Guido de Groote

Guido de Groote is a Lecturer and Curriculum Leader for Strings at Sistema Scotland, while also teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's School of Music & Juniors. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, he holds a rich background in professional orchestral performance, including roles with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and freelance work in the UK. His career shifted focus to music education and community development, emphasizing nurturing young musicians through violin pedagogy, body awareness, and psychological resilience.

Education:

• Studied with Jack De Wet at the University of Stellenbosch
• Further studies under Simon Fischer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on full scholarship

Research & Practice: Specializes in long-term development of young musicians, addressing performance anxiety and fostering mindset resilience. He leads Sistema Scotland’s string curriculum and collaborates with Big Noise Govanhill to dismantle barriers for youth access to elite musical training. His work integrates pedagogical innovation with community engagement.

Professional Contributions:

• Senior Musician in Big Noise Govanhill team management
• Private teaching studio and freelance performance commitments
• Key figure in Sistema Scotland’s holistic music education model

Labs/Teams: Actively involved with Sistema Scotland’s nationwide music development programs and the Big Noise Govanhill initiative, which uses music to empower disadvantaged communities.