Gordon Pringle studied with Simon Clugston, and then the great ’cello pedagogue, Christopher Bunting, with whom he studied for eight years, relishing his analytical approach and ideas regarding physical aspects of playing. It was through Christopher’s inspired teaching and great enthusiasm that Gordon developed his own love of the instrument and its repertoire and eventually of teaching it in all its varied aspects. Later, he came under the influence of William Pleeth for six years, and experienced William’s unique musical and intuitive approach to teaching and performing. He also studied for many years a form of Alexander technique with the great teacher, Jean Gibson and quickly learned the importance of body use and freedom of movement in playing and performance and has always incorporated this aspect of instrumental playing into his own teaching.

Gordon started his career playing in many orchestras and chamber ensembles and in a string quartet in London. However, he soon realized that teaching was his true vocation, and concentrated all his efforts on a teaching rather than performing career after 1972.

In 1973, he was appointed to the post of ’cello teacher at St Christopher’s School, Hampstead, where he also conducted the school orchestra and introduced, organized and coached string quartets. Whilst at St Christopher’s he commissioned and directed the performance of a work by John Hawkins ‘Snail’s Trails and Dragon’s Tales’ for choir and orchestra. Gordon stayed 6 years at St Christopher’s (1973-1979) and then settled into his private practice which had grown to 40 students.

He quickly became well known as a gifted teacher in North London and found famous people from the music

world entrusting their children to him, for example Sir George Solti, William Waterhouse, Stanley Sadie, Nicolas Kenyon and many more.

In 1990, Gordon was invited to join the staff of Junior Trinity College of Music, as string quartet coach as well as ’cello teacher. He became the Coordinator of the String Department in 1997 and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Trinity College of Music (Hon FTCL) for his outstanding work there, in 2002.

A very high proportion of Gordon’s pupils have gained distinctions in their grade examinations, won music scholarships to some of the finest schools, been chosen to play in the NYO and have gone on to study at major music conservatoires. Several have won music scholarships at Cambridge University even though they chose to study subjects other than music.

From 1992 to 1995, Gordon helped to set up and organize and taught on an annual chamber music course held at the North London Collegiate School in Edgeware, North London and in 1997 was invited to teach for 2 weeks in Japan, where he coached young players and helped some with there preparation for Music Academy entry.

Gordon teaches at every level and every age from young to adult beginners, from Grade I to VIII and prepares students for Music College Entrance and Orchestral Auditions. Gordon also works with post-graduate students and beyond, in particular with rectifying technical and physical problems; and with amateurs to help them improve their technique and get more enjoyment from their playing. He is also a very experienced chamber music coach.