Sparkle Ip
Sparkle Ip graduated from the Royal College of Music with a master's degree, where he studied under Richard Lester, a renowned cellist, chamber musician and educator, he is also the principal cellist of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. During his time in London, he participated in many professional projects such as RCM symphony orchestra with Sir Antonio Pappano, RCM Super string Sunday, musicals and film music recording.
Before he further his education at the RCM, he studied his bachelor's degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, where he met and studied under the guidance of Nikki Thomas, an influential and important teacher to Sparkle as a cellist and musician, his passion and love for the cello were greatly nurtured and it has grown ever since. Nikki Thomas was a student of the legendary cellist Jacqueline du Pré and the influential cello educator William Pleeth in the UK. During his study time in RWCMD, his cello playing improved drastically, which strongly amazed and impressed upon the teachers and students alike. He also established himself as a role model to his peers at the RWCMD. He believes that passion, resilience and love for the cello is the key to success in the learning process.
Besides studying under Nikki and Richard, he also took masterclass and lessons with some renowned cellists during the time in the UK, including Alice Neary, Leonard Elschenbroich, Rosie Biss, Amanda Truelove, David Cohen, Tim Walden and Stefan Popov.
Education
Master of cello performance, Royal College of Music
Bachelor of music(Honours) in cello performance, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Performance Experience
RCM Symphony Orchestra
Working Experience
HKSO, 2023 - 2024
Gallery
Video
Schumann: Cello Concerto 1st Mov and Cassado Cello Suite 1st Mov
J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No.2 Prelude and Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major 1st Mov
César Franck: Sonata in A major, 1st movement
Teaching Location
Live Tutorial
Lesson
Cello | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Tuition | $800 | $800 | $800 |
| Notes |
| ||
Cello online lesson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Tuition | $600 | $600 | $600 |
| Notes |
| ||
Level:
All Instrumental Lessons / Accompaniment
Beginner: Beginner - G. 4
Intermediate: G. 5 - G. 7
Advanced: G. 8 or above
Western Music Theory
Beginner: ABRSM Music Theory G. 5
Intermediate: ABRSM Music Theory G. 8
Advanced: Trinity College London AmusTCL or above
Chinese Music Theory
Beginner: Shanghai Conservatory of Music Theory
Beginner: Central Conservatory of Music Theory G. 1
Intermediate: Central Conservatory of Music Theory G. 2
Advanced: Not applicable
Private Lesson Booking Instructions
How to Book a Lesson
| Lesson Booking Procedure: | |
| 1. | Submit student information; The tutor will respond according to the information.Messages between student/tutor will be screenshotted or forwarded through M5 Music.＊ |
| 2. | Discuss and arrange the lesson time, location, tuition fee, etc. |
| 3. | The lesson will be confirmed after completing the payment of the Tuition of the First Lesson. |
| 4. | Take the lesson according to the booking time. |
| 5. | The second lesson and beyond are arranged by the student/tutor themselves. |
| ＊ | If the student/parent wants to contact the tutor directly before the payment, please read Is it Allowed to Contact the Tutor before Making Payment? |
Is it Allowed to Contact the Tutor before Making Payment?
Protecting tutors’ personal privacy is our job; Tutors need to avoid unnecessary leakage of privacy.
| Before student/parent makes payment: | |
| i. | Some tutors do NOT accept direct contact. |
| ii. | Some tutors will call student/parent with a “Hidden Number”.＊ |
| iii. | Some tutors accept to contact student/parent through various ways.＊ |
| ＊ | After contacting the tutor, if the student/parent intends to take a lesson, the tuition of the first lesson has to be paid to M5 Music before having lesson. |
Tuition of the First Lesson
The tuition of the first lesson is charged by M5 Music (accept Bank Transfer or FPS); Students do NOT need to pay additional fee for the first lesson.
Tuition of the Second Lesson and Beyond
Starting from the second lesson, please pay tuition directly to the tutor. Generally, four lessons will be calculated as one session. Please check with your tutor about the payment method for the second lesson and beyond.
No Free Trail Lesson
M5 Music and all tutors do NOT offer free trial lessons. All “trial lessons” are considered as the “first lesson”.
Student's Absence Notice
Student’s absent must be proposed 24 hours before the lesson time. Otherwise, it will be regarded as “Impromptu Absence”. Providing a make-up lesson or not will be decided by the tutor him/herself. Hereby declare, M5 Music will NOT provide refund for “Impromptu Absence” even if the tutor does not want to provide a make-up lesson.
Typhoons and Rainstorms Arrangement
If the first lesson is affected by typhoon and rainstorm warning, M5 Music can assist both parties to reschedule the lesson.
Refund Policy
We only provide a refund if the tutor is absent on the original booking time, and cannot provide a make-up lesson for the next 14 days. Apart from this, we do not accept any refund request.