About WSS
The Wee String School provides tailored one-on-one string instrumental tuition to students in the Aberdeen area, offering access to expert instruction to help you achieve your musical goals. Our online theory & composition, and history classes have been met with great enthusiasm from our students.
With the Aberdeen City Orchestra having now established a Youth Ensemble aimed at those Grade 5+, the Wee String School hopes to provide ensemble opportunities for those at Grade 4 level and below. For more information, please get in touch.
Our Tutors
Aden Mazur
Director
Teaches
- Violin (classical), intermediate-advanced
- Viola, intermediate-advanced
- Piano
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Music with Honours
- Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (with Distinction) in Violin Performance
- ABRSM Grade 8 Piano with Distinction
Biography
With over a decade of experience, Aden provides high-quality lessons in violin and viola from beginner to ABRSM Diploma level. Several of his former pupils have gone on to study music at conservatoires and universities. A skilled pianist and accompanist, Wee String School pupils benefit greatly from him being able to accompany them in lessons, performances and exams.
Other information
Aden is also the Chairperson of the Aberdeen City Orchestra, where he has established the ACO Youth Ensemble. He is the Leader of the Inverurie Orchestra, sits on the music committee of the North East of Scotland Music School and, in 2022, co-founded the Granite Ensemble and Music Aberdeen.
Aden is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the Educational Institute of Scotland.
Megan Cormack
Teaches
- Violin (classical/traditional)
- Viola
- Piano
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Music with Honours
Biography
Megan, a multi-instrumentalist and singer, is a regular performing musician in the North-East of Scotland. While studying at the RSAMD (now RCS) junior conservatoire, she accepted a place to study at the University of Aberdeen, where she graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music with Honours. Her final recital featured Hindemith's unaccompanied Viola Sonata, and early music performed on a Baroque Viola.
Other information
Megan likes to be involved in community music. She is a member of the Aberdeen City Orchestra and performs alongside many other ensembles. Megan also enjoys directing and has worked with local theatre companies including productions with the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Megan is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the Educational Institute of Scotland.
Faith Ockwell
Teaches
- Violin (classical/folk)
- Viola
- Piano
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Music Education
- Master of Music
Biography
Faith Ockwell is a Seattle native and has been a resident of Aberdeen since September 2021.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Music Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Musicology and Composition from the University of Aberdeen. Faith has taught Orchestra, Choir, and private Violin lessons for over two decades. She has also spent time performing professionally as a Violinist and chorus singer.
Other information
She enjoys baking, camping, solving the Rubik’s cube, and long walks on the beach with her canine companion, Teddy.
Emma Bell
Teaches
- Violin (classical)
- Viola
Qualifications
- ABRSM Grade 8 Viola with Distinction
- CCEA AS & A Level music
Biography
Emma hails from Northern Ireland and is a final year BMus student at the University of Aberdeen. Emma spent much time alongside her studies tutoring A-level music and music theory before her move to Aberdeen in 2019. She now teaches violin and viola and hopes to continue her education and pursue a PhD in the coming years.
Other information
In her free time, Emma is an avid choral singer and a member of the University Chapel and Chamber choirs, alongside the Cathedral choirs of St Machars and St Andrews. She also plays with the Aberdeen City Orchestra, among other groups. Outside of her musical ventures, Emma is also an avid beachcomber and cold-water swimmer.
Sarah Matthews
Teaches
- Cello
- Double Bass
Qualifications
- BA Honours in Music Education
- Diploma from National Centre for Orchestral Studies
Biography
Sarah studied cello with Derek Simpson of the Aeolian String Quartet. After completing a BA honours in Music Education at Kingston University, she studied with Leonard Stehn at the Guildhall School of Music. She fully immersed herself in orchestral repertoire while studying for a diploma at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies, a course that operated through the University of London.
Following an exciting opportunity that led to travel across Australasia, she joined the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and later the Queensland Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras. On appointment as a Lecturer in Cello at Charles Darwin University, she became the Principal Cellist of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. She was also the cellist of the Orion Piano Trio, which performed regular local and national concerts. Her time in New Zealand led to memberships of the Auckland Philharmonia and later the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, where she was deeply involved in the educational outreach programme.
Current initiatives in music education have always been a fundamental part of Sarah’s teaching, and she has always maintained a private teaching studio to pass on her extensive experience and enrich young lives with the gift of music. She has conducted numerous ensembles, including youth orchestras, string groups and other instrumental and vocal groups.
Sarah has held director of music positions at Calrossy School in Australia and Kodaikanal International School in India and was head of strings at St.Michael’s Collegiate School (Australia). She was a professional bassist in the Australian Defence Force Bands.