Hello!
Now that I feel just about back into the swing of the new academic year, I can share what I got up to over the summer and where I'm at now.
I had a fabulous time in Cornwall in August at Hellys International Guitar Festival - my first time there and I certainly hope not the last! I played a programme of works by women composers from Latin America including my first airing of music by Eunice Katunda, Clarice Assad, and Violeta Parra. I also taught a few lessons and was part of the jury for Hellys International Guitar Competiton - a very hard decision with so many amazing guitarists. It was a jam-packed festival of 18 concerts in three days plus all the workshops and talks and was such a brilliant atmosphere. Some snaps:
(L-R: Jule Malischke, me, Laura Lootens, Graham Emes)
(my subtle outfit)
I spent the end of the summer on holiday in Greek sunshine and came back revitalised and ready to start work and studies again. I'm operating a busy schedule at the moment teaching, playing a few little gigs, freelance work, and... I've started an MMus at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama! It's a year-long intensive postgraduate programme and I'm already enjoying my time there. I'll be studying primarily with Helen Sanderson and having classes with visiting tutors John Mills and Zoran Dukic as well as masterclasses with guests throughout the year. It's a lot of work but I'm so excited to see how it blossoms. My plan is to get through a wide variety of music: from chamber music, nineteenth-century women composers, Baroque guitar, and contemporary staples in the guitar repertoire. Wish me luck!
This week, I'm looking forward to a private performance in Liverpool Cathedral and then in November I'm back in Alicante for tenth anniversary of the Máster Guitarra Alicante. I'm beyond excited to be going back to reunite with mis amig@s and meet up with alumni from previous generations. I'm also looking forward to playing again in Alicante and seeing the published collection of thesis transcriptions that includes my own transcriptions by Otilie Suková.
Lots of hard work to come but also lots of fun too... it is all about balance, after all!
Adios!