We are delighted to welcome back Anne Niepold and Andy Cutting to teach this extended course (please note earlier start and later finish) at Halsway Manor for advanced, and advanced-intermediate level D/G melodeon players.
This will be an intensive week of skills-based learning focusing on your development as a musician, discovering new ways to interpret and play, and to make the music your own. You need to be open to trying new things, and to be prepared to work hard – it will be intensive but also an enjoyable and rewarding week, with time to relax in the evenings and enjoy informal sessions.
The group – limited to approximately 20 students – will be split in two by the tutors at the start of the course; you’ll spend roughly the same amount of time with each tutor. This will be done according to ability level; if you are coming with friends this may mean you will be working in different groups, but there’s plenty of informal time to meet, chat and play with others.
Arrival is from noon on Monday, with lunch at 1pm, and work begins after lunch! The course ends with lunch on Friday.
Who is it for?
- This course is for advanced and advanced-intermediate level players of the DG melodeon (If you also have a box in GC, bring that along as well).
- Please read the Halsway Melodeon Levels description carefully before you make a booking, this course is for levels 4 and 5.
- If you are a motivated level 3 but not-quite level 4 player and would like to come, please give us a call. There will be two groups based on ability and you may be suited to the intermediate group.
- If you have any doubts please email us for advice, thank you.
Click here for Halsway Melodeon Levels
The Tutors
Anne Niepold (Belgium) is an extraordinary accordionist and composer. A passionate tutor with almost 20 years experience. Anne holds a masters degree in composition and arrangement from the prestigious Brussels Royal Conservatoire and has taught courses for all levels of ability across Belgium, and in France and Germany. As a performer she is a true force of nature; brash, adventurous and phenomenally skilled, she takes the humble accordion in startling directions. Beside her solo projects, she performs with numerous arts companies at home and abroad, and has numerous recordings to her name.
Andy Cutting is a soulful and technically outstanding melodeon player with an ear for a fine tune. He is also a warm and emotive performer, modestly engaging his audiences with his self-deprecating wit and then flooring them with downright staggering musicianship. Andy has been consistent musical force since he came swiftly to prominence with the innovative Blowzabella. As well as a thorough grounding in the English tradition, Andy’s influences extend way beyond these isles, particularly to the music of Central France and to the storming Quebecois tradition.