Louise is the founder of the Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition and Festival https://www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar/cecil-aronowitz-viola-competition, launched at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in October 2014, as well as the founder and President of the British Viola Society https://www.britishviolasociety.co.uk/
Guest pupils Aiden, Gina and Mairi, joined St Mary’s Music School pupils for a packed programme, filled with viola ensembles coaching, performances, masterclasses, and a presentation by Louise featuring the documentary ‘Cinderella No More: The English Viola Legacy’ made by Louise and fellow violist Timothy Ridout.
Just before the Easter Break Dr Valerie Pearson, Head of Strings with the school, sat down with leading violinist and violist James Ehnes for a chat about violin and viola playing. The conversation can be found on our Spotify playlist, link below:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gyefJJqHnbh1WmQXxdbCC?si=7ca8623c33bd4eae
Many thanks to all participants and their teachers and accompanists: Felix Tanner and Kathryn Jourdan, John Cameron and Anna Michels (St Mary’s Music School), Lev Atlas (RCS Jnrs) and Mysie Ferguson (Edinburgh).
Finally, a big thanks to Louise Lansdown, without whom the day would not have been possible, and to James Ehnes, for such insightful conversation.