John Shayler John Shayler was Head of String Instrument Teaching for Bedfordshire Music Service until his retirement in 2002. John’s musical life began with violin lessons at Bedford School with Helena Langford. While studying sociology at Sussex University, he had lessons at the Guildhall School of Music with Joan Spencer, who persuaded him to do a postgraduate year full-time. John’s association with Bedfordshire Youth Music began in 1968, when he led the then new County Youth Orchestra, before becoming coach to the violins. After the Guildhall the then new Music Advisor, Michael Rose, offered John a violin teaching job with the Authority, and after a year John became Head of String Instrument Teaching, a post he held until 2002. John co-founded Beds. Youth Opera in 1980 as Musical director. As well as his association with Bedfordshire, John is International Liaison Officer of the European String Teachers’ Association, having been a member of the Management Committee for many years.
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