What’s the secret about teaching that the wider world doesn’t know?

Most pupils are lovely.

What do you wish you’d known when you started teaching that you know now?

That you really don’t finish work at 3.30pm and that the summer holidays still disappear as quickly as they did when you were a child.

- What is the best advice you have been given?

Don’t be a professional violinist. I was 17, took absolutely no notice and had a fantastic career as a player. But I find my life now as a teacher more varied, child-friendly, rewarding, fun and better paid.

- What’s your proudest achievement?

Personally, having my two sons, now aged six and three. Professionally, playing at the Musikverein, Vienna, and Carnegie Hall, New York, under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle.

- What one thing would change your life for the better?

An affordable, carbon-neutral car that is as much fun to drive as an MX- 5.

- Who do you most admire?

Anyone who can balance a full-time job, children, a relationship and sundry commitments without losing their temper.

- What’s the last book you read?

Single amp; Single by John le Carre.

- What is the song of your life?

“Vier letzte Lieder” by Richard Strauss and, yes, I know that’s four songs. It’s a pinnacle of romantic writing, description and emotional outpouring. I have played it many times, been on a couple of recordings of it and it has a wonderful violin solo in it. I definitely want the final one to be played at my own funeral.

- Who would play you in the film of your life?

Emma Watson.

- Where is your favourite place?

Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny, France. It changes constantly, but somehow retains a timeless beauty. I have been on tour with my violin almost everywhere.

- If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?

Antonio Stradivari. I would to try and learn the secret of those incredible violins.

- Apart from the job, what three things are the most important to you?

My family, my violin and my cat (or chocolate, if my cat counts as family).

- What’s the big question about life that you would most like answered?

What’s next?