Concerning the celtic harp, I'm mostly influenced by Loreena McKennitt's eclectical music, as well as Cécile Corbel's, Alan Stivell, Morgan Touzé, Katrien Delavier, Elisa Vellianiti, Siléas, Alys Howe, Sylvia Woods, Kim Robertson, Gwenaël Kerléo, Esther Lamandier, Dominig Bouchaud, Sylvie Callu (my former teacher), and so on...
I'm also very fond of artists such as Ros Sereysothea, Egschiglen, Ankata, Susheela Raman, Goran Bregovic, Dead Can Dance, Secret Garden, John Lang's Naheulband, Blandine Rannou, Louisa John-Krol, Enya, Sinéad O'Connor, Tri Yann (in their early years) and Anùna.
Medieval music with Discantus & Sequentia, Jordi Savall & his Hesperion XX ensemble, Janequin, de Machaut, and -of course- Hildegard von Bingen's great compositions... plus Becky Baxter's work with the gothic harp for Renaissance music.
Classical, lyric and Romantic music also inspire me with Hector Berlioz, Beethoven, Schubert, Ravel, Poulenc, Mozart, Bach, Ketelbey, Debussy, Hann, Satie, Saint-Saëns... I also like very much the electro-symphonic/goth band Das Ich, for their interesting dark lyricism.
I enjoy listening -from time to time- to symphonic black & trash Metal, electro/industrial too... but this has nothing to do whatsoever with my music ;-)
I've grown up mainly with Classical music, thanks to my father who is a music lover and made me being interested in it right from the beginning... He never obliged me to play any musical instrument nevertheless, as he himself wasen't a musician and didn't want me to become tired of learning an instrument, as unfortunately many children can experience.
I became really acquainted with music-learning when I entered secondary school in 1996, and belonged to the school's choir. I became quickly interested with singing, I mean, learning your OWN instrument, not mentioning the harmony with myself I was feeling when singing. I used to attend to Chorallèges every year at the Abbaye de l'Epau, along with other choirs from Sarthe.
Entering the Lycée Bellevue, I improved my knowledge of music history, theory and singing practice choosing the Music Option. Belonging to the choir, I performed at concerts in Le Mans, Château-Gontier and Angers with the national orchestra of the Pays-de-la-Loire. Performances of "Das Krönungsmesse" by Mozart, "Gloria" from Poulenc, and "Die Schöpfung" by Haydn.
Still a student at college in 2002, I also took up singing lessons with Jean-Dominique Abrell, in the frame of the Female Choir at the Conservatoire (French Academy of music). My voice really evolved since then, along with choir singing... Study of music theory the same year with Mr Bataille.
Entering the University in 2004, I choose once again the music option thus continued improving singing technique with Mrs Gaudois -then Evelyne Béché with whom I sang the duet "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" by Pergolesi. Work on musical & rythmic theory, song writing and music history with Isabelle Handy.
*** About the Celtic harp ***
I've really began learning music way back in 2001, when I studied musical theory in order to play the keyboard, then to take up piano... which I did for 3 years, until I discovered Loreena McKennitt's music and fell madly in love with the Celtic harp and its own particular universe...
At the time, I had no money to be able to afford one, as well as I wouldn't find any celtic harp teacher in such a town as Le Mans...
Until...
At a music festival, the French "Fête de la Musique", I fortunately met two talented celtic harpists named Simone Luciani and Sylvie Callu. I later on met Sylvie again and she began giving me celtic harp lessons right from July 2004. Being herself a student at the Conservatoire, Mrs Callu redirected me then there in September 2005.
So I entered the "adult section"of the Academy of music, because I was way too old to enter a student's normal course, as well as I would have had to chose playing classical harp in such a section. I took these lessons with gorgeous artist & teacher Evelyne Cabaret, who also belongs to a band called EGCDA!
I was learning celtic harp for about 6 months when I composed my first little piece, La Cité Oubliée, as well as began to attend to animations at my University.
From 2005 I did animations and concerts at the University of Le Mans, Champagné (a small town near Le Mans), the castle of Poncé-sur-le-Loir, a Britton bar in Le Mans, Crypte St Michel, a Medieval art workshop, etc.
From time to time, the wonderful djembé teacher and singer Atta Kouassi accompanies my harp on concerts with his percussions ensemble.
I performed on April 2006 at the wedding of a couple whom wanted unusual music... as well as attended to a 14th July concert with great harpist François Pernel.
I also had the pleasure to meet famous and talented harpists Elisa Vellia and Cécile Corbel for courses with the celtic harp, along with other harp students/harpists.
My first demo is out since October 2007, but I will seldomly sell it on concerts, as it isn't flawless and is kinda short (10 tunes for 21 minutes)!!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hi Charlaine - Looking for gigs, we just finished SPELLFURY Episode 6, any chance you'd tell us what you think of this one? Comments from our friends keep us going!
P.S Thanks so much for your support, please tell your friends if you like it!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
You have stunning music and an enchanting voice. I am so impressed! I know we haven't really "chatted" for many years since LiveJournal, haha, but I wanted you to know that I've sampled your recordings here and they are absolutely gorgeous. I wish you nothing but the best in the future!
Voici la programmation qui concerne le spectacle de « Tristan et Iseult – légende médiévale » pour la saison 2009/2010 D’avance je vous remercie de la diffuser et j’espère avoir l’occasion de vous rencontrer à ce spectacle. Au plaisir de vous lire, vous entendre, vous voir 2 heures de spectacle pour vous emmener dans le monde de Féerie dont ses frontières n’étaient que brumes et collines. Attention : du fait de la tradition orale chaque spectacle est unique avec Krystin Vesterälen (conteuse), Axandâra (harpe celtique), Julien Bataille (mandoline) mise en scène : Pierre Casadei les dimanches à 17h 15 novembre, 20 décembre 2009, 17 janvier, 21 février, 21 mars, 18 avril, 16 mai, 20 juin 2010 à l'Espace Quartier Latin - 37 rue Tournefort 75005 Paris le samedi 10 octobre 2009 à 17h à l'Eglise des Billettes - 22 rue des Archives 75004 Paris le dimanche 18 octobre 2009 à 17h à la chapelle ND de la Confiance - 164 rue de Saussure 75017 Pari
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
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