Hi. I’ve always wanted to be a musician, from before I even started the piano at the age of 5, and later in life the famous Yossi Zivoni described me as a “born violinist”! I’ve studied at several of Europe’s music schools & conservatoires, including the RNCM, GSMD and the Utrecht School of the Arts, and played with many orchestras and other groups, including tours with Glyndebourne Opera, 2 years with Phantom of the Opera in Holland, and a year with the Dutch Radio Chamber Orchestra. I’ve also performed for the late Queen, (then) Prince Charles, Neil Kinnock and others!
I play violins & violas made by my father, Robert Vale, who died in 1996.
In 1998, for health reasons, I decided to take a break from music and gained a degree in Chinese from Oxford University. Then a few years later I returned to music, teaching violin, viola, piano, theory and running ensembles. With fresh eyes I began to write materials for my pupils – and the Hey Presto! series was born, followed some years later by Top Ten. I’ve loved writing these series and particularly enjoy creating the audio tracks for the tutor books, as well as arranging music for various combinations of instruments.
Other things I love? Gadgets, languages – I have a degree in Chinese and a smattering of several other languages – dogs, (I have a gorgeous border collie, Bonnie), walks in the Shropshire hills where I live now, jigsaw puzzles, the colour turquoise, dark chocolate..!
First book in the Hey Presto! tutor series for viola, with an exciting new look and fabulous new audio tracks! Featuring the characters Presto, Bravo…
First book in the Hey Presto! tutor series for viola, with an exciting new look and fabulous new audio tracks! Featuring the characters Presto, Bravo and Poco, this takes the beginner viola player on an exciting journey of musical discovery.
Starting with plucked open strings, by the end of the book the student will be playing simple bowed pieces using three fingers. Some of the pieces (marked with a 𝄞) can be played with violinists using Hey Presto! for Violin, Book 1 Bronze – so beginners can play with their violin-playing friends!
With imaginative and varied pieces to engage the emotions, amusing characters, illustrations, and clear, concise explanations these books are highly enjoyable and effective and give students all of the basic information they will need. Book 1 takes the complete beginner to approximately ABRSM Prep Test standard.
