Piano Collaboration

Piano Collaboration is a series of weekly workshops focused on developing ensemble musicianship and exploring various aspects of collaborative piano performance.

Piano Collaboration at Cardiff University invites all students to engage in an immersive exploration of ensemble musicianship. This opportunity welcomes not only pianists but also vocalists and instrumentalists of all kinds, without the requirement for auditions. Participants are encouraged to form duos, trios, or quartets of various instrumentations – always including at least one pianist - thereby sculpting an environment conducive to rich musical dialogues. These sessions are tailored to complement the individual group coaching sessions provided by other members of staff.

What to expect:

• Weekly workshops led by Dr Ana Beatriz Ferreira
• Formation of collaborative ensembles, fostering peer-to-peer growth
• In-depth exploration of ensemble dynamics and performance techniques
• Constructive peer critiques and instructor feedback
• Cultivation of critical thinking and analytical skills

Piano Collaboration also offers students the opportunity to perform at the annual end-of-year showcase, open to the public. With repertoire ranging from classical to pop music, these performances are the culmination of the collaborative work developed by all participants.

The Piano Collaboration Ensemble is only open to Cardiff University School of Music students. For more information get in touch with Elin Jones - JonesE159@cardiff.ac.uk

Ensemble Leader: Dr Ana Beatriz Ferreira

Dr Ferreira is a concert pianist, researcher, and educator. Her career has led her to perform in solo and chamber music recitals - as well as in orchestral performances as a soloist - in several venues in Portugal, Spain, the UK, and Canada.

One of her most notable achievements is her extensive work on the Piano Concerto composed by the renowned Portuguese composer, Joly Braga Santos. This Concerto served as the foundation for her doctoral thesis, a significant milestone in her academic journey. Her UK premiere performance of this Concerto was met with critical acclaim, with The Classical Source describing her as 'a truly superb interpreter.'

Dr Ferreira holds both a Bachelor in Music (Honours) degree and a Master of Performance degree from the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied under the tutelage of notable mentors such as Ruth Nye MBE, Gordon Fergus-Thompson, and Dina Parakhina. Her academic pursuits culminated in a PhD in Performance, for which she received a full scholarship from Cardiff University School of Music. She has won several prizes both at piano competitions and in recognition for her scholarly achievements.

Alongside her performing career, Dr Ferreira is a piano tutor at the Junior Conservatoire of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, and a Practical Tutor at Cardiff University. She has given piano masterclasses in Portugal, a masterclass for Silpakorn University (Bangkok, Thailand), and has presented her research at conferences in Sheffield, Cambridge, and Birmingham.