HKAPA

Professor David Strange MBE FRAM is a distinguished orchestral musician and educator. As the former Principal Cellist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Professor Strange is a well-respected musician of international reputation. He has also played a significant role in the musical education of young people, with experience and influence in all branches of the profession.

Professor Strange began his teaching career at the Royal Academy of Music in 1975, when he became a cello professor. He was Head of the Strings Department from 1997 to 2010, and was appointed Professor of the University of London in 2002. Many of his former students are principal players in Europe's finest orchestras, members of internationally renowned string quartets and hold teaching appointments at some of the world's leading Conservatoires.

Professor Strange has been associated with the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) for over 30 years. He was the EUYO’s Director of Studies, with responsibility for the selection and training of the orchestra in preparation for concerts with some of the world’s most eminent conductors. He resigned from this position in December 2013.

Besides being invited to conduct and give masterclasses throughout Europe and Asia, Professor Strange has held visiting professorships at the Australian National Academy of Music, the Conservatorio Superior de Música, Salamanca, Spain, the Conservatory of Music, Groningen, Holland, and the Conservatorio Superior de Música, Madrid. He visits the Shanghai Conservatoire of Music as a visiting professor every year and was appointed External Examiner and External Academic Reviewer of the School of Music of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from 2013 to 2015.

Professor Strange has made significant contributions to the Academy's School of Music as Visiting Artist, External Examiner and External Academic Reviewer for over a decade. He has been a staunch supporter of the School at many levels, such as organising an extensive tour for the School’s students in the UK, helping attract audiences to a number of sold-out performances of the School, as well as providing valuable advice and tutelage to students. Professor Strange also helped introduce students of the School to eminent practitioners and teachers in Europe, enabling them to gain places in top conservatoires.

With his notable success in inspiring the highest standards of musicianship in performance and teaching, Professor Strange has been a jury member of many prestigious competitions. To drive the development of major academic and artistic initiatives and promote musical excellence throughout the world, he has chaired the panel for the Max Rostal International Violin/Viola Competition in Berlin and the International Jeunesses Musicales Cello Competition in Belgrade. Professor Strange is Artistic Advisor to the Wells Cathedral Specialist Music School and Founding Director of Eaton Square Concerts, London. In 2013 he was appointed Artistic Advisor and Director of Auditions of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. In the Queen's New Year's Honours 2020, Professor Strange was awarded the MBE for services to music.