The Vancouver Classic Guitar Society extends an invitation each month for all classical guitarists in the Metro Vancouver area to perform at our Open-Mic-Social event.  At the coming event each guitarist will perform a piece, or pieces, from  the Romantic Period that they would like to share with everyone.   Guitarists are also welcome to play any piece(s) of their own choice. The event will be concluded by playing some ensemble music. Please let us know if you would like to participate by contacting info@vancouverguitar.org.

The purpose of our socials is to build and strengthen community among classic guitarists and enthusiasts. We also hope to encourage the study of the classic guitar and to provide opportunities for guitarists of all levels to meet and play together.

This time we are pleased to introduce a local guitarist, Louise Southwood, who recently moved to Vancouver. She has generously offered to play a free mini-concert for the Guitar Society. This event is open to the general public. It will start at 2:00 pm.

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Louise was born in Paris in 1978. Her guitar playing began at an early age with many competition successes and performances throughout the UK.

At age twelve she began studying privately with the eminent guitarist Carlos Bonell. Carlos has been a major and lasting influence on her musical career.

In 2000 she was awarded a Bachelor of Music (hons) degree at The Royal College of Music in London. Here, Louise worked with Gary Ryan on both solo guitar and guitar accompaniment. This was an intense performing period and involved collaborations with many other musicians as well as master classes with some of the world’s most renowned guitarists.

Performance engagements within the UK were highlighted by appearances at The Trinity Chapel in Cambridge,The National Gallery and St.Martin in the Fields in London.

Louise has spent the last seven years teaching and performing in Bermuda. Here she met the talented violininst David France and formed the ‘Southwood-France Duo’. They have performed regularly at The Bermuda International Guitar Festival and opened The Kodai Kanal International Guitar Festival 2009 in India. Douglas Lora of the acclaimed ‘Brazil Guitar Duo’ composed a piece ‘From Summer to Fall’ in dedication of the duo.

Louise’s CDs, ‘Emergence’ and newly released‘Chrysalis’ illustrate her varied instrumental techniques and musical interests, with a selection of favourite pieces, ancient and modern. They have enchanted a diverse audience around the world.