International Chairs in Music
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is proud to
announce the appointment of five new International Chairs in Music,
generously funded by the Jane Hodge Foundation.
They are:
Barbara Bonney, The Jane Hodge Foundation
International Chair in Voice
Barbara Bonney is one of the world's most accomplished lyric
sopranos with an international reputation, particularly for her
performances in operatic roles by Mozart and Richard Strauss.
She is increasingly recognised as one of the finest Lieder and
concert performers of her generation. She is currently Professor at
the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and Guest Professor at the
Royal Academy of Music in London
Polina Leschenko, The Jane Hodge Foundation
International Chair in Piano
The Russian pianist Polina Leschenko made her solo début at the
age of eight with the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra in St
Petersburg. At the age of 16 she received her Higher Diploma with
the greatest distinction from the Royal Conservatory in Brussels,
and has recorded her debut CD for EMI. She made a hugely successful
debut in the UK with the Hallé Orchestra, conducted by Sir Mark
Elder with whom she went on to tour in South America. She is an
accomplished and admired chamber musician.
Rachel Podger, The Jane Hodge Foundation
International Chair in Baroque Violin
Rachel is a leading English violinist who specialises in baroque
and classical violin. She was appointed Concert Master of the
English Concert in 1997 with whom she tours extensively as leader
and soloist, and she is a member of the Palladian Ensemble. Rachel
has given solo and ensemble performances across Europe and is
frequently broadcast on BBC radio. Her recently released CDs of
Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas received critical acclaim.
Rachel has collaborated regularly with the
College, and her appointment as International Chair will extend her
work with the College’s students specialising in historically
informed performance.
Simon Halsey The Jane Hodge Foundation
International Chair in Choral Directing
Simon Halsey is one of the world’s leading conductors of choral
repertoire, regularly conducting prestigious orchestras and choirs
both in Europe and North America. He has been Chorus Director of
the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus for over 25 years and is
Chief Conductor of the Berlin Radio Choir.
Simon Halsey’s collaboration with the College began in 2008,
with the launch of an MA in Choral Conducting. This course, now
offered as a separate Masters award, has greatly extended
opportunities for British choral trainers.
Christian Lindberg, The Jane Hodge
Foundation International Chair in Trombone
Swedish trombone virtuoso Christian Lindberg is one of the
greatest exponents of the instrument. He has performed the
premieres of hundreds of new pieces for the trombone, including
over seventy concertos. He is also a notable conductor and
composer.
‘These International Chairs in Music are, without exception,
inspirational artists who have made a distinctive mark in their
field of performance. They’re also artists who are committed to
supporting the rising generation of performers. Through them, our
students will be exposed to some of the best teachers in the world.
I’m enormously grateful to the Jane Hodge Foundation for its
generosity and encouragement which has enabled this
development.’ said College Principal, Hilary Boulding.