Music on Thursdays
ACACIA DUO
Samantha Pearce, flute Heather Wrighton, harp |
Supported by: Leatherhead Concert & Arts Society |
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ACACIA DUO - Samantha Pearce, flute & Heather Wrighton, harp
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Acacia Flute and Harp Duo
Samantha Pearce and Heather Wrighton met
in 2008 whilst both studying their undergraduate degrees at the Royal Academy
of Music. They formed an instant rapport and formed the Acacia Duo,
performing together in concerts and masterclasses.
Samantha and Heather are both busy freelance musicians, playing in an array of orchestral and solo performances in venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Opera House, St Martin in the Fields and Cadogan Hall. They enjoy working in this smaller chamber combination for its beautiful and romantic sound and the variety of possibilities for intimate to large performances.
Samantha was born in Kent and began learning the flute at the age of 8. At 13 she won a scholarship to study under David Nicholson in Aberdeen, and became a member of the National Youth Orchestras of Great Britain and Scotland. In 2012 she graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with 1st Class Honours and the Chris Taylor Flute prize.
Samantha won first prize in the Academy’s All Flutes Plus Flute Prize 2010 and won the chance to perform Ibert’s flute Concerto with RAM Concert Orchestra in May 2011. She was awarded the June Allison Wood Wind Award 2012 by the Philharmonia Orchestra/ Martin Musical Scholarship towards her postgraduate studies in Cologne, Germany with Professor Robert Winn and has since performed solo recitals in St Mary’s Westminster and the Royal Festival Hall.
Heather was inspired to play the harp at the age of six and as a junior student at Trinity College of Music she studied harp with Gabriella Dall’Olio and Frances Kelly, continuing her studies at The Royal Academy of Music with Karen Vaughan, graduating with a BMus(Hons) and LRAM teaching qualification.
Performance highlights include playing in the choir of 60 harps at London's Royal Opera House for His Royal Highness Prince Charles' 60th birthday celebration, performing the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto with the European Union Chamber Orchestra, accompanying the New Forest Children’s Choir in the ‘BBC Choir Of The Year’ final held at the Royal Festival Hall which was broadcast on BBC radio and TV.
Samantha and Heather are both busy freelance musicians, playing in an array of orchestral and solo performances in venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Opera House, St Martin in the Fields and Cadogan Hall. They enjoy working in this smaller chamber combination for its beautiful and romantic sound and the variety of possibilities for intimate to large performances.
Samantha was born in Kent and began learning the flute at the age of 8. At 13 she won a scholarship to study under David Nicholson in Aberdeen, and became a member of the National Youth Orchestras of Great Britain and Scotland. In 2012 she graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with 1st Class Honours and the Chris Taylor Flute prize.
Samantha won first prize in the Academy’s All Flutes Plus Flute Prize 2010 and won the chance to perform Ibert’s flute Concerto with RAM Concert Orchestra in May 2011. She was awarded the June Allison Wood Wind Award 2012 by the Philharmonia Orchestra/ Martin Musical Scholarship towards her postgraduate studies in Cologne, Germany with Professor Robert Winn and has since performed solo recitals in St Mary’s Westminster and the Royal Festival Hall.
Heather was inspired to play the harp at the age of six and as a junior student at Trinity College of Music she studied harp with Gabriella Dall’Olio and Frances Kelly, continuing her studies at The Royal Academy of Music with Karen Vaughan, graduating with a BMus(Hons) and LRAM teaching qualification.
Performance highlights include playing in the choir of 60 harps at London's Royal Opera House for His Royal Highness Prince Charles' 60th birthday celebration, performing the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto with the European Union Chamber Orchestra, accompanying the New Forest Children’s Choir in the ‘BBC Choir Of The Year’ final held at the Royal Festival Hall which was broadcast on BBC radio and TV.
LEATHERHEAD HARVESTS SPECTACLES - Leatherhead Methodist Church and Christ Church URC are both collection points for this special harvest. Please bring your old specs along and place them in the box provided.
