My name is Mrs Kalinowka and I am the violin teacher at Abbey Grange Church of England Academy.
I began my musical journey when I was 7 years old at the Primary School of Music in Gdynia (Poland). In 2001 I graduated from the Academy of Music in Poland with a degree in Master of Arts and a certificate of instrumental pedagogies (specialisation: teaching violin). After graduation I participated in many violin and chamber courses, music festivals, concerts in Poland and abroad, I also started teaching which quickly became my passion.
From 2004 I started working in England, playing many concerts as part of symphonic and chamber orchestras. I also started teaching violin classes at Leeds College of Music and other schools in the West Yorkshire areas. I am very passionate about the violin and getting children involved in music from an early age.
There are many excellent lifelong benefits of playing violin and the physical, mental and social benefits are well-known. Musical training improves memory and attention span, reading skills, language processing, stress relief, and speech. It stimulates the brain, improving abstract reasoning skills which are essential for maths and science. Many studies show a direct correlation between musical training and academic success. Learning to play violin can also build self-reliance, self-esteem and self-awareness.
My method of teaching children is to ensure that they learn in a fun environment and start to see results from an early stage. I use fantastic books which include lots of duets in classical, pop, rock and jazz styles which the children (and parents) really enjoy. I am very experienced in preparing and entering pupils for ABRSM exams, performances and concerts. Children who play the violin may join the string group or school orchestra and enjoy making music together as well as developing new relationships and team building skills.
