagogue Georg is up to date with the latest developments through his many contacts throughout the world, and is a strong contributor himself, as his many students inspire him to create new teaching and learning material as needed, which in turn allows them to become even better students.