Joan Spencer obituary

My aunt, Joan Spencer, who has died aged 92, was an inspirational violin teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a prolific concert performer. She was professor there when I attended the Guildhall school in the 1970s. She was enthusiastic, witty and inspiring. The violin was her life.

Joan toured in France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Israel, Greece and Yugoslavia, and made many radio broadcasts, including a Promenade concert in which she played Max Bruch's First Concerto. One of her Manchester Midday concerts for the BBC was shared with the celebrated contralto Kathleen Ferrier; Joan was billed as the more experienced performer, even at the age of 20. She also toured with Ballet Rambert, playing Chausson's formidable Poème.