The Luna Duo
About Us
The Luna Duo are the ensemble of Emily Hicks (flute) and Oliver Kinsella (classical guitar). Both are current postgraduate students at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying for a Master of Music degree in instrumental performance.
The duo's objective is to explore a diverse range of repertoire by combining individual interests in Classical, Folk and Contemporary music. The Luna Duo are continuing to develop their career by taking their music across the country. They are building a repertoire that provides a journey from Italian Sonatinas to Romanian Dances and Tangos from Argentina.
The ensemble are currently working towards recording their first EP - which will be streamed on Soundcloud, Spotify and Bandcamp - stay tuned!
Emily Hicks - Flute
Emily studies flute and piccolo at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with a first-class honours in 2021 from her bachelor of music degree. She is now continuing her studies in Birmingham, studying for a Master of Music degree.
Emily is a keen orchestral player. She has recently been invited to play with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. Some orchestral highlights at the conservatoire include, playing principal flute in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Dreams, conducted by Paul Murphy, accompanying dancers of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Playing principal flute in Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra in Birmingham Symphony Hall, conducted by Michael Seal, and playing the Rite of Spring with the CBSO Youth Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Gourlay, performed on Birmingham Symphony Hall stage.
Emily is the winner of the 2021 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Woodwind Prize. In 2021, Emily was also successful in the British Flute Society competition, winning a special award for the best low flute performance, playing 'Walpurgis' for solo alto flute. Most recently Emily won 3rd prize in the international music competition 'Nouvelles Etoiles'.
As well as the Luna Duo, Emily enjoys playing in other chamber ensembles too. Including a flute and harp duo called The Athena Duo. The Athena Duo are continuing to develop their career by performing across the country. The duo are passionate about exploring the diverse repertoire for the two instruments and enjoy a unique atmosphere the ensemble creates. Emily is also passionate about playing traditional folk music in Juniper Folk Band. Juniper are becoming increasingly successful, taking their music across the country, playing at weddings, parties, and folk festivals.
Emily is proactive in the field of music education and outreach, gaining a great deal of experience throughout her time at the Conservatoire. During her third year at the Conservatoire, Emily was a mentor at Junior Birmingham Conservatoire, observing ensembles, lessons and orchestral rehearsals. Emily has volunteered with Melody Music, leading short musical activities for children and young adults with special needs, she is now a qualified level-2 Makaton user. Emily currently plays for the Welsh National Opera 'Opera Tutti' programme, touring across the West Midlands.
Originally from North Devon, Oliver is also completing his Postgraduate studies at the Conservatoire, after graduating with 1st class honours in 2021. During this time he has studied with renowned guitarists and chamber musicians Mark Ashford and Mark Eden; whilst also having masterclasses and tutoring with the likes of Sean Shibe, Laura Snowden, Judicael Perroy and David Leisner.
Oliver is an experienced chamber musician, alongside the Luna Duo, he also performs with Zahrah Hutton and Noah Layzell as the Tarka Guitar Trio. In 2021, he produced a short online series titled 'Reflexions - The 21st Century Classical Guitar', which saw a range of modern repertoire performed in combinations such as guitar and clarinet, guitar and tenor voice, and guitar duo.
Whilst Oliver performs a varied repertoire as a soloist, and within various ensembles, he has a keen interest in broadening the repertoire for his instrument, and has premiered pieces by numerous composers both within the Conservatoire and beyond. These include works for new combinations of instruments such as guitar and ronroco ('Viridian' by Zygmund de Somogyi) and classical guitar and (taped) electric guitar ('Wandering' by Luke Harrison). He has also recently worked with the renowned composers Soren Sieg and Marek Pasieczny on new pieces.
In 2020, Oliver created an album of both traditional and contemporary folk tunes, arranged for Guitar, Djembe, Bassoon and Cello as part of the group The Bass Wanderers. This is one of a number of folk projects that Oliver has been involved in since 2017 - when he first set foot in Joe Broughton's Conservatoire Folk Ensemble as a guitarist and mandolin player. More recently, he has been composing and arranging for the newly formed group Robinswood, who will soon be touring folk festivals across the country.
Like Emily, Oliver is a committed and fulfilled teacher, working with the National Youth Guitar Ensemble for five years, running ensemble sessions and residentials, and mentoring at the World Youth Guitar Festival. He also teaches with MUBU music, and at the Classical Guitar Centre Ltd.
Oliver Kinsella - Guitar
