Leslie Craven - Teaching

Leslie teaches Hannah Morgan

Whilst studying at the Royal College of Music Hannah Morgan won the Selmer Clarinet Prize there in 2006.

Leslie currently teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music where his students frequently achieve the highest honours. Recently two students won places (two years consecutively) in the fiercely competitive auditions for the Royal College of Music in London.

His former students include; the winner of a major international prize in South Africa, the "Sasol Prize" (worth approximately ten thousand pounds),also, winners of the "Normans Musical Instruments" Woodwind Prize at the R.W.C.M.D (two years in succession) and most recently the winner of the Walker prize.

Local competitions and Eisteddfods have seen Leslie's pupils scoop numerous winning places notably in the Rotary Club Prize: "Young Musician of the Year" for Wales, also the Caerphilly "Young Musician of the Year and the Vale of Glamorgan "Young Musician of the Year" in several different age categories.

His students have gained places in The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, N.Y.O. of Wales, National Children's Orchestra and numerous music scholarships to illustrious"public" schools and the Oxbridge Universities.

Leslie gives master classes in many establishments both in U.K. and overseas and also each year on the Clarinet Summer School at Liverpool Hope University.

He is the co-founder of the highly successful annual Clarinet Convention at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where each year he invites different exciting, internationally acclaimed, guest tutors to join the team.

Leslie has examined at all levels and gives consultation lessons to all standards including professionals who seek his advice for audition preparation.

To contact Leslie for a consultation lesson or master class - email him from the guest book page.

[Image: Alison Turriff] Alison Turriff (playing a “Leslie Craven Model” Mouthpiece) who until recently studied with Leslie at Royal Welsh College (and returns for consultations regularly) had a huge success at the Glasgow Music Festival winning the Woodwind and Brass Premier Award, Glasgow Music Festival Association Award, the Allie Cullen Memorial Award and the John Fyfe Trophy for the most outstanding performance of the festival. (pictures Courtesy of Glasgow Herald)

Alison is beginning to have an international career as a soloist with invitations coming in from many parts of Europe to give performances.

Jennie Porton studied with Leslie since the beginning (age 9) on Clarinet and Sax - A.B.R.S.M. Gr8 distinction both instruments by age 14/15 and won place at Royal College of Music aged 16 (following in the footsteps of his student Hannah Morgan (formerly a Principal Clarinettist of the N.Y.O. of great Britain) who went to RCM last year - pictured in Master Class with Leslie above).
Jennie premiered the concerto 18 Hour Day by Cafolla at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and won the Walker prize for excellence. She is currently in the quarter finals of BBC young musician of the year.

Continuing the consistent success story of Leslie's pupils is Rachel Patel - age 13 (pictured with trophies) who won her category (intermediate - under 15) in the fiercely competitive Young Musician in the Vale competition.This is Rachel's second success in the competition having won the junior section two years ago. In addition she and her brother Ben (who won his section on oboe) were awarded the trophy for most promising instrumentalists in the Vale of Glamorgan, an area which draws entrants from Cardiff and all the suburbs - a terrific achievement for the Patel family! Rachel currently studies with Leslie in the junior dept. of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Well done both.

Lee Mottram with some of his awards

Lee Mottram displaying some of the silverware won since beginning lessons with Leslie, notably Young Musician of Dyfed and Rotary Club - Young Musician of Wales - Leslie's second winner in this competition.

[Image: Hannah Murphy]

Hannah Murphy won places at several major teaching establishments including a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, London. Hannah studies with Leslie and has shown herself to be a highly dedicated musician and deserves every success.