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Maria Zachariadou - Cellist Cellist Maria Zachariadou is an Assistant Principal cellist of the BBC Philharmonic since 2017. Regular Principal guest appearances also occur, such as RSNO, the CBSO in the UK and most recently, Bilbao Symphony Orchestra in Spain. She had previously been a member of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London where, in 2014, founded the acclaimed Philharmonia Chamber Players. With a great passion for chamber music, Maria also toured Japan twice with her baroque group La Sfera Musicale to critical acclaim and released the CD “Baroque Dialogues” on Waon Records. Maria studied in Stockholm (with Mats Rondin), London (with Melissa Phelps) and Dusseldorf, where she completed her Konzertexamen Solo/Dip with distinction with Johannes Goritzki and Nicolaus Trieb. During her time in Germany, her piano trio “Melange” won different regional prizes and performed extensively in the country. Maria played in Masterclasses (with Ralph Kirschbaum, Frans Helmersson, David Geringas among others) and in festivals, Paxos and Samos music festivals in Greece, Mendelssohn on Mull in Scotland and Holland Music Sessions. She also obtained a Winter residency at the Banff Center of Arts in Canada and a semester at the University of Bloomington in the US. Her experience as a music Professor includes the Royal College of Music in London 2014-2019.
She plays on a F. Ravatin cello kindly loaned to her from the JÃrnaker Foundation in Sweden. Maria is now based in Manchester where she lives with Rino and their son Nicholas.
Ugnius Pauliukonis - Pianist Ugnius is an acclaimed musician and award-winning pianist, teacher and performance art curator showcasing diverse musical talents across various genres. As a classical pianist he has captivated audiences as a soloist, collaborating with prestigious orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and Kaunas State Symphony Orchestra. His enthralling piano recitals have graced renowned venues like the Bridgewater Hall, Wigmore Hall, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and the Lithuanian National Philharmonic.
Ugnius is a visionary musician and the driving force behind 'SONO ensemble,' an innovative chamber music group that pushes the boundaries of contemporary musical expression. Their approach to music blends seamlessly with the spirit of exploration and curiosity, infusing their performances with a mesmerising tapestry breaking free from traditional performance practices to craft unique sonic experiences.
Alongside his illustrious performing career, Ugnius is a devoted music educator. Through his teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen, he imparts his knowledge and expertise to aspiring pianists, fostering their growth and success. Many of his students have achieved remarkable accomplishments, garnering prizes in national and international piano competitions and festivals. In addition to his musical pursuits, Ugnius embraces the digital realm as a passionate YouTuber. Through his channel, he delves into key aspects of piano playing, offering insightful discussions and sharing a diverse range of performance techniques and all things related to music and piano performance.
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