Roland Melia
Teacher of conducting
Learn to conduct with clarity and conviction.
Roland Melia studied conducting with Ilya Musin at the St Petersburg Conservatoire.
He now teaches Musin’s unique gestural language to musicians of all ages and at all stages of their development.
“Roland taught me how to ‘sing into my arms’ in order to embody musical character, whilst describing the clearest possible gestural framework within which players can achieve excellent ensemble.”
Tom Fetherstonhaugh – conductor
“‘Roland’s rigorous and comprehensive tuition was invaluable to me.”
Donal McCann – Organist and Head of Chapel Music, Winchester College
“Teaching a conducting pedigree that is second to none.”
Matthew Barley – cellist
“…Roland’s exceptional technical skill deploys gestures that are both utterly clear and liberating. He generates an unusual sense of security and empowerment that allows the orchestra to consistently fulfil its potential with flexibility and spontaneity.”
Darragh Morgan – violinist
Teaching
I offer my students a route towards an experience of conducting at the highest possible level; one that exists as a form of uniquely ‘collaborative’ musical leadership.
I learned this route from the legendary pedagogue, Ilya Musin in the St Petersburg Conservatoire.
I teach individual students of all ages beginning from sixth form through University and Conservatoire and finally offer mentoring as they begin professional life.
Having also delivered group workshops to groups of younger students at Kings Canterbury, Rugby and Eton Schools, as well as to coaches of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, to trainee music teachers at Homerton College, Cambridge and to music staff at Wells Cathedral School, I am very versatile in my approach.
In addition to structured lessons which focus on technique and its application, I judiciously guide my students through the usual challenges of score analysis and preparation, rehearsal planning and execution, development of aural skills and programming. I also supervise my students’ rehearsals and performances and give continuous advice and support as they progress towards their declared targets. Taking an active role in these areas ensures the specific application of the tenants of my teaching whilst working under the pressure of real time music making.
My teaching focuses on the embodiment of musical character in order to present a physical image of the score, addressing the moment-to-moment development of character and emotional life of the music, whilst solving questions of pulse, articulation the weight and texture of sound and the direction of the phrase.
Through the practice of specific exercises, students will be taught how to identify their most appropriate gesture in order to clearly convey their understanding of a musical character’s gesture.
With a wide range of gestural alternatives that students learn to apply more and more specifically, they will develop the ability to ‘look like the music sounds’.
What it looks like to study with me
You can study with me, most commonly, in a one-on-one situation as well as in small groups (between 2 and 6).
You can study with me via Zoom, in my home town of Frome or in your home town.
You can join small gatherings of students at various levels of development, in a variety of locations in UK, Europe and further afield.
Individual lessons last from one hour and upwards and ad hoc gatherings of students can be joined which do typically range from 3 hours in one day to a small number of days in length.
I offer all of the following;
- A free introductory lesson to absolute beginners.
- A one-off overview of Musin’s technical innovations for conductors already on a path, yet wishing to consider ways to up their game.
- A full commitment to bring beginners from the starting block to full professional maturity.