★★★★★ “Ray is an outstanding teacher — patient, encouraging and incredibly knowledgeable. My daughter has come on leaps and bounds since starting lessons with him.” Parent of Student Violin Lessons, Chichester
★★★★★ “I started violin as an adult with no experience at all. Ray made it feel completely achievable and genuinely enjoyable from the very first lesson.” Adult Beginner Violin Lessons, Chichester
★★★★★ “Ray and Heather were absolutely perfect for our wedding. The music during the ceremony was beautiful and exactly what we'd hoped for. So many guests commented on it.” Wedding Client Violin & Harp Duo, West Sussex
★★★★★ “Ray helped me think more clearly about where I was heading with my career. He understood the pressures of the industry in a way a general coach never could.” Early-Career Musician Musician Coaching, London
★★★★★ “My son has been having viola lessons with Ray for two years. His playing has improved enormously but more than that, he genuinely looks forward to every lesson.” Parent of Student Viola Lessons, London
★★★★★ “Ray is an outstanding teacher — patient, encouraging and incredibly knowledgeable. My daughter has come on leaps and bounds since starting lessons with him.” Parent of Student Violin Lessons, Chichester ★★★★★ “I started violin as an adult with no experience at all. Ray made it feel completely achievable and genuinely enjoyable from the very first lesson.” Adult Beginner Violin Lessons, Chichester ★★★★★ “Ray and Heather were absolutely perfect for our wedding. The music during the ceremony was beautiful and exactly what we'd hoped for. So many guests commented on it.” Wedding Client Violin & Harp Duo, West Sussex ★★★★★ “Ray helped me think more clearly about where I was heading with my career. He understood the pressures of the industry in a way a general coach never could.” Early-Career Musician Musician Coaching, London ★★★★★ “My son has been having viola lessons with Ray for two years. His playing has improved enormously but more than that, he genuinely looks forward to every lesson.” Parent of Student Viola Lessons, London
Violin &
Viola
Lessons
Chichester · West Sussex
Private tuition with Ray Box — a professional violinist, performer and educator with nearly two decades of teaching experience across London and the south of England.
QualificationMA, Royal Academy of Music. Diploma LRAM — String Teaching. Research PhD, University of Chichester. Experience Two decades teachingRay Box is a professional violin and viola teacher offering tuition for students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to advanced players preparing for conservatoire auditions. Whether you are looking for violin lessons, viola tuition, or online lessons, Ray brings a uniquely holistic approach shaped by postgraduate training at the Royal Academy of Music and doctoral research into musician wellbeing. Alongside one-to-one teaching, Apollo offers mindset coaching and holistic wellbeing practices for musicians, because lasting progress comes from supporting the whole person, not just the technique. Based in Chichester, West Sussex, with lessons also available in London and online.
T e a c h i n g P h i l o s o p h y
A lesson that fits you,
not the other way round
Every student is different — in how they learn, what they want from music, and how they relate to the instrument. The best lessons start with a conversation, not a syllabus.
Ray's approach draws on nearly two decades of professional teaching experience, an academic background in music education and wellbeing, and a genuine love of music in all its forms — from Baroque to folk, classical repertoire to pieces you already know and love.
Whether you're preparing for an exam, working towards a performance, or simply learning for the pleasure of it, lessons are built around your goals at a pace that feels right for you.
Enjoyment First
Progress comes fastest when you're enjoying what you're doing. Lessons are structured, but they're never joyless.
Tailored to You
Repertoire, pace and method are all shaped around the individual — your level, your aims, your musical taste.
Technically Grounded
Good habits matter from the start. Ray pays close attention to posture, bow technique and tone, building a strong foundation that lasts.
Wellbeing Aware
Informed by research into musician wellbeing, lessons are a supportive environment where confidence and musicianship grow together.
W h o I s i t For
Lessons for every stage
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Complete Beginners
No experience needed. Ray gets you making real music from the very first lesson — because hearing yourself play is the best motivation there is.
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Developing Players
Working through grades, building technique, or simply wanting to improve — lessons are structured around where you are now and where you want to go.
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Advanced & Returning
Preparing for auditions, returning after a break, or looking to refine your playing at a higher level — Ray works with professional musicians and serious students too.
W h a t 's C o v e r e d
Violin & Viola
Exam Preparation
ABRSM, Trinity and other boards supported at all grades, with targeted preparation and mock run-throughs
Performance Coaching
Preparing for a recital, audition or concert? Lessons can focus on interpretation, stage presence and managing nerves.
Music of Your Choice
Classical, folk, Baroque, pop — if you have a piece you love, bring it. Lessons work best when you're engaged with the music.
Technique & Theory
Bow hold, posture, intonation, sight-reading — the building blocks are woven into every lesson naturally, not as a separate chore.
Viola Lessons
Specialist viola teaching for beginners through to advanced players, including viola-specific repertoire and technique.
Adult Learners
It's never too late. Adult beginners and returners are very welcome — lessons are relaxed, pressure-free and genuinely enjoyable.
Also find Ray via:
PreludeEducation.com - musicteacher.com - musicteachers.co.uk - Encoremusicians.com - tutorperch.com - tutordex.net