Biographies
2012 Tutors and Performers
JOHN COUCH - Summer School Director
New Zealand born guitarist John Couch, currently based in Canberra, Australia, holds a Masters of Music in Performance (2000) from the Australian National University. Guided by Timothy Kain, he also gained his Post – Graduate Diploma (Performance and Research (1998)) in Canberra after having completed his Bachelor of Music in Performance in Auckland in 1997.
John has worked with leading Australian Composers, both commissioning new work from them and premiering their work, including Richard Charlton, Marian Budos, Ivana Troselj and Dr Jesmond Grixti and has extensively presented concerts and recitals throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Canada, Germany and Sweden as a soloist, chamber musician since 1994. It all started in 1994 when 1st place was awarded him in the New Zealand Guitar Competition. In 2001, not only was he the first guitarist to reach the final of the prestigious Gisborne International Music Competition for Orchestral Instruments, he was the first guitarist to win it. In 2002 Couch was awarded 1st place in the Australian International Guitar Competition. In 2003 he was a prizewinner at the 36th International Guitar Competition “Michele Pittaluga” (Italy), in 2004 he was awarded 2nd place in the Taiwan International Guitar Competition, and in 2008 he performed in the Finals of the Tokyo International Guitar Competition.
Learn more about John at: www.johncouch.net
John has worked with leading Australian Composers, both commissioning new work from them and premiering their work, including Richard Charlton, Marian Budos, Ivana Troselj and Dr Jesmond Grixti and has extensively presented concerts and recitals throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Canada, Germany and Sweden as a soloist, chamber musician since 1994. It all started in 1994 when 1st place was awarded him in the New Zealand Guitar Competition. In 2001, not only was he the first guitarist to reach the final of the prestigious Gisborne International Music Competition for Orchestral Instruments, he was the first guitarist to win it. In 2002 Couch was awarded 1st place in the Australian International Guitar Competition. In 2003 he was a prizewinner at the 36th International Guitar Competition “Michele Pittaluga” (Italy), in 2004 he was awarded 2nd place in the Taiwan International Guitar Competition, and in 2008 he performed in the Finals of the Tokyo International Guitar Competition.
Learn more about John at: www.johncouch.net
DOMINIQUE BLATTI - Summer School Co-ordinator
Born in Switzerland, Dominique started to learn the classical guitar at nine years of age, under the tutelage of Senorita De Cruz - a wonderful Spanish lady and gifted musician who taught several different instruments, though the guitar was her instrument of choice. Following some health issues and a fatal (fatal to the classical playing that is) close encounter with the folk scene of the 70's, Dominique experimented with several different music genres during her teenage years. She entered the Conservatory of Music of Geneva, but was unable to complete her first year, having decided to join her parents on their migration to New Zealand. Dominique made a full and serious comeback to the classical guitar in 2000 and has been teaching classical guitar full time for the last 10/11 years. Dominique has studied singing with Gabrielle Barr, a local renowned voice tutor, and gained Trinity's Performance Certificate. She has been a member of the New Plymouth Classical Guitar Society for the last six years and the secretary of the society for the last three. Along with Ross Townsend, Dominique is part of the duo "Guitarra", performing a variety of instrumental duets as well as many songs in French, Spanish and Portuguese. In addition, she belongs to a guitar quartet "Six by Four", all of whom are New Plymouth Classical Guitar Society members.
ROSS TOWNSEND
Ross is well known and respected across Taranaki and beyond, through both his teaching and his performing. Born in Inglewood in 1943, he grew up in the King Country and the Waikato. At 8 years of age, Ross was given a ukulele and a '5 minute' book so that the rest of the family could have a turn with the gramophone. He then started guitar lessons at 13 but didn't see a classical guitar until 1960. After purchasing it from the local music shop, he began teaching himself the techniques from the rather limited music that was available at the time. Ross entered the 'Have a Shot' on radio and won several times at 1ZB. In 1964, he became fully hooked after hearing a recital in Hamilton by Segovia and a bit later a TV program by Bream.
Ross started teaching classical guitar in Hamilton in 1968 and took regular lessons with Phil Read in Auckland. During the 1970's, he acquired his LTCL and built up a fulltime position as itinerant guitar tutor in Hamilton schools as well as private teacher. He tutored guitar for six years at the Hamilton Music School, conducted lecture recitals for the Waikato University Extension, and started the Hamilton Classical Guitar Society. He went on a concert tour of South Island Secondary Schools under the auspices of the Music Federation of NZ and a concert tour of NZ organised by the Federation of NZ Guitar Societies. Ross remained an active teacher and player in the Waikato until 1980.
Unfortunately, during 1979 due to too much continuous playing, Ross developed RSI in the right hand and reacting to it incorrectly caused much additional and unnecessary tension in the right arm. Deciding then to have a rest from the intensive guitar playing, Ross moved to the Coromandel in 1980 and for the next 16 years did commercial longline fishing. During this time, he did a small amount of teaching and playing, e.g. assistant tutor with John Duarte at the 1982 Summer School at Taradale.
In 1997, Ross moved to New Plymouth and resumed teaching the guitar, forming also a duo, called 'Flutarra', with flautist Jocelyn Beath. The New Plymouth Classical Guitar Society was soon born and then more recently a local guitar quartet now called 'Six by Four'. He also teamed up with local guitarist-teacher Dominique Blatti to form the duo 'Guitarra', in which amongst the many duets are also songs in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Ross started teaching classical guitar in Hamilton in 1968 and took regular lessons with Phil Read in Auckland. During the 1970's, he acquired his LTCL and built up a fulltime position as itinerant guitar tutor in Hamilton schools as well as private teacher. He tutored guitar for six years at the Hamilton Music School, conducted lecture recitals for the Waikato University Extension, and started the Hamilton Classical Guitar Society. He went on a concert tour of South Island Secondary Schools under the auspices of the Music Federation of NZ and a concert tour of NZ organised by the Federation of NZ Guitar Societies. Ross remained an active teacher and player in the Waikato until 1980.
Unfortunately, during 1979 due to too much continuous playing, Ross developed RSI in the right hand and reacting to it incorrectly caused much additional and unnecessary tension in the right arm. Deciding then to have a rest from the intensive guitar playing, Ross moved to the Coromandel in 1980 and for the next 16 years did commercial longline fishing. During this time, he did a small amount of teaching and playing, e.g. assistant tutor with John Duarte at the 1982 Summer School at Taradale.
In 1997, Ross moved to New Plymouth and resumed teaching the guitar, forming also a duo, called 'Flutarra', with flautist Jocelyn Beath. The New Plymouth Classical Guitar Society was soon born and then more recently a local guitar quartet now called 'Six by Four'. He also teamed up with local guitarist-teacher Dominique Blatti to form the duo 'Guitarra', in which amongst the many duets are also songs in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
MILES JACKSON (Duo Jackson)
Miles began his musical training on the violin, changing to classical guitar in 1965. He has studied with a number of distinguished teachers and several periods in Spain have allowed him to explore and develop Flamenco techniques. An intense period of study with world-renowned Czech guitarist Vladimir Mikulka took place in the summer of 1982. This was followed with three years of study with the English master guitarist John Mills, which has provided Miles with a technical facility and musicianship of the highest standard.
Learn more about Miles and Duo Jackson at: http://duojackson.wordpress.com/
Learn more about Miles and Duo Jackson at: http://duojackson.wordpress.com/
MARGARET JACKSON (Duo Jackson)
Margaret began her violin studies at the age of seven in Dunedin. In 1972 she was accepted to study with Glynne Adams at Auckland University. Further study continued with the great Czech teacher Jan Sedivka at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, resulting in invitations to tour in Australia. Margaret has a natural ability to convey the subtleties and virtuosity of the classics, to captivate the soul with Gypsy music and to improvise with natural creative flair in Jazz idioms. Four years of advanced and intensive study at Canterbury University under Polish Master Jan Tawroszewicz have resulted in an impressive technique and profound musical sensitivity.
Learn more about Margaret and Duo Jackson at: http://duojackson.wordpress.com/
Learn more about Margaret and Duo Jackson at: http://duojackson.wordpress.com/
JANE CURRY (NZGQ)
In 2010 Jane completed a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Arizona and is head of the classical guitar department at the New Zealand School of Music, Wellington. During her time in the US she studied with David Russell, Scott Tennant, Bill Kanengiser and Sergio Assad. She has placed in several international guitar competitions including 2nd Prize, Portland International Guitar Competition (OR), 2nd Prize, California Guitar Panorama International Competition (CA), 3rd Prize, Rantucci International Guitar Competition (NY), and has received the Creative NZ Jack McGill Music Scholarship (NZ), the International Arts Foundation Scholarship (NZ), Medici Scholar Award (University of Arizona), and a Creative NZ Grant to commission composer John Psathas. She has performed in New Zealand, England, Scotland, Spain, Mexico, Tahiti, Canada, Malaysia, and throughout the United States.
OWEN MORIARTY (NZGQ & Duo Tone)
Born and raised in Wellington, Owen began his formal guitar studies in 1997 at Massey University, graduating in 2003 with a Masters degree in performance music. In August 2003, Owen headed to the US where he studied towards a Graduate Certificate at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles). While there, he studied under James Smith, and with LA Guitar Quartet members Scott Tennant and Bill Kanengiser, with subsequent/additional tutelage from Brian Head, Martha Masters, and Pepe Romero.
Owen has also participated in masterclasses with the likes of: the Assad Duo, Jason Vieaux, and most recently with Grammy award winning guitarist David Russell.
Apart from his general public performances, Owen’s self-titled debut (double) CD was released through the Auckland based company ODE Records in 2003. In 2010 Owen completed his 5th tour on behalf of Chamber Music NZ, 2 tours as a soloist, 2 as a member of ‘Tango Virtuosi’, and lastly with the ‘Wellington Guitar Duo’. Having performed all around New Zealand, in recent years Owen has also given performances in Australia, USA, Portugal, Mexico, Thailand, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Owen has also participated in masterclasses with the likes of: the Assad Duo, Jason Vieaux, and most recently with Grammy award winning guitarist David Russell.
Apart from his general public performances, Owen’s self-titled debut (double) CD was released through the Auckland based company ODE Records in 2003. In 2010 Owen completed his 5th tour on behalf of Chamber Music NZ, 2 tours as a soloist, 2 as a member of ‘Tango Virtuosi’, and lastly with the ‘Wellington Guitar Duo’. Having performed all around New Zealand, in recent years Owen has also given performances in Australia, USA, Portugal, Mexico, Thailand, Spain and the United Kingdom.
CHERYL GRICE-WATTERSON
Cheryl graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in England in 1974, gaining the first ever distinction in her Performance Diploma awarded by John Williams. She also studied privately with John in London and at the age of 19 won the Lanchester International Guitar competition (England) and the Concorso Internazionale di Chitarra di Alessandria (Italy) - giving the debut performance of Felice Quarante’s `Divigazione` on Italian Television. In 1981 she gained joint 2nd place with Elliott Fisk and Paul Galbraith in the Segovia International Competition in England which was recorded by the BBC.
Cheryl gave many solo and concerto performances throughout Britain including the debut performance of Wilfred Joseph’s 'Saratoga' concerto for guitar, harp and harpsichord at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London in 1979. Her stunning performance of Albeniz` Sevilla in the Julian Bream Masterclass on BBC2 in 78, led to a personal invitation to record a lesson with him for French TV later that year. (These performances are posted on youtube).
In 1997 Cheryl emigrated to NZ with her family and now lives and teaches in Wellington. After a long absence she returned to performing with Trio con Brio (violin/viola /guitar), Duo Mosaica (violin/guitar) and more recently with NZGQ. She has released 2 CD’s - ‘Un Sueno en la Floresta’ and ‘Playera’ (Trio/Duo and solo music), which are available through her website.
Learn more about Cheryl at: http://cherylgriceguitar.com/
or contact her on: cheryl.grice@clear.net.nz
Cheryl gave many solo and concerto performances throughout Britain including the debut performance of Wilfred Joseph’s 'Saratoga' concerto for guitar, harp and harpsichord at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London in 1979. Her stunning performance of Albeniz` Sevilla in the Julian Bream Masterclass on BBC2 in 78, led to a personal invitation to record a lesson with him for French TV later that year. (These performances are posted on youtube).
In 1997 Cheryl emigrated to NZ with her family and now lives and teaches in Wellington. After a long absence she returned to performing with Trio con Brio (violin/viola /guitar), Duo Mosaica (violin/guitar) and more recently with NZGQ. She has released 2 CD’s - ‘Un Sueno en la Floresta’ and ‘Playera’ (Trio/Duo and solo music), which are available through her website.
Learn more about Cheryl at: http://cherylgriceguitar.com/
or contact her on: cheryl.grice@clear.net.nz
CHRISTOPHER HILL (NZGQ & Duo Tone)
After growing up in Hawkes Bay, Christopher Hill came to Wellington and completed an Honors Degree in classical guitar in 2001 at Victoria University studying under Bill Bower. In 2004 he traveled to Spain to study flamenco guitar and while he was there he also gave performances in Italy and Portugal. In June 2010, Christopher toured on behalf of Chamber Music NZ with the Wellington Guitar Duo.
A member of numerous groups/ensembles, Christopher is a creative composer with a keen interest in new music and (more recently) guitar building. He currently plays as a classical/flamenco guitarist and all-round versatile studio musician.
A member of numerous groups/ensembles, Christopher is a creative composer with a keen interest in new music and (more recently) guitar building. He currently plays as a classical/flamenco guitarist and all-round versatile studio musician.
MATTHEW MARSHALL
Matthew Marshall is Professor and Dean of the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Central Queensland University Australia and is one of New Zealand’s leading classical guitarists.He was a prize-winner in the 1988 Young Musician of the Year Competition and a recipient of an AGC Young Achievers Award and the UDC/Rotary Young Musicians Prize in 1989. He also won prizes in the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in London in 1990, Australia/New Zealand Foundation Awards in 1991 & 1995 and a NZ-France Friendship Award in 2006.
Matthew has performed throughout Europe, Asia, Pacific Islands, America, Australasia, and from Iceland to Easter Island! He has also given over 80 concerto performances in New Zealand, Mexico, Russia and Germany including appearances with the Berlin Chamber Orchestra, the Guanajuato & Michoacan Symphony Orchestras in Mexico and the Kemerovo Philharmonic in Russia. Included in this are over 40 performances of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.
Matthew has been recording for Radio New Zealand since the age of 17 and also features on nine CDs for solo guitar, chamber music and with orchestra. He is also an advocate for contemporary New Zealand music, with more than 40 works written for or premiered by him including six concertos and numerous solo and chamber works.
Matthew has held previous positions as Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth (UK), Director of Music at Dartington College of Arts (UK) and Head of the Conservatorium of Music, Massey University.
Learn more about Matthew at: www.matthewmarshall.net.nz
Matthew has performed throughout Europe, Asia, Pacific Islands, America, Australasia, and from Iceland to Easter Island! He has also given over 80 concerto performances in New Zealand, Mexico, Russia and Germany including appearances with the Berlin Chamber Orchestra, the Guanajuato & Michoacan Symphony Orchestras in Mexico and the Kemerovo Philharmonic in Russia. Included in this are over 40 performances of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.
Matthew has been recording for Radio New Zealand since the age of 17 and also features on nine CDs for solo guitar, chamber music and with orchestra. He is also an advocate for contemporary New Zealand music, with more than 40 works written for or premiered by him including six concertos and numerous solo and chamber works.
Matthew has held previous positions as Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth (UK), Director of Music at Dartington College of Arts (UK) and Head of the Conservatorium of Music, Massey University.
Learn more about Matthew at: www.matthewmarshall.net.nz
ROD CAPPER (Luthier)
It is by Rod's expert craftsmanship that each Rod Capper Concert Guitar comes to fruition in his workshop in Auckland, New Zealand.
Rod’s interest in guitar playing and guitar building goes back some 35 years. Insipired by the work and guitars of Miguel Rodriguez and Daniel Friederich, he began learning to play at the age of 16 and a year later started building his first guitar. Rod continued to study the guitar and developed a strong interest in guitar construction, the variety of materials that could be used and the effect they had on the sound that could be achieved.
Rod’s knowledge and expertise was built up over the years and he has developed and now produces a fine instrument that is being played in different parts of the world. Over the years, using a unique blend of science, intuition, and engineering knowledge he has developed an instrument that incorporates the very finest of qualities - the Rod Capper Concert Guitar
What is Rod's vision for his guitars?
"To build durable and aesthetically pleasing guitars with a volume suitable for concert halls whilst maintaining a tonal quality matching the more traditional Spanish style instruments. Using a combination of construction methods, some which are traditional and others which are developments of my own."
Learn more about Rod and his guitars here or at: http://www.capperguitars.com/
Rod’s interest in guitar playing and guitar building goes back some 35 years. Insipired by the work and guitars of Miguel Rodriguez and Daniel Friederich, he began learning to play at the age of 16 and a year later started building his first guitar. Rod continued to study the guitar and developed a strong interest in guitar construction, the variety of materials that could be used and the effect they had on the sound that could be achieved.
Rod’s knowledge and expertise was built up over the years and he has developed and now produces a fine instrument that is being played in different parts of the world. Over the years, using a unique blend of science, intuition, and engineering knowledge he has developed an instrument that incorporates the very finest of qualities - the Rod Capper Concert Guitar
What is Rod's vision for his guitars?
"To build durable and aesthetically pleasing guitars with a volume suitable for concert halls whilst maintaining a tonal quality matching the more traditional Spanish style instruments. Using a combination of construction methods, some which are traditional and others which are developments of my own."
Learn more about Rod and his guitars here or at: http://www.capperguitars.com/
JAKE CHURCH
Born 1994 in Grimsby, England, Jake moved to New Zealand in 1997. His parents bought him his first guitar when he was 7 years old, his first teachers being his father and his primary school headmaster. It was when he started intermediate school in 2005 that he started private guitar lessons with current tutor Ross Townsend and by 2009 passed Trinity College Grade 8 with merit.
Since then he has gone on to study Jazz under Ross Halliday and gain NCEA level 3 in music. Currently Jake is in his 4th year as part of the winning New Plymouth Girls and Boys High School concert/stage band & jazz band and was part of a winning trio at the Taranaki Chamber Music Competition. He is now studying scholarship music and Trinity College theory grade 5.
Jakes versatility as a guitarist is apparent as his list of achievements continues to grow. His band, Living Lightly have recently won the regional Smoke free RockQuest battle of the bands. Jake is also part of a Jazz combo whom are competing in a competition hosted by the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) in August 2011.
Next year Jake hopes to attend the NZSM at Victoria University in Wellington and study classical performance BMus.
Since then he has gone on to study Jazz under Ross Halliday and gain NCEA level 3 in music. Currently Jake is in his 4th year as part of the winning New Plymouth Girls and Boys High School concert/stage band & jazz band and was part of a winning trio at the Taranaki Chamber Music Competition. He is now studying scholarship music and Trinity College theory grade 5.
Jakes versatility as a guitarist is apparent as his list of achievements continues to grow. His band, Living Lightly have recently won the regional Smoke free RockQuest battle of the bands. Jake is also part of a Jazz combo whom are competing in a competition hosted by the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) in August 2011.
Next year Jake hopes to attend the NZSM at Victoria University in Wellington and study classical performance BMus.
NICK PRICE
Nick Price is currently in his third year of studies towards a BMus in classical guitar performance under the tutelage of Dr. Jane Curry at the New Zealand School of Music. After picking up the guitar at age 14, he studied under Ross Townsend in New Plymouth before studying with Matthew Marshall in 2009-10 at the NZSM. He has played in masterclasses for many acclaimed artists such as Maria Isabel Siewers and Miguel Trapaga. He is a recipient of Dame Malvina Major Elite Tertiary scholarships, and the 2009 winner of the Muriel May Memorial Scholarship performance competition.
TIM WATANABE (NZGQ)
Tim graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree from the Massey University Conservatorium of Music in Wellington, New Zealand, studying under Matthew Marshall and Gunter Herbig. He has been an active member of the Conservatorium Guitar Orchestra, and has played as a soloist in the Guitar Orchestra tours around New Zealand. He has an interest in the classical liberal arts, of which music is an integral and enriching part, and so, since then, he has gone on to complete a teaching diploma followed by a BTh in theology and philosophy. Tim has also taken part in masterclasses by Jason Vieux, David Leisner, John Couch, Anthony Field, and other international guitarists.
