Piano & Classical Guitar Duo
Despina Betini
was born
in Athens, in 1979. She studied piano and advanced theory at Attiko
Conservatory, Athens, with the renowned pianist Dimitri Toufexis and composer
Ioannis Christophilos, and received her Piano Diploma with distinction of 1st
Prize, as well as Harmony and Counterpoint Diplomas. Despina also studied at The
American College of Greece (Deree) and received her BA in Music in 2002
with distinction.
Upon graduation,
Despina moved to the UK where she studied piano with the distinguished pianist,
David Murray, at University of Newcastle, and was awarded her Masters Degree in
Performance (MMus) in 2004. She later studied at the University of Durham, and
in 2006 was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Music.
Despina has
attended several Masterclasses in Greece and England with renowned pianists such
as: Dimitri Toufexis; Orsolya Szabo; George Hatzinikos; and Sarah Beth Briggs.
She also attended the Kodály Music Institutes Pedagogy Summer Course in
Hungary.
She is
currently working with NEMCO (North-East Musicians Co-operative), teaching piano
at secondary schools, Newcastle. Despina is also an accomplished Organist and
plays organ in local churches. She collaborates with the International Piano
Magazine, and has written articles on John Cages Prepared Piano.
Emre Aki
was born in
Istanbul, in
1978. He started classical guitar and theory at the age of thirteen at
Timur Selçuk
Music
School. Emre moved to
Newcastle upon Tyne
in 1996 to continue his music studies. He initially received classical guitar
tuition with Alan Robertson, and completed his studies in advanced guitar
performance and composition with Gilbert Biberian, the internationally renowned
classical guitarist and composer.
With Despina, he
studied Piano & Classical Guitar Duo with pianist David Murray, and he studied
Cello with Tabitha Tuckett.
Emre obtained a
Higher National Diploma (HND) in Music Production in 2003 and, in 2006,
graduated from the University of Newcastle with BA in Music (Composition and
Performance). During his final year he was Conductor of the Universitys Medical
School orchestra.
Emre later
studied at the University of Durham, obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate in
Education (PGCE) in Music in 2007, and has since taught composition and music
technology at several schools in NE England. He also teaches classical guitar
and theory privately up to ABRSM Diploma level, and is gaining a reputation for
his sympathetic and inspirational teaching methods.
Emre has
attended Masterclasses by renowned soloists Emmanuel Segre and Orsolya Szabo. In
addition to performing, he has also presented his compositions
for various ensembles at Newcastle
University.
As
Piano & Classical Guitar Duo,
Despina and Emre have performed since 2006 at several concert venues including:
the American College of Greece, Athens; Newcastle University;
Washington Arts Centre; Ilissos Theatre, Athens; Onay Sanat, Istanbul; St Machar
Cathedral,
Aberdeen;
Clonard Monastery, Belfast and at
various schools across Newcastle.
Their ever
expanding repertory includes compositions by M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco, M. Ponce,
A. Vivaldi, C. M. von Weber, J. Rodrigo, G. Biberian, Emre Aki, A. Piazzolla, F.
Carulli, L. Boccherini, F. Molino, Panos Demopoulos and Terence Croucher.
Photo: Fatih Küçükçolak
Concerts
Repertory
Pictures
Links
Audio
Video