Rafael Lopez Bolivar – violin

Born in Madrid Rafael is a graduate from the Royal Conservatory of Madrid and the Royal Academy of Music of London in the class of Victor Martin and Maurice Hasson.

He has also received Masterclasses from Ruggerio Ricci, Salvatore Accardo, Lorand Fenives, Mauricio Fucks and members of the Amadeus and Belcea Quartets.

At the age of 14 he met the legendary violinist Ivry Gitlis in France. Gitlis remained a prominent influence on his playing and music philosophy till his passing in 2020.

Rafael has performed recitals in UK, France, Germany, Finland, Israel, Russia, Italy and Spain and has worked with most of London orchestras, the National Orchestra of Spain and the East-West Divan Orchestra in Palestine.

As a teacher he taught in London for many years until he became the Head of Strings at Charterhouse school in 2018. After 5 very successful years in Charterhouse, where many of his pupils continued their studies in the major UK conservatories and universities, he was appointed Head of Strings at Winchester College.