Classical Guitar Heroines Podcast

We are honoured to have the incredible guitarist and composer, Annette Kruisbrink, as a guest. Our hosts, Bridget and Mariette, chat with Annette about composition, the Anido Guitar Duo, recording, and more! Many thanks to Eric Kruisbrink, Emma Rush, Ben Diamond, and Ricardo Marzoratti for their musical contributions to this episode.

In this episode our podcast hosts, Bridget and Mariette, chat with the engaging British guitarist Alexandra Whittingham on a wide range of topics including the music of Ernest Shand, Ralph Towner, YouTube and more. All music in this episode is available on Alexandra Whittingham's YouTube channel.

This episode features a fascinating interview with the engaging young Brazilian guitarist, Gabriele Leite, discussing her new release Gunûncho, women composers, and so much more. All audio tracks features on this episode are courtesy of Roncinante.

Our new episode features the engaging Iranian-Canadian guitarist Bahar Ossareh, in a wide-ranging conversation about her career, repertoire, and on-going artistic curiosity.

Hosts Bridget and Mariette sit down with the engaging lutenist Kristiina Watt to talk work–life balance, the music of Barbara Strozzi, and the unique challenges of travelling with a theorbo. The podcast also pays tribute to the late guitarist Joanne Castellani.

Our hosts, Bridget and Mariette, chat with the Italian guitarist, Cinzia Milani, about her career and wonderful recordings that feature the music of Ida Presti, Maria Luisa Anido, and Teresa de Rogatis. Many thanks to Brilliant Classics for permission to use audio from Cinzia’s recordings featured on this episode.

Our hosts, Bridget and Mariette, chatted with the Australian French guitarist, Ingrid Riollot, about her touching experience discovering Smallman guitars, the music of both the legendary guitarist John Williams and Cameroonian composer Francis Bebey, and more!

On this episode, Bridget and Mariette talk with the engaging Canadian Cuban guitarist, Iliana Matos. Topics include Iliana's lengthy career as a performer and teacher, the enduring legacy of the Cuban School of Guitar, the challenges of moving to Canada, and the wonderful friendship between guitar greats Leo Brouwer and Eli Kassner. A heartfelt thank-you to Rene Izquierdo and Guitar Salon International who have generously contributed recordings for this episode.

Join our hosts, Bridget and Mariette, for a fascinating conversation with rising composer Kristina Avila as we explore her creative process, the role of the guitar in contemporary music, and how she connects with today’s listeners.

On this episode we continue our chat with the wonderful Dr. Kathy Acosta Zavala, the leading authority on Vahdah Olcott Bickford’s remarkable contributions to the guitar world. Her insights and storytelling make for a truly captivating listen. A heartfelt thank-you to Robert Zaidman and Mariette Stephenson for their generous contributions of recordings for this episode.

Our hosts, Bridget and Mariette, sit down with the wonderful Dr. Kathy Acosta Zavala to explore the life and legacy of the remarkable American guitarist, Vahdah Olcott Bickford. Dr. Acosta Zavala is the leading authority on Olcott Bickford’s vast contributions to the guitar world, and her storytelling makes for a captivating listen. A heartfelt thank-you to Candice Mowbray, Neil Gladd, and Jack Silver who have generously contributed recordings for this episode.

Episode 7 features the extraordinary French guitarist Gaëlle Solal, who shares insights into her career, her approach to competitions, and much more! All featured audio was recorded live in concert and is available on Gaëlle Solal’s and the Guitar Foundation of America’s YouTube channels. Many thanks to the Guitar Foundation of America for their support of this podcast.

We are thrilled to feature on this episode American guitarist and researcher Izzy Fincher, whose passion for uncovering the untold stories of women guitarists takes center stage.

In this episode, we take a look at the six women who have won the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. Mary Akerman USA (1985) Margarita Escarpa Spain (1994) Antigoni Goni Greece (1995) Martha Masters USA (2000) Bokyung Byun South Korea (2021) Leonela Alejandro Puerto Rico (2024)

In this episode, we chat with the insightful guitarist and musicologist, Dr. Candice Mowbray, and discuss the career of the prodigious performer, teacher, and Francisco Tárrega student, Josephina Robledo.

Series 1 Episode 1 In our first episode we introduce our hosts, give sneak peaks at our upcoming episodes, pay homage to the late classical guitarists Lily Afshar and Heike Matthiesen and more.

Series 1 Episode 3 We chat with trailblazer Karen Agro and her timely work in the realm of mental health that blends medicine, music and classical guitar.

Series 1 Episode 2 Join us as we chat with the fantastic Canadian classical guitarist, Emma Rush. We discuss her concert career, promoting women composers, upcoming projects, and more!