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Biography |
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Gerda
Abts studied mandolin and chamber music with Florian Heyerick at
the "Koninklijk Vlaams Muziek Conservatorium" in Antwerp
where she got her artist degree with great distinction in 1991 She
received a concert degree in 1995 for mandolin at the "Hochschule
für Musik" in Wüppertal (Germany) where she studied
with Marga Wilden-Hüsgen. She attended various master classes
given by a.o. Vincent Hladky and Detlev Tewes…
At
the International Mandolin Competition in Vienna she won a first
prize. Gerda plays regularly with all the main orchestra's in Belgium
like the "Symfonisch Orkest van de Munt", the "Vlaamse
Opera", the "Koninklijke Filharmonie van Vlaanderen",
the "Vlaams Radio Orkest", and many other chamber music
like "Champs d'action", the Beethoven Academie" and
"Prima la Musica". The world famous baritone José
Van Dam asked her several times to accompany the aria "Deh
vieni alla finestra" from the opera "Don Giovanni"
by Mozart.
Gerda gave recitals in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands,
and Spain. She played several pieces on the CD "Marc Brillouet
stelt voor…Marc Meersman". She founded and leads the "Antwerp
Mandolin Orchestra".
Gerda Abts teaches at the music academy of Lier (departments Lier and Nijlen), Wijnegem (departments Schilde and Zoersel Sint-Antonius) and Brasschaat. She is also temporary professor at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp.
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Info: on page Contact
Music Academies Belgium: on page links
Gerda Abts teaches mandolin as professor in the following high schools (university degree):
Gerda Abts with baroque mandolin (up). Bottom: Gerda and one of her pas students mandolin Marte De Leeuw 2012 on a concert in the historical Rocockshuis (museum) of Antwerp
Gerda with her past students Maria and Elina Markatatou during a concert in 2016 at Millegem church
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Elina and Maria Markatatou, two sisters from Heraklion (Crete) studied music from an early age. They soon fel in love on the mandolin. Although most of Greek families have a home musician, higher studies in music is not hightly appreaciated. So they both first studied mathematics. But after studies, they could't escape unemployment in the deep Greek economical crisis. So they decided to realise their dream abroad and chose to study higher mandolin with Gerda Abts. When they did they first proofs at the Antwerp Royal conservatory the jury noticed their passion for music and talent. Although they where already virtuous in the totally different styles of Greek mandolin, they got an excellent master proof, after studies. They are now continuing with studies of baroque mandolin. Beside the classical music, they want to further explore the four forms of different traditional Greek music. They established the group 'Belgriego' for this four forms of Greek music, where mandolins and guitar play together with strings and singers. They are now giving several perfomances and are working for a doctorate. |
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Marte De Leeuw started at age of eight mandolin at the Stedelijke Academie voor Muziek, Woord en Dans te Lier, where finished in 2011 at the highest level in Gerda Abts' classes. Also with Gerda Abts she studied mandolin at the Koninklijk Vlaams Conservatorium of Antwerp. In 2016 she got her master diploma for the jury with Prof. Marga Wilden-Hüsgen. In 2011 she got a price in the Dexia-Classics competition. At the end of 2012 she played the mandolin with the Antwerp Phylharmonics performing the 7nd symphony of G. Mahler. She also studied with Marga Wilden-Hüsgen, Juan Carlos Munoz, Marie Fe Pavón, Marijke Wiesenekker, Nelleke ter Berg, Martine Sikkenk and Danielle de Rover. |
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Saar Wijns
achieved her master diploma Music therapy at the Lemmensinstituut (Luca arts) in Leuven. She was prepared by her mandolin education at the Muziekacademie Lier with mentor Gerda Abts, she ended this mandolin studies during her higher studies for therapy with the highest degree.
Beside mandolin she also learned to play other instruments, such as piano, guitar, percussion and singing in the Lemmens institute. She is now working as a music therapeute. |
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