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Victor
Nicholson
is an up and coming
Classical Guitarist whose accomplished technique and
clean playing is guaranteed to make a lasting impression
on audiences whenever he performs.
Victor
began playing the guitar in 1989 and first started with
the electric playing in several bands as a lead
guitarist. It was not until 1999 that he took an
interest in the Classical Style and decided to fully
commit to learn the instrument and to become a concert
level guitarist.
Victor
soon needed guidance and decided to take tuition. He
began his studies with Pat Robinson of Prelude Guitar
Studios, Carlisle. Immediately Pat saw an exceptional
talent in Victor and under her tuition he achieved both
grades 7, and 8 within 6 months of each other, achieving
distinctions in both.
In
2000 Victor entered the Cumbria Music Festival and
competed in the open age section of the Classical guitar
prize competing against much more experienced players.
He really impressed the judges and not only won the
guitar prize but also won the most outstanding musician
of the festival prize. Victor decided to enter the prize
the following year and was successful once again.
In 2001 Pat urged him to take his studies to the next
level and audition for a place in the Birmingham
Conservatoire of Music in Birmingham. This opportunity
would mean that Victor could study under one of his
biggest influences, Simon Dinnigan
(www.simondinnigan.com).
The audition went extremely well and later that year he
was sent notification of an unconditional offer to study
at the Conservatoire. From this point on Victor never
looked back.
In his time at the Conservatoire Victor studied under
some of the worlds top professionals. First Simon Dinnigan, but then after his departure from the college
Victor would study the rest of his time with another
remarkable player, Mark Ashford
(www.markashford.com).
Victor found this a challenge at first and Mark pushed
him harder than anybody ever had before. Mark's tuition
and inspiration had a very positive effect on Victor and
his playing was beginning to become very polished
indeed.
In
2005 Victor won the Birmingham Conservatoire Guitar
prize, adjudicated under Gerald Garcia. He was also
achieving distinctions in his performance examinations.
The Classical guitarist John Mills who was the examiner
at the Conservatoire at the time was very impressed with
both Victor’s technique and musicality. In 2006 Victor
was to become a finalist in the Ludlow Philharmonic
Concerto Prize, beating all other string participants.
This was down to an excellent performance of Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco,s Guitar Concerto in D Major,
accompanied by Dr. Robert Markham.
Victor enjoyed a fantastic experience at the
Conservatoire and took every opportunity to perform. He
has performed as a soloist, in a duo, and in a 12 piece
guitar ensemble at the Bolivar Hall in London. In
addition to Mark Ashford Victor also received coaching
and extra tuition from Mark Eden from the Eden/Stell Duo
(www.edenstellduo.com).
Since his time at the Conservatoire he has joined forces
with a wide selection of instrumentalists including;
Flute, Cello, Clarinet, and also worked with soprano
vocalist Victoria Wilson (www.victoriajwilsonsoprano.com).
But Victor's biggest collaboration was that of a successful guitar
duo with friend Colin Elsworth
(www.colinelsworth.com).
He has played and studied in Masterclasses under
some of the world's top classical guitarists such as;
Gary Ryan, Fabio Zannon, Ricardo Iznaola, Emmanuelle
Segre, Michael Lewin, Neil Smith, and many more.
In
2006 Victor graduated with a Bmus Honours degree. He now
spends his time both teaching and playing recitals in
and around the Midlands.
Victor teaches for both Worcestershire and Coventry music
service and also in The Priory School, Edgbaston.
Victor
was born in Cleator Moor, Cumbria in the Lake District.
He is now living in Kings Heath, Birmingham.
Victor plays a
Stephen Hill, Cedar, Lattice Guitar supplied by Kent
Guitar Classics
(www.kentguitarclassics.com) .
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