One of Wales’ most respected music centres is expanding with a new tuition base in Denbigh.
From September Gwynedd based music tuition centre Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (CGWM), which boasts opera singer Rhys Meirion, harpist Elinor Bennett and pianist Teleri Sian amongst its tutors, will be accepting new pupils at their second home in the town’s Theatr Twm o’r Nant.
The new Denbigh centre is opening its doors to people of all ages who are interested in instrumental or singing lessons.
The opening of the new facility provides tutor Teleri Sian, who was born and bred in Llandegla, with the perfect opportunity to relocate back to her native North Wales.
The former Ysgol Brynhyfryd pupil, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, has left her job as Head of Practice at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester and is returning to North Wales to take up the teaching role at Denbigh after a 16-year spell living in England.
“I’ve been travelling from Manchester every week for the last six years to teach at the centre’s Caernarfon base but I have always yearned for North Wales,” said Teleri who has twice won both the piano solo prize at the Urdd National Eisteddfod and the National Eisteddfod’s Instrumental Blue Riband.
The 34 year old, who has played to world-wide audiences in France,Germany, Italy, Austria, Hong Kong and America, has moved back to Dyffryn Clwyd with her husband, violin tutor Alfred Barker, and two year old son Llion Dafydd.
Teleri added: “The Caernarfon centre has been a huge success but we needed to expand to deal with the growth. Since Meinir and I are from the area, establishing this new base in Denbigh will be extra special. A dream come true!”
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Director Meinir Llwyd Jones, who lives in St Asaph, said: “I was born and bred in the area so I’m delighted we’re branching out to Denbighshire. Our aim is to replicate the professional high standard of music and singing tuition we have been providing in Gwynedd.
“We have over 380 students in Gwynedd who benefit from our professional tutors and many go on to become successful musicians in their own right.”
The centre, which is a registered charity, has already started work on projects in Denbighshire: “We recently ran a project in Rhyl with Denbighshire Arts Services called Music Magic, which worked with young people with specific needs at the Kids Fun Club. We really hope to build and develop similar projects in the area.”
For further information on the new CGWM branch at Denbigh please download an application form at www.cgwm.net or call 01286 685 230.
