The highly acclaimed Plymouth born classical guitarist Alison Smith (director of the Cawsand Bay Guitarfest), has been described as one of the most exciting and lyrical guitarists to emerge in recent years.
Short Biography ~ Alison Smith
She delights audiences with her fluid technique and expressive playing, performing nationwide and in Europe at concert halls, festivals and has broadcast on national radio including BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Scotland. She has played eight times at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain, where her performance was described as “enthralling.....demonstrated sheer virtuosity....superb technique and sensitivity”. After a concert in Germany, “the audience broke into tumultuous applause and gave another standing ovation to the young guitarist who had played her way into their hearts” Nortorfer Zeitung Germany, (Trans Fiona Bubbers) Her CD Albums titled Recuerdos and Incandescent have been highly successful. She has recently been engaged by Willowhayne Records, to become one of their artists and has recorded a new album titled Poético which was released in 2019. There are exciting plans for a new recording. Alison's CDs are distributed physically and digitally worldwide.
Alison graduated from Trinity College of Music, London (Trinity Laban) and was awarded the Grace Wylie Thesis Prize, a college scholarship and a scholarship from the Mary Datchelor Trust to enable her to pursue her Post-Graduate studies. She was awarded a Distinction in the Post-Graduate Performance Certificate. Alison taught guitar and coached chamber music at the The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from 2002 – 2008 and lectured on Techniques of Teaching for the B Mus Course. She has given performances and talks as guest artist at Plymouth University and is currently the appointed University Classical Guitar tutor for the BA Hons music course. www.alisonsmithguitar.com