Andrew Blanch and Ariel Nurhadi are both reputed classical guitarists based in Sydney. They first met at university in 2010 in Canberra where they studied music together under the tutelage of Timothy Kain, an icon of the Australian classical guitar scene. Since then their careers have flourished giving concerts and performing in competitions around the world.
Andrew's debut CD release 'Spanish Guitar Music' receiving glowing reviews from around the world "Andrew Blanch is the real deal... Extremely enjoyable from start to finish.(Classics Today, USA); "This is one of the best debut albums I have ever heard." (Soundboard Magazine, USA); "This disc secures this young musician's place amongst a glittering Australian classical guitar constellation." (Limelight Magazine, Australia) Ariel's debut CD of works from the time of Andres Segovia is due for release later this year.
This is a collaboration between close friends as well as musical colleagues. In duo Andrew and Ariel have given performances in venues as diverse as a family's living room in Mosman, to an outdoor amphitheatre at the National Arboretum in Canberra to thousands, to an evening soirée on the top floor of one of the Barangaroo towers overlooking Sydney with one of Australia's best baritones Jose Carbo.
At Humph Hall Andrew and Ariel will present a very audience friendly program with a good mix of interesting pieces from South America as well as Italy, Australia and Spain. Visit his web site.
Johanna Knoechel is a mezzo-soprano who completed her BMus Studies in Classical Singing at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2016) under the tuition of Andrew Dalton and is currently pursuing a career in classical singing and opera. Over the years she has performed in Opera Bootcamp productions of Heatwave (2011) and Overboard (2012), the Manly Musical Societies production of Godspell (2012), FAMS production of 'The Beggar's Opera' and regularly competed in Sydney Eisteddfods. As well as singing with VOX Sydney Philharmonia alongside Sydney Symphony Orchestra from 2012 - 2015, she has given solo performances at various local occasions, including DJazzex' 20 Year Dance Concert, Allambie Community Christmas Carols and FAMS Showcase (2016-2017).
In early June last year, she performed in the Australian Premier of 'The Passing Show of 1916' and was invited to be part of 'The Dowling Project' through Sydney Living Museums at Elizabeth Bay House.
At Humph Hall Johanna will delight you with some of her favourite pieces; an eclectic collection ranging across lieder, English, Italian and French Art Songs, Baroque oratorios and arias.
Visit Johanna's FaceBook site.
“Andrew Blanch is the real deal: a classical guitarist with the technique and musicality to put a personal stamp on some popular Spanish pieces, while assembling a program containing less conventional items as well. The result is extremely enjoyable from start to finish, smartly assembled for continuous listening, and above all honest.” - David Hurwitz
“Blanch’s wide dynamic range and tonal ranges bespeak a deep understanding of the music" - Jim McCutcheon
