We are delighted to welcome Guangyue Du and Didzis Kalniņš. Their programme will include

Li Zì Lì (b.1938) Harvest Fishermen’s song

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No.3 op.108

Guangyue Du (Rachel) moved to Ireland from China in 2000 following her studies at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. After subsequent studies at the TUD Conservatory of Music, she graduated with a MA in Classical String Performance from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and embarked on a successful career as a performer and educator.

In demand as a freelance violinist, she regularly performs with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra and many of Ireland's finest musicians and groups. As a soloist Rachel has performed at venues around the country including the National Concert Hall and Cork Opera House, and for RTÉ Lyric FM.

Pianist Dr Didzis Kalniņš is an accomplished performer, chamber musician, and educator. In 2023, he earned a Doctorate in Music Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Trinity College Dublin. Originally from Latvia but now residing in Ireland, Didzis has performed in numerous prestigious venues, including the National Concert Hall, Christ Church Cathedral Dublin, The National Gallery, The Mansion House, Kylemore Abbey and King House in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, among others. Moreover, Didzis has given recitals globally, including countries such as Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Latvia, Estonia, and Brazil.

Didzis completed his undergraduate studies at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and attained a Master's degree in Piano performance from the Conservatorio di Musica di Vicenza 'Arrigo Pedrollo' in Italy under the tutelage of Professor Marco Tezza. During his time in Italy, Didzis appeared as a concerto soloist with l'Orchestra Regionale Veneta and the Symphony Orchestra of the Conservatorio di Vicenza

'Arrigo Pedrollo.' He also won the 'Premio Claudio Abbado 2015' along with soprano Selena Colombera.

From 2018-2023, Didzis pursued full-time doctoral studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Professors Therese Fahy and Denise Neary, focusing on performance and research in music.

Didzis is a member of the Society for Musicology in Ireland (SMI) and has presented lecture recitals in artistic research conferences both in Ireland and abroad. His current research focus centres around the artistic qualities and perspectives of the sostenuto pedal. This includes the World Premiere of a new commissioned piece, Surfacing, for the sostenuto pedal by Rhona Clarke, held on June 23, 2023, at the National Concert Hall. The Fingal County Council and the Wicklow County Arts Office supported the commission and the performance of Surfacing.

Apart from being an accomplished performer, Didzis is also a seasoned educator with extensive experience teaching students ranging from beginners to Master’s level of the conservatoire. He has taught piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and, since 2019, Didzis has served on the panel of Music examiners.

Didzis was awarded the distinguished ‘Latvijas lepnums Īrijā 2023’ award of ‘Excellence in Music’ in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of music.

Some of the upcoming performances include a chamber music recital in the National Concert Hall, Clifden Arts Festival and West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival.