Piano/keyboards 1E

Cheslav has performed internationally as a pianist at renowned venues, on radio and television in many different contexts, playing everything from Beethoven to free jazz. Since 2011, he has been actively involved in contemporary classical music, having co- founded the audiovisual group a=b=x=y. As s composer he has written in genres ranging from solo pieces to works for symphony orchestra. He is also the co-founder of Our 'PL'ace Foundation, through which, among other activities, he co-curates an annual International Audiovisual Art Festival. As an educator, he is the author of two academic courses on music appreciation, based on the methodology set out by Dr Craig White of Yale University. Cheslav remains active in searching for extended playing techniques on the border between acoustic and electronic music, plays the organ, has a keen interest in tuning systems and is an active student and researcher of Gurba¯n?i¯ San?gi¯ta, having had the immense fortune of being able to work with and for its foremost exponent Bhai Baldeep Singh since 2013.

Lindsey Fillingham (flute, piano, chamber music and improvisation tutor) graduated with BMus(Hons) from the University of Cape Town in 2009 and went on to study in Stockholm (KMH), Manchester (RNCM), and privately with Kate Hill (RAM). She has played with the likes of the Hallé, the Cape Philharmonic, and Orchestra of the Swan in venues including Royal Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields, has performed as a soloist with the Johannesburg Philharmonic, and broadcast for BBC’s Songs of Praise and Sunday Worship. Lindsey is carrying out PhD research at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, into group classical improvisation. She has led improvisation workshops and courses at the University of Cape Town, City Lit and Barbican’s OpenFest, amongst others. Lindsey loves performing to diverse communities, and is equally at home singing in school workshops or playing in care settings. She is a member of soundSPARK wind quartet and, with the Ashdown Duo, the Musicians in Hospitals and Care scheme. Lindsey is passionate about passing on the joy of music-making, and teaches at City Lit and Kensington Prep School.

Sarha is an experienced teacher and gigging musician, performing on the saxophone, arranging and composing on the piano, in classical, jazz and world music genres. Her principal band, Bollywood Brass Band, is the UK’s pioneering Indian-style wedding band, performing tunes and compulsively danceable rhythms of Bollywood films. Twice nominated for Songlines World Music Awards, the band has performed across the world in concerts, festivals, and Indian weddings in the UK, Europe, India, Thailand and South Africa. Sarha played with Ghanaian Highlife band Orchestre Jazira, and socialist big band, The Happy End. She also plays in the Charlie Mingus jazz cover band Hog Callin’, The Great Yiddish Parade marching band and Freylekh klezmer band. Sarha’s specialist area is World Music, and she has a PhD on the study of the Flattened Supertonic across different cultures. At CityLit she teaches jazz and classical piano, saxophone, world music styles (practical and academic courses), musicianship and music theory.

Andriana holds a BA in Piano Performance, an MA in Performing Arts and a PhD in Piano Performance Practice. She has been teaching children and adults of all ages and levels for about 20 years. She has participated in many different kinds of performances around the world as a solo pianist, ensemble member, director, writer, librettist, composer, songwriter, curator. She is a founding member of music ensembles, such as The Vladimir&Estragon Piano Duo, Oiseaux Bizarres Ensemble and Coocoolili (a weird cabaret regularly performed at Jamboree, London).

Gisela is a multi-skilled musician: She works as a pianist, piano accompanist, classical soprano, cellist and teacher. Following undergraduate studies in Frankfurt-am-Main and a postgraduate diploma (piano) in Weimar, Gisela obtained a MMus in Accompaniment at the Guildhall School for Music and Drama. She has also studied singing privately with Jessica Cash, focussing primarily on oratorio and art songs. Gisela performs regularly in recitals as a soloist (as pianist or singer) and also sings and plays in a variety of chamber ensembles. In her freelance work she accompanies concerts, exams and recitals for professionals, students of various music colleges and Grade exam canditates. She is a consultant for Islington Sixth Form college, with her roles ranging from accompaniment and teaching to the conducting of exams and auditions. Gisela has taught at City Lit since 2001. Presently, she teaches Chamber music (Advanced and Intermediate) and Piano.