Last week I had my first Thesis Advisory Panel Meeting (TAP). At University of York these happen every 6 months, and are a chance to review progress, set goals and get feedback beyond the supervisor. It includes some written work that is submitted beforehand, and then a half hour discussion. Who was on my progress… Continue reading PhD Diaries #4 : My First Progress Review
My first PhD performance research project is a chance for me to explore how my planning, practice, and preparation for alternative context performances differ from more traditional classical concerts. To do this, I’ve been collecting data from practice journals, emails between myself and venue organisers, transcriptions of rehearsals with the composer etc. This research is… Continue reading PhD Diaries #3:First Attempt at Coding Auto-ethnographic Data
Figuring out the bones of an initial methodology this week has left me with more questions than when I started! I’m putting myself at the center of my inquiry, and I am fully embracing that subjectivity. Who knows better than me my training, experiences, biases and fears? But it turns out maybe I don’t know… Continue reading PhD Diaries #2: Piloting a Methodology
In an online Deep Listening workshop last week, we were asked to look around our rooms and think about an object and its sound potentials. There are bells that hang on my curtain rods, but they never ring, they are purely ornamental. I felt an overwhelming sadness that the bells weren’t doing what they were… Continue reading PhD Diaries #1; First Explorations of Deep Listening
“Everyone here is a peer; no-one is above, no-one is below.” That’s how Shanna Pranaitis started the Flute Xpansions Creativity Intensive weekend, setting the tone for the most collaborative, nurturing, creative course I’ve ever attended. With guest speakers and faculty like Matthias Ziegler and Anne la Berge on board, it could have been hard not… Continue reading Flute Xpansions Creativity Intensive
I love teaching flute on Zoom! And I’ve truly been on both sides of the table because my first lessons post-university were done online. Luckily my teacher was super professional and I learnt a lot about how to embrace online learning. Whilst it may be different to the in-person experience, there are some advantages. I… Continue reading Teaching Flute Online – Part One : Setting up your online teaching studio
A genuine passion and love for the music I’m playing drives my performances. I love analysing scores, figuring out unique opportunities for interpretation, experimenting with new sounds. But back in 2010 during my undergrad, I could barely pick up my flute without feeling like a failure. I felt so out of place within the world… Continue reading Finding My Voice
When the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, I felt like my career had been cancelled. All the gigs I had planned, the tour, the interdisciplinary projects - everything was suddenly dropped, and I was left adrift. I’m a live artist, my practice is based in improvisation and performance and suddenly I wasn’t allowed… Continue reading The Making of Strata: Our Lockdown Recordings
Improvisation gives my students the chance to be creative, work on a range of techniques and practice collaborative playing.
I have a confession to make. I actually love playing scales. I know, I know, what sort of a loser enjoys scales?! But I wasn’t always this way, in fact all the way through school, university and beyond I loathed and dreaded playing scales, putting it off and feeling guilt and anxiety for how often… Continue reading How I learned to love scales (really!)
naomiperera.com 