Private Violin Classes
Graeme Norris
Graeme Norris is Managing Director of Master Music Consulting & The Pattaya Violin Centre. In Thailand since 2021, Graeme is in high demand as a performer and teacher, regularly providing expert guidance at music camps and performing chamber music with Om & Friends and Pro Musica Bangkok. He regularly provides expert guidance at music camps and performs chamber music with Om & Friends and Pro Musica Bangkok. Graeme has also conducted advanced violin masterclasses and orchestral coaching at the Thailand Association for Talent Development, directed an Advanced Violin Program at the Suzuki Institute of Indonesia, and coached individuals and chamber music groups at Music Camps by OMRI Music Studio.
A seasoned orchestral leader, Graeme Norris most recently held a position in the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, performing in the Concertmaster positions from 2015 - 2021 and as Guest Concertmaster during 2014. From 2006 to 2010 Graeme was Associate Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and from 2010 to 2015, Sub-Principal 2nd Violin with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also performed as a Guest Principal with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Graeme has lectured at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Edith Cowan University), the UWA Conservatorium of Music (University of Western Australia), Elder Conservatorium of Music (University of Adelaide), and as a faculty member of the Adelaide, West Australian and Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestras.
In addition, Graeme was instrumental in transforming the string section of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and advised in artistic planning and training structures.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Graeme graduated with a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts and spent two years on full scholarship at the Australian National Academy of Music. His principal teachers were Alice Waten and Julian Quirit.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Graeme has performed in Australia, New Zealand and throughout much of Asia. He has directed ensembles in the Melbourne and Adelaide International Festivals and appeared as a soloist with the Melbourne, Adelaide, and West Australian Symphony Orchestras, the Malaysian Philharmonic Chamber Players, Melbourne and Adelaide Youth Orchestras and Orchestra Victoria.
Private Violin Classes
Pongpan Phirasaksopol (Kru Beer)
Pongpan Phirasaksopol is a highly accomplished performer and teacher of violin. She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts (Music) Degrees in Violin Performance from Mahidol University, College of Music and also completed the pre-college Young Artist Program Music in 2003.
Pongpan's exceptional teaching has earned her several professional appointments, including Violin Teaching Assistant at the College of Music, Mahidol University and as a violin teacher at Aum Auree Music School. She has held positions in numerous ensembles including the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Mahidol University Symphony Orchestra, Salaya (2001-2007), and Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra (SAYOWE), Bangkok, Thailand (2003-4), where she served as the Concertmaster. She has also performed with the World Peace Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian National Youth Orchestra.
Pongpan conducted further studies in Violin and Chamber music and has performed in many countries such as Germany, Austria, Hungry, Switzerland Norway, Belgium, Canada and Japan.
During her studies, Pongpan's dedication and skill quickly became evident as she won the Gold Medal Prize at the Settrad Thai Youth Musician Competition in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2004, she also claimed the 1st Prize in the String Quartet category at the Thailand String Competition. Her international recognition soared in 2005 when she won the 1st Prize at the International Youth Chamber Competition (IYCC) in Interlaken, Switzerland.
Throughout her academic journey, Pongpan trained under the guidance of renowned music instructors at Mahidol University including Mr. Sittichai Pengcharoen, Mrs. Inga Cause, and Mr. Johannese Nittka, and had the opportunity to attend masterclasses and perform alongside renowned musicians such as Midori Goto, Albert Fisher, and Vanessa Mae.