Trinity Laban

Professor Derek Aviss was educated at Trinity College of Music, studying the cello with Vivian Joseph and chamber music with Nicholas Roth and Alfred Kitchin. At postgraduate level he worked with Benjamin Zander of the New England Conservatoire, USA and subsequently with William Pleeth. His early career was spent as a busy, freelance cellist and, as a recitalist, he performed at major concert halls and festivals, often premiering compositions especially written for him. He was known as the cellist of both the Ariosti Piano Trio and the Cantilena Soloists Ensemble. A cello teacher of many years standing at Trinity College of Music, a number of Derek Aviss’s former students currently occupy positions in high profile symphony orchestras throughout the world. He has previously held posts at the College as Senior and Principal Lecturers, Head of the String Faculty, Head of Performance Studies and Deputy Principal. In this role, he made a significant contribution to the successful relocation of the College from its historical home in the West End to the World Heritage Site of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Subsequently, he played a key role in the successful negotiations leading to the merger of Trinity and Laban in 2005, from which time, Derek Aviss led the Music College element of the merged Institution, initially as Director and then as its Principal. Shortly afterwards, he also became Joint Principal of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Currently he has moved into the new role of Executive Director of Trinity Laban with particular responsibility for institutional strategic development. He has held, and continues to hold, positions on professional Associations, Boards and Committees and has a life-long interest in the development of music pedagogy and innovative educational practice.

LTCL, FLCM

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
• Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, London
• Visiting Professor of City University, London
• Former Company Secretary and a Director of Conservatoires UK
• Vice-President of the Ernest Bloch Society
• Former Chairman of the Academic Council of the Learning Skills Foundation
• Former Chairman of the Gloucester Academy of Music and Performing Arts