Meet the Gold Medal Competitors – Group 4
Today we meet the Group 4 competitors in the 2014 RNCM Gold Medal Competition, Lauren Fielder, Sergio Cote and Kana Ohashi, who will be performing from 4pm on Saturday.
Don’t forget to check back tomorrow when we’ll be meeting the final group ahead of competition day on Saturday.
Name: Lauren Fielder
Age: 28
Nationality: British
Study Option: Voice (soprano)
Year of Study and Tutor: Third year postgraduate with Mary Plazas
When did you start to sing? When I was six but my classical training started when I was 11.
Where’s the most unusual/exciting place you’ve ever performed? The most exciting was The Bridgewater Hall for a morning Strauss concert; I never thought that during my time at the RNCM I would get the opportunity to sing as a soloist on that stage.
Who in the music industry do you most admire? I love Maria Callas in her younger days but ultimately my inspiration has been Mary Plazas. There is such a sense of sincerity and honesty that makes her as a performer so believable and remarkable; definitely a quality I aspire to produce in my own performances.
If you weren’t studying music what would you be doing? Theatre make-up and prosthetics or possibly a midwife.
How do you feel about being chosen to compete for the RNCM Gold Medal? Initially, I was completely speechless. I’m an optimistic person but I never assume, I just work hard. I really didn’t expect to see my name on the final list, but I’m extremely thrilled to end my time at the RNCM performing in the final.
Name: Sergio Cote
Age: 27
Nationality: Colombian
Study Option: Composition
Year of Study and Tutor: First year MMus with Adam Gorb and Paul Patterson
When did you start composing? I started playing the piano when I was six but for different reasons stopped doing it. I got into composition at 17, just before I started my BMus at the Javeriana University in Bogotá, Colombia.
Where’s the most unusual/exciting place you’ve ever heard your music performed? For me, every single time that my music has been performed has been exciting. But one important performance took place in the first weeks of my Master’s when I listen for first time to an orchestral piece I wrote for the RNCM’s Brand New Orchestra day.
Who in the music industry do you most admire? Every musician who plays every single note with passion. Also, I truly admire the Colombian composers and composition teachers who taught me whilst I was studying in Bogotá: Carlos Julio Ramirez, Juan Gabriel Osuna, Oscar Murcia and Guillermo Gaviria. All of them have been an important influence in my life and work.
If you weren’t studying music what would you be doing? I really don’t know. I can’t imagine myself doing something different. However, I’ve always been really keen on politics and philosophy, so I think that if I had to change careers it would be related to that.
How do you feel about being chosen to compete for the RNCM Gold Medal?
I’m really honoured, not only for the opportunity that this represents, but also because it’s good to compete with other composers who are my friends and who I value highly.
Name: Kana Ohashi
Age: 21
Nationality: I was born in Scotland but I’m Japanese and grew up in Australia from the age of three
Study option: Violin
Year of Study and Tutor: Third Year BMus with Professor Yair Kless
When did you start to play the violin? Aged four
Where’s the most unusual/exciting place you’ve ever performed? My most unusual yet inspirational musical experience would have to be playing for children at a Somalian refugee camp in Melbourne.
Who in the music industry do you most admire? I admire the violinist James Ehnes, not only for his artistic brilliance, but his humble and sincere approach to life.
If you weren’t studying music what would you be doing? To be honest I don’t know. However, as a musician, travelling is something that I look forward to, so I would probably explore different cultures in many parts of the world.
How do you feel about being chosen to compete for the RNCM Gold Medal? I feel privileged to perform for the Gold Medal. I hope it will be a wonderful and exciting experience not only for me, but for the audience too.
12 June 2014
