OFFICIAL | University of Leeds International Concert Series | Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall
06/03/2025
Discover the artists joining us for a gala concert this Sunday...
LIZZIE GURNEY | ASHRUTA MANI | EL CLARKE | JEN TOWNSEND | CHRIS HUGHES
Join us for the concert! Book a ticket here: https://concerts.leeds.ac.uk/events/sunday-gala/
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Lizzie Gurney is a flautist from Ilkley, with a varied repertoire from Baroque to more contemporary pieces. In 2023, she received a first-class music degree from the University of Liverpool. Currently, Lizzie is a master’s student at the University of Leeds studying Music Performance. Within her degree she is undertaking projects that focus on French flute music and flute ensembles. Lizzie is also part of Leeds University Union Music in the Community (LUUMIC), volunteering at music sessions in care homes, St George’s Crypt, and other community music projects. Alongside her degree she teaches flute and piano to a small number of pupils of different abilities and ages. In September, Lizzie also joined the Phoenix Concert Band as principle flute, continuing her love for ensemble playing and performance.
Ashruta Mani is a percussionist and composer from Chennai, currently based in West Yorkshire. She is currently training under Delia Stevens as a part of her undergraduate degree in Music. Having dual specialisms allows Ashruta to write music that she can perform herself. Her vibraphone solo 'Transience' was showcased for Leeds Light Night 2023, in collaboration with Hannah Guy as part of the 'Light Can Also Rhyme' exhibit. Ashruta has periodically performed in the percussion section for the Sinfonia of Leeds, York Symphony Orchestra and Yorkshire Wind Orchestra between 2022-2024. Alongside her undergraduate degree, Ashruta was an active member of the LUU Music Society and was the percussion section leader for the Symphonic Wind Orchestra in 2022-23. In the same year, she co-founded the LUUMS Percussion Ensemble with the aim of making the music and instruments more accessible to new percussionists.
Jen graduated from Leeds College of Music (Leeds Conservatoire) with a 1st class Honours degree. She has been awarded numerous awards and scholarships, including winning the LUUMS String Orchestra Concerto Competition, 2nd prize in the Royal Maas International Competition, the John Sheerer Prize for Woodwind, The Robert Tebb Trophy for Outstanding Performance, the Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Concerto Award, the Friends Scholarship, the Rotary Scholarship and she came 2nd in the prestigious Purmerade International Solo Competition. Jen has performed as a soloist in Israel and Holland and at venues across the UK, including Leeds Art Gallery, Ripon Cathedral, Wakefield Cathedral, Hexham Abbey, the Universities of Leeds, York and Leicester, Leeds College of Music and Buxton Opera House where she performed the Ibert Flute Concerto with orchestral backing. In addition to her performing career, Jen has over 15 years of teaching experience, with a particular interest in teaching students of grade 8 and above. Alongside her busy schedule, she is undertaking the highly-regarded MMus in Performance at the University of Leeds.
Chris has played the piano ever since he was 5 years old, and attended Chetham’s School of Music for his sixth form education. Christopher enjoyed an Organ Scholarship with the Catholic Cathedral in Leeds and the tutelage of Cathedral Organist David Pipe. Chris is a graduate of the School of Music, as well as the Royal College of Music. While at Leeds, Chris had the honour to perform Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto, a personal favourite, with the Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ben Frampton.
El Clarke is a final year percussionist and conductor, starting their orchestral percussion journey at age 15. El has performed in a multitude of ensembles within the School of Music and LUUMS, and is now tackling more experimental percussion repertoire, both in performance and composition.
