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Press Releases
Final nine classical stars named for academy
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The final nine classical musicians have been selected to attend the Classical Star Music Academy, it was revealed last night (Tuesday 16 October) at the end of the first episode of 91Èȱ¬ Two's exciting new series Classical Star.
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For one exceptional young musician, the opportunity of a lifetime is one step nearer, as the judges – Charles Hazlewood, Chi-chi Nwanoku, Steve Abbott and Jason Lai – revealed the nine contestants selected to attend the Music Academy under the watchful eye of Classical Star Music Director Matthew Barley.
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They are:
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- Danielle Audley-Wiltshier
- Sophie Cashell
- Karen Geoghegan
- Victoria Goldsmith
- Emily Hooker
- Ben MacDougall
- Tyler Rix
- Jeanine Thorpe
- Ian Watt
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One of these talented youngsters will win a top record deal with Universal Classics and Jazz, and the chance to launch their dream career.
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The series continues next Tuesday 23 October at 9pm and follows the contestants as they stay at the academy to hone their skills and learn the new ones they will need to become well-rounded musicians and recording artists.
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Acclaimed musician and mentor Matthew Barley will take them through a series of masterclasses including recording, performance, presentation, collaboration and improvisation.
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Over the next three weeks, viewers will see the students perform a final challenge before the panel of judges. Two contestants will then be heading home, leaving just three for the grand final.
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The three have just six weeks to prepare for the final performance that has the potential to make them classical music superstars and change their lives forever.
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The finalists
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Danielle Audley-Wiltshier from Chesterfield found a cornet in a cupboard when she was four and started having lessons. She moved on to the trumpet and loves the versatility of the instrument and how it plays in a wide range of styles including jazz, blues, orchestral and classical. Danielle has a wide range of musical influences including rock, techno and jazz and believes that classical music isn't for geeks as most people think. At 14, Danielle is the youngest student in the Classical Star Fame Academy and the only brass player.
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Sophie Cashell, 19, from County Dublin in Ireland started playing the violin when she was just four years old but turned her attentions to the piano when she was five. With a performance in Wigmore Hall already under her belt, Sophie's ultimate ambition is to have a performance career with solo and chamber music. In her spare time she reads, listens to a wide range of music including Radiohead and the Kinks, and is an avid supporter of the Irish rugby team.
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Karen Geoghegan, 19, grew up with her musical family in West Lothian. She started playing the violin aged six but discovered the bassoon on a shelf when she was 12 and just gave it a go. Since then she has won the concerto competition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and now studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Karen loves the versatility of the bassoon and wants to show the world its beauty as a solo instrument, something not often seen.
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Victoria Goldsmith, 16, is half Russian and divides her time between her studies in Russia and her family home in Essex. She discovered her gift for the violin when she was 13 while studying in New York. She is passionate about music, having played the piano since she was three or four. Inspired by a visit to a music school in St Petersburg, Victoria took up the violin when she was six-and-a-half. Also a fan of jazz, Victoria loves performing in public and hopes this competition will be the beginning of her musical career and give her the freedom to develop as a musician.
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Emily Hooker, 18, from Woodham in Surrey was introduced to the piano at the age of six by her parents. Their instinct that she might enjoy it was absolutely right as she started to win local competitions. Now she has a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music and spends five hours a day practising. Her musical highlight so far was a performance she gave last year in the Czech Republic. If she can't fulfil her dream of playing in the greatest concert halls across the world, she would love to be a sports commentator.
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Ben MacDougall, 19, from Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, grew up surrounded by music. His aunt, a professional opera singer, gave him singing lessons at an early age while he waited until his hands were big enough to play the flute. For Ben a future outside music is not a possibility and his dream in 20 year's time would be to make the flute – and classical music – mainstream in popular culture. His career highlight was being complimented by William Bennett when he performed at the BFS International Convention.
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Tyler Rix, 14, has played the saxophone since the age of nine. Tyler, from North London, is also a talented footballer and was signed to West Ham when he was eight. He was also part of this year's winning English Schools' National FA Cup team. Tyler progressed quickly once he started playing the saxophone and recently was proud to have played as part of Junior Guildhall Symphony Orchestra. As well as football, Tyler has a wide range of interests including fishing and playing pool.
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Jeanine Thorpe from Framlingham in Suffolk used to sit on her grandfather's lap and watch the Proms when she was just two, fixated by the violin. Her pleading for a violin paid off when she was given one for her fourth birthday. Jeanine, 18, now studies at the Royal College of Music and aims to be a solo artist-in-residence for a symphony orchestra. She believes that music shouldn't be perceived as music for the upper class and wants to be able to bring music to young people who haven't had a chance to play an instrument before. She also enjoys drama and reef diving.
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Ian Watt's passion for the guitar was sparked by Dire Straits, but it was the Beatles who inspired him to take up the guitar seriously when he was nine. The 16-year-old from Fraserburgh in Scotland performed with a local rock band before he turned his attention to the classical guitar. Ian strongly believes that people don't appreciate the beauty in classical music or indeed listen carefully enough in a society surrounded by ugly sounds. He dreams of being an international ambassador for classical music.
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Viewers can also follow the exploits of the final nine online at bbc.co.uk/classicalstar.
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