Profile
Born in Wales, Catherine has recently graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She regularly enjoys playing with various orchestras and ensembles in the South Wales area, along with solo performances and teaching.
Catherine was recently chosen to represent the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on their trip to China as part of the Welsh Assembly Government's 'Wales Week'. Catherine had the opportunity to perform as part of a trio in the museum of Chongqing and as a soloist in a recital at Beijing University.
Orchestral performances Catherine has taken part in whilst studying at college include playing second flute in the Symphony Orchestra of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from 2004, where repertoire included Ravel’s ‘Le Tombeau de Couperin‘, Tchiakovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite‘, Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral Symphony’, Glazanov ‘The Seasons’ and Kodaly’s ‘Peacock Variations’. As section principal Catherine performed Janaceck’s ‘Sinfonietta’, Berg’s ‘Seven early Songs’, Ravel’s ‘Mothergoose Ballet’, Tchaikovsky’s ‘Violin Concerto’ and Ravel’s ‘Tzigane’ with the orchestra in venues such as St David’s Hall and Croydon Concert Hall. Catherine has also played flute and piccolo in The college’s Wind orchestra a number of times.
From 2004 to 2007 Catherine was a member of the ‘National Youth Orchestra of Wales’ where repertoire included William Walton’s ‘Symphony No.1’, Karl Jenkin’s ‘Tangollen’, Elgar’s ‘In The South’, Elgar’s ‘Symphony No.1’ , Schostakovich ‘Symphony no. 5’, Alun Hottentot’s ‘Suite No. 3’, William Mathias ‘Invocation and Dance’, Ceiri Torjussen‘s ‘Momentum’, Smetana’s ‘Vltava’, and Dvorak’s ‘Slavonic Dances no.s 1 and 8’. Concerts were held in cathedrals and concert halls in England and Wales including St David’s Hall, the Berlin Konzerthaus and Lady Walton’s Estate on the island of Ischia. Catherine was selected to play as part of a collaboration workshop and concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales where the orchestras performed Rimsky-Korsakov’s 'Scheherazade' and Schostakovich’s 'Festival Overture'.
In addition to ensemble playing, Catherine often gives solo recitals around the South Wales area and enjoys performing less well known contemporary pieces for solo flute. In December 2007 Catherine gave the premiere performance of Mere, composed by RWCMD’s up and coming composer, Mark Boden.
Along with her studies at RWCMD, Catherine regularly attends flute summer school's, master classes and takes lessons in London with teachers from the London Music Conservatoires.
Qualifications
-Bachelor of Music: 2:1 (RWCMD) July 2008
-ABRSM Diploma in the Flute Principles of Instrumental Teaching 2007
-ABRSM Grade 8 Flute (Distinction)
-ABRSM Grade 7 Piano
Awards
-'RWCMD Woodwind Prize': 2nd place 2008
-'Wolfson Instrumental Bursary Award' 2007 (RWCMD)
-'Professional Assosiation of Teachers Award for the most promising woodwind player' 2007 (NYOW)
-'Gwen Hughes Memorial Prize for best woodwind player' 2001
-‘Rotary Club Young Musician Of The Year’ 1st prize, 1st round 2003
-National Finals of the ‘Urdd Eisteddfod’ 2003 (Mozart’s Flute Concerto in G, 1st Movement)
Orchestral Experiences and Employment
-'Sinfonia Cymru' 2008-present
-Extra Player with the 'Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera' 2007-present (including second flute for the Gala Concert of the Menuhin Competition)
-Scottish Ballet Orchestra January 2009
-'WNO' Placement Scheme 2007-2008
-'RWCMD Symphony Orchestra' 2004-present (principal flute for the Opening Concert of the Menuhin Competition 2008 with Maxim Vengerov and Joshua Bell)
-'National Youth Orchestra of Wales' 2004-2007 including tours to Ischia and Berlin
-'Cardiff Youth Sinfonietta' 2007-present
-'Four Counties Youth Orchestra' 2000-present
-Musical orchestras, shows including; Bugsy Malone, Les Miserables, Oklahoma, Oliver
-Various chamber ensembles and local orchestras since 1998
Ensemble Experience
-RWCMD flute, guitar and voice Trio 'Trio Chongqing' (Tour to China, RWCMD concerts, concerts around South Wales)
-Flute Duet for weddings, functions and local concerts -'Bute Trio', flute, violin and cello, music for weddings, functions and concerts
-Wind Quintet for functions and concerts
-Flute and Harp
-Jazz Trio
Teaching Experiences and Employement
-Flute teacher at Sidcot Private School
-Flute teacher with 'Gwent Music Support Service' 2008-present
-Instrumental music tutor (Merthyr Tydfil Youth Orchestra) - September 2007-present
-Private flute and piano Teacher 2003-present
-Student coach alongside players from the ‘Welsh National Opera’ in Chamber music Workshop 2007
-Voluntary Instrumental tutor on course (Bridgend Youth Training Orchestra) - Autumn 2006