Ivan

Ivan is a friendly and supportive music teacher offering lessons in both clarinet and piano. He works with students of all ages and adapts his teaching carefully to each student’s goals, pace, and personality—whether they are learning just for fun or working towards grade exams. He helps students build strong musical foundations, confidence, and a genuine enjoyment of making music.

Ivan offers impressive blend of performance and teaching experience. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, earning a First Class BMus with a full scholarship and continuing with a Master of Arts (Distinction, DipRam) under the Hill Foundation Scholarship. He has trained with leading clarinetists including Christopher Richards, Mark van de Wiel, Benjamin Mellefont, Sonia Sielaff, Chi-Yu Mo, and Laurent Slimane.

Teaching experience

Ivan has been teaching in London for more than five years, guiding clarinet students through all ABRSM grades up to diploma level, and piano students up to Grades 6–7. He has experience working with younger children and creates lessons that are engaging, supportive, and carefully adapted to each student’s individual way of learning.

He loves sharing his passion for music and helping each student achieve their personal goals. At the start of lessons, he works with students (and parents, where appropriate) to set clear targets—whether that’s structured exam preparation, building confidence and focus, or simply enjoying music without the pressure of exams. He sees exams as a great way to set goals and track progress, but also makes sure lessons go beyond the syllabus so that students develop a real love for music and confidence in performing.

What makes Ivan unique as a teacher is his genuine passion for music—it has always been a central part of his life, and he loves passing that enthusiasm on to his students. He encourages students to explore pieces they enjoy and nurtures curiosity and creativity alongside developing strong technique. Drawing on the expertise of his distinguished teachers, Ivan has developed his own teaching style, combining technical guidance with expressive musicality. Many of his students have passed their grades with distinctions and merits, and some have gone on to study at the Junior Academy.

Performing experience

Ivan has performed with leading orchestras including:
• London Symphony Orchestra (extra work, scholar, 2025)
• Britten Sinfonia (extra work, 2025)
• Orpheus Sinfonia (fellowship and extra work, 2025)
• BBC National Orchestra of Wales (trial, 2023–2024)
• Royal Opera & Ballet (2024, extra work)
• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (extra list)
• Sinfonia Smith Square (2024–2025, formerly Southbank Sinfonia)
• London Firebird Orchestra (2022)

He has also participated in side-by-side orchestral training projects with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (2024), Britten Sinfonia (2025), and London Sinfonietta (2021, 2023), and has been a member of the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra (2019–present), Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra (2018–2020), and Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra (2020).

Awards and competitions

Ivan’s achievements include:
• Countess of Munster Musical Trust Award (2023)
• Drake Calleja Scholarship (2022)
• Hattori Foundation Senior Awards (2019, 2020)
• Cherubim Trust awards (London, 2019–2024)
• Gartow Foundation awards (Germany, 2017–2019)
• Special Talent at the International Music Festival Clarinetissimo (Bruges, Belgium, 2019)

He has also been recognised in competitions, including:
• Highly commended, Craxton Chamber Music Competition with Hiraeth trio (2023)
• 1st Prize, Buffet Crampon Competition (London, 2021)
• Winner, National Competition Bolshiyanov (Krasnodar, Russia, 2017)
• Winner, International Clarinet Competition Weber Clarinet (Russia, 2017)
• 1st Prize in Chamber Music, International Competition Dolzhikova (Moscow, 2018)

With Ivan’s guidance, students of all levels can build confidence, develop their skills, and discover the joy of playing music, drawing inspiration from his exceptional musicianship and growing professional career.