Candida Connolly

Despite beginning her career as a teacher of Western classical violin, Candida Connolly is best known for her contribution to the now-thriving Indian music scene in Britain.

Following a year in India, training with her guru N. Gopalakrishna Iyer (teacher of saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath), Candida made it her aim to integrate Indian music into the mainstream of British education. She teaches Indian music at keys stages 2, 3 and 4 as well as incorporating all aspects of the raga and tala into her regular violin and piano teaching.

She has worked with Trinity College of Music and the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Indian Cultural Centre) in London to set up a degree pathway for Indian music at Trinity and is currently working with the Exam body (Trinity Guildhall) to create Certificate Qualifications in Indian music. Her two books published by Schott Music - Indian Melodies for violin and for alto saxophone - form the basis of her workshop sessions.

Candida enjoys working with children, students and teachers with all levels of experience, and her workshops are adaptable to suit either performance or classroom teaching.
 

Indian Melodies for Violin: ‘...it is avoyage into the unknown for many Western musicians and a thrilling challenge at the same time ... this one could be a surprising best-seller’. - MI Pro, July 2004