Biography
Bianca Wesley-Smith is a South African violinist/violist, and began learning the violin at the age of 12 with Susan McAdam. She quickly excelled in her musical development, completing the Trinity Grade 8 violin exam with distinction, as well as performing and winning local competitions in multiple categories by the age of 15. In 2013, Bianca began lessons with Denise Sutton, acquiring in May that same year an Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) diploma with distinction. She continued her studies with Denise Sutton throughout her tertiary education.
Bianca acquired her Bachelor of Music degree with Honors at the University of Pretoria (UP), graduating cum laude in 2019. She was recognized as one of the departments’ top achievers, and since 2016 has been a member of The Golden Key International Honour Society for ranking within the top 15% of students at UP. In 2018, she was awarded a bursary from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) in light of her achievements.
In July 2017, Bianca became a semi-finalist in the ATKV Muziq competition. A month later, she was asked to perform Vaughan-Williams’ The Lark Ascending as a soloist at the Linder Auditorium with the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra under the baton of Richard Cock.
Bianca has received lessons and masterclasses from world renowned musicians, including Jan Orawiec, Farida Bacharova, Joanna Frankel, Gérard Korsten, Yi-Jia Susanne Hou, Nicolas Dautricourt, Philippe Graffin, Wonji Kim, Lavard Skou Larsen, and Anna Kandinskaya.
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An experienced orchestral and chamber musician, Bianca has worked with a number of orchestras across the country throughout her career. Between 2014-2016, she was an official member of the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed extensive core orchestral and opera repertoire. She was also a member and regional representative of the South African National Youth Orchestra (SANYO) from 2013-2016. During her time with SANYO, she learned from internationally renowned musicians, including Osmo Vänskä (Minnesota Orchestra), Henk Rubingh and Arndt Auhagen (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra).
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Bianca has taken part in the annual Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festivals since 2009, working under the batons of Victor Yampolsky, Evgeny Bushkov, Kazem Abdullah, and Daniel Raiskin. She was also invited to be a member of the orchestra for the Immling Festival in Bavaria during the summer of 2019, performing Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, and Puccini’s Turandot in addition to other concerts.
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Since 2018, Bianca has been a member of the non-profit organization ‘Music Is A Great Investment’ Orchestra (MIAGI Orchestra). In 2018, the MIAGI orchestra embarked on an eight week tour of Europe, celebrating the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela in his centennial year through music. The orchestra performed in notable venues including the Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), and Konzerthaus (Berlin) concert halls, and at esteemed music festivals such as the Verbier and Young Euro Classic festivals.
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Bianca is also a strong advocate for music education and outreach programs. Since 2013, she has been a member of the Up4Strings School for Orchestral Studies based in Pretoria in both participating and assisting roles. Between 2016-2019, she was involved with the Swakopmunde Musikwoche Festival in Namibia as an assistant lecturer – the festival gives Namibian children from disadvantaged and impoverished backgrounds the opportunity to learn Classical music over the course of 10 days with professional players and teachers. Since 2021, Bianca has been actively involved with the Benedetti Foundation, and is now a Senior Ambassador.
Since moving to Glasgow in 2022, Bianca has been enrolled as a Continuing Education student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), and currently studies with Duncan Ferguson and Greg Lawson. In July 2023, she was one of only six students selected from the RCS to partake in the 2023 Cantelina Festival on Islay. During her time at RCS, Bianca has participated in multiple ensemble projects and productions, and has become a fully-integrated member of the strings department. She has been accepted for a Master of Music degree in Viola Performance, and will commence her studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in September 2024.
Repertoire
Sonatas
J.S. Bach - Sonata no. 1 in g minor
H. Biber – Rosary sonatas, ‘Passacaglia’
L. van Beethoven - Sonatas 5 and 7
C. Debussy – Violin and piano sonata in g minor, L 140
E. Ysaye – Sonata No 3, D Minor, Op 27
Y. Bowen - Viola Sonata No.1 in C minor Op.18
General Repertoire
B. Bartok - Romanian Folk Dances; Rhapsody No.1
C. Beriot – Scene de Ballet, Op.100
N. Hess – Theme from ‘Ladies in Lavender’
F. Kreisler - Sicilienne and Rigaudon; Praeludium and Allegro
A. Part – Fratres
C. Saint-Saens – Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op.28
I. Stravinsky – Suite Italienne
R. Vaughan-Williams – The Lark Ascending
H. Wieniawski – Legende , Op.17
Concertos
J.S. Bach – Concerto in E, BWV 1042
M. Bruch – Violin concerto in g minor
W.A. Mozart - Violin concerto no. 5 in A major, K.219
A. Stephenson - Concerto Grosso for Two Violins and String Orchestra
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