Amanda Cook
Amanada will be a tutor at the Classical Guitar Festival 2025
Amanda dubbed "the 'guitar queen' with a silken touch" by The Independent. A much loved teacher, soloist and member of the critically acclaimed Vida Guitar Quartet.
West Dean International Classical Guitar Festival 2025 with Amanda Cook, Andrew Gough, Alexandra Whittingham, Vincent Lindsey-Clark, Bridget Mermikides, Tatiana Stachak and Pavel Steidl
Ref: SCG33213
About this course
Outstanding learning and performing opportunities through repertoire and technique classes, ensemble playing, guitar orchestra, student concerts, individual lessons and solo masterclasses. Working with internationally acclaimed artists you will study in an ensemble group according to your level (Grade 2 and above). Includes a guitar Open Day and an evening concert series with Pavel Steidl; Alexandra Whittingham; Jan Depreter and the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet.
Sponsored by Altamira Guitars, Maestoso Music, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Classical Guitar Magazine, Luthier Strings, Classical Guitar Centre Birmingham, D'Addario Strings and Knobloch Strings.
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: ANDREW GOUGH with Pavel Steidl, Amanda Cook, Bridget Mermikides, Tatiana Stachak, Alexandra Whittingham and Vincent Lindsey-Clark.
Sponsored by Altamira Guitars, Maestoso Music, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Classical Guitar Magazine, Luthier Strings, Classical Guitar Centre Birmingham, D'Addario Strings and Knobloch Strings.
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: ANDREW GOUGH with Pavel Steidl, Amanda Cook, Bridget Mermikides, Tatiana Stachak, Alexandra Whittingham and Vincent Lindsey-Clark.
Course Description
Find out more about the Classical Guitar Festival, course and concerts.
Timetable
Guitar Festival Timetable
Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for the festival week will be given to you on arrival.
Arrival day
Residential students to arrive from 2 - 3pm, non-residential students to arrive by 3pm
3.30pm: Welcome and introduction, attendance is essential
4.45pm: First teaching session, followed by dinner (included)
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 6pm, lunch is included
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included)
Evening working - students may have access to teaching rooms until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 2pm, lunch is included
Residential students should vacate their rooms by 10am please.
General Information
Tutors
Andrew Gough
Andrew Gough is Head of Guitar at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department and also teaches at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. Andrew has been a tutor at the West Dean International Classical Guitar Festival since 2003 and has been the festival’s director since 2013.
Alexandra Whittingham
Alexandra will be a performer and tutor at the Classical Guitar Festival 2025
Recognised by The Guardian as “a young 21st-century virtuoso”, Alexandra Whittingham’s creative spirit is reshaping classical music and defying conventions. At the age of 16 she began to film her performances of popular guitar repertoire as a personal project, rapidly creating a large community of fans worldwide with over 56 million views.
Vincent Lindsey-Clark
English guitarist Vincent Lindsey-Clark is well known for his compositions for the instrument. He writes music for both students and professionals, much of which has been used extensively by the major exam boards and performed all round the world.
Bridget Mermikides
Bridget Mermikides is a well-known classical guitarist living in London and has over 30 years of performing and teaching experience. Her longstanding column in Guitar Technique’s magazine has culminated in over 100 solo arrangements now published in 4 volumes by Hal Leonard and her much loved ensemble arrangements are published online by Viribus Music.
Tatiana Stachak
Tatiana will be a tutor at the Classical Guitar Festival 2025
Guitarist, composer and educator and since 2021 as well as lecturer at the Academy of Music in Kraków. Already during her studies at the Academy of Music in Wrocław, she turned her interest towards the education of children.
Pavel Steidl
Pavel will be a performer and tutor at the Classical Guitar festival 2025
Pavel is a celebrated international concert artist, who has entertained audiences with his unique artistry in over forty countries. A highly respected tutor and thoughtful composer for the guitar.
Accommodation
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Courses of interest
Musical instrument making – traditional stringed and keyboard instruments
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Classical guitar performance
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£298
String ensemble course with the Chilingirian Quartet
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£681