Maltese pianist Marcelle Zahra is in the final year of her postgraduate studies (MMus) at Trinity College of Music in London supported by the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme, The Janatha Stubbs Bursary and Trinity College London Scholarship. She is currently studying with British acclaimed pianist Philip Fowke. In 2003 Marcelle was the recipient of the Ian Tomlin Napier/Malta Scholarship where she studied with Simon Coverdale and in 2006 was selected and awarded a scholarship from Napier University to study at Central Washington University in Seattle with Dr John Pickett. Subsequently Marcelle graduated from Napier University (Edinburgh) in 2007 with First Class Honours in Music and was awarded the University Class Award Medal “in recognition of her outstanding
achievements”.
She has participated in masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Martino Tirimo, Rivka Golani, Richard Markson, Denize Arman Gelenbe, Ivana Ivancheva and John Howard. Marcelle is a regular performer appearing as a soloist as well as an accompanist and chamber musician in venues across Edinburgh, London and Malta. Performance highlights include a BBC broadcast of newly discovered folk song arrangements by Beethoven in 2005, placing second in the Edinburgh Festival Competition Piano Solo class, being selected to perform as part of the Napier Showcase at the prestigious Queens Hall in Edinburgh, and an invitation by the Malta Arts Festival 2007 to give a Solo Debut Recital at St James Cavalier, Valletta. Marcelle has recently recorded and premiered two piano works written by two young composers based in London.
In addition to her performing career, Marcelle is an enthusiastic and active piano tutor, teaching pupils from across the age range at diverse levels. Marcelle Zahra will perform live in concert at Sala Isouard, Manoel Theatre on Friday, 31 July at 7.30pm
How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?
26, Aquarius, 19 February 1983.
What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?
Making music!
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
An undamaged earth and a world without conflicts.
What is your favourite occupation?
I am very passionate about my music career so I would say being a pianist.
What is your greatest fear?
Ill health and not fulfilling all the things I wish to do and experience in life.
What is it that you most value in your friends?
Respect and reliability.
How would you like to die?
I tend not to think about this too often but I guess I would like to be around family and loved ones.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Classical recordings and scores (which I look at as an investment rather than an extravagance, it makes me feel better).
What is your greatest regret?
Missing the last concert by Alfred Brendel in London last year before he retired.
What is your most treasured possession?
My childhood photos, they bring happy memories.
Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?
I’m not aware of any other talents. Being a pianist leaves you with very little time for anything else; in many ways it’s more work than a full-time job.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being totally alone.
Where would you like to live?
London is fun, plenty to see and do, but I could do with a climate a bit more similar to the Mediterranean one!
What is your most marked
characteristic?
The determination which drives me to work hard and achieve my aims.
Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?
My parents. They are the most influential figures and role models in my life.
What is it that you most
dislike?
Many things depending on the situation, but I guess I can’t stand people fidgeting and talking during a performance.
What is your motto?
I have lots of them but two of my favourite ones which I tend to personally use often are: “Everything happens for a reason” and “Less is more”.