Amanda Cook

Amanda is one of the leading guitarists of her generation. She has performed and given masterclasses in the USA, South America and throughout Europe. In the UK she has performed at the South Bank and Wigmore Hall. Her highly acclaimed performances are always noted for their sensitive musicality, fluid technique, and ability to draw the audience in to her world.

Amanda's first teacher was Alexander Levtov. She then went on to study with Charles Ramirez at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music, with the help of a scholarship. She then carried on to do her music degree at the RCM, as a Foundation Scholar, continuing with Mr Ramirez and then with Jakob Lindberg and Gary Ryan. Whilst at the College Amanda won several prizes for her performances, and outside of College she won the 1995 Admira Young Guitarist of the Year, 1997 Ivor Mairants Guitar Award and the 1998 Carol Evershed Martin Award for solo instrumentalists.

Amanda has had several composers dedicate works to her including Robert Boyle (Voices of Origin, for her Wigmore Hall debut 2003), Paul Gregory (Micro Prelude 2000), Cristiano Porqueddu (Amanda 1998) and William Lovelady (This Morning In Omagh the Sun Rose Again, written for the 1st Anniversary of the bombing in N.Ireland 1998).

Television and Radio broadcasts have been given in Brazil, Spain, Peru and the UK. Amanda has also been interviewed and played live on BBC Radio 3 "In Tune" and BBC Radio 4 "Woman's Hour".

Amanda is a big fan of chamber music and has worked with the flautist Lucy Noble and tenor Andrew Locke Nicholson. Her most recent venture is with the guitar trio Appassionata, along with Rebecca Baulch and Hayley Savage they released their debut album "Let Go" in 2005 with dedicated works from Paulo Bellinati, Ned Bennett and Bruce Macombie.

Amanda also has a solo CD "Debut", a guitar quartet release for the Dundee Guitar Festival and has collaborated with the Director of the Registry of Guitar Tutors in the production of two CD's to accompany repertoire books..

Amanda has sat on the jury for several International Competitions and regularly adjudicates music festivals in the UK. She is a patron of the Federation of Guitar Societies, and a life member of the West Sussex Guitar Club.

www.amandacook.co.uk