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Who are the WiGS?
Who are the WiGS?
WiGS is a dedicated group of classical guitar enthusiasts based in South West London. We come together regularly to provide a supportive environment where members can perform and refine their skills. Whether you are preparing for exams or simply seeking to improve your performance abilities, our group offers an encouraging space to grow.
We welcome new members. If you have a passion for classical guitar and would like to join us, please get in touch. We would be delighted to have you attend our meetings as an observer before making a commitment.
Meetings
Meetings
We are a welcoming community dedicated to classical guitar enthusiasts of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner taking your first steps in performance or an experienced guitarist seeking to refine your craft, WiGS provides a supportive environment for growth and inspiration. The society encourages a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, making it an ideal space for anyone with a passion for classical guitar. Join us at our next meetup and discover how WiGS can support you on your musical journey!
Our upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
Tuesday 29th April - a full group performance session at the Lantern Arts Centre in Raynes Park
Tuesday 27th May and Wednesday 28th May - a pair of performance sessions at members homes
Sunday 8th June - our summer drinks at a member's home
Date tbc in late June - a Performance Workshop at St Saviour's church with Brad Johnson
Concerts
Concerts
Each year, between February and May, the WiGS RCM concert series features performances by Master's and final-year Bachelor's students from the Royal College of Music, serving as a prelude to their graduation recitals in the summer. WiGS also hosts around three professional concerts each year.
Our upcoming concerts are:
The last of our 2025 WiGS RCM series on Friday 25th April
Eleanor Grant & Gus McQuade (Deux-Elles Records) on Saturday 14th June
Jack Hancher on Friday 3rd October
Vida Guitar Quartet on Friday 28th November
Our concerts are held at St. Saviour's Church in Raynes Park, London SW20. For detailed information on each performance, please use the links above or visit the events page on the church's website. If you prefer to receive updates directly, please contact us.
St. Saviour's Church is conveniently located just a 7-minute walk from Raynes Park railway station and a 2-minute walk from the 163 bus stops on Grand Drive.
Free parking is available on the surrounding streets.
Past professional concerts
Londinium Consort on Friday 24th January 2025 - winners of the 2024 New Elizabethan Award, final performance before their Wigmore Hall debut
Eden Stell Guitar Duo on Saturday 30th November 2024 - 'Ida' CD launch event, with interview by Matthew Wadsworth (Deux-Elles Records)
Laura Snowden on Saturday 19th October 2024
Cerulean Trio on Saturday 29th June 2024 - highlights
Dorian Demeny (guitar) and Ugnė Liepa Žuklytė (violin) on 20th January 2024
Vida Guitar Quartet on 9th December 2023
Eden Stell Guitar Duo on 6th October 2018
WiGS RCM alumni
We are delighted to have hosted a growing list of wonderful young classical guitar players over four seasons of our WiGS RCM concerts:
Arie Dakesian (2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025)
Dorian Demeny (2020)
Erika Clevejarn (2020)
Haydn Bateman with Nika Pinter (flute) (2020)
Hope Cramsie (2025)
Joe Orme (2023)
Mark Dangerfield (2022 and 2024)
Oliver Manning (2024 and 2025)
Renfei Xin (2025)
Sacha Bistany (2023 and 2024)
Simon Pearce (2019)
Will Glenn (2019)
Yuting Wu (2022 and 2025)
Zoe Barnett (2020, 2022 and 2024)
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2025 season: In our two concerts so far this year: Yuting Wu, Renfei Xin and Hope Cramsie played on March 28th, after Oliver Manning and Arie Dakesian opened the series on February 28th.
2024 season: The 2024 series featured Mark Dangerfield, Zoe Barnett and Arie Dakesian on May 3rd, following Oliver Manning and Sacha Bistany on March 1st.
2022-2023 season: In 2023, Joe Orme, Sacha Bistany, and Arie Dakesian performed on April 28th, after the season had started in late 2022 when Yuting Wu, Arie Dakesian, Mark Dangerfield and Zoe Barnett took to the stage on December 2nd.
2019-2020 season: Our first series was cut short (by you know what) after performances by Erika Clevejarn and Zoe Barnett on February 28th, and Haydn Bateman and Nika Pinter (flute), and Dorian Demeny on January 31st and, in our inaugural concert, Simon Pearce and Will Glenn on December 6th 2019.
Supported Projects
Supported Projects
play 2 Armenia (Guitar Festival, Armenia) - The Play2 festival offers young guitarists a unique, fully funded opportunity to participate in workshops, ensemble sessions, and professional concerts in Armenia each July.
Brad Johnson (Guitarist/Mandolinist, Wimbledon) - Since early 2024, Brad has served as our Performance Coach, leading group sessions at the Lantern Arts Centre and providing personalised one-on-one instruction. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, he holds a Master's degree, an Advanced Diploma, and the LRAM teaching qualification. Brad also studied at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where he earned his Bachelor's degree. He studied under the guidance of renowned professors and performers, including Michael Lewin, Stephen Goss, David Russell, Fabio Zanon, and Craig Ogden. For more information on Brad’s teaching, please use this link.
Mohie Elsayed (Guitar teacher, Wimbledon) - Many WiGS members have studied with Mohie over the years, and some continue to do so; we are grateful for his dedicated teaching, which has made a lasting impact on our community. Mohie graduated from the Academy of Arts in Egypt in 1980 where he studied classical guitar under Teresa De Rogatis and later in Italy with Francesco Gorio, who appointed him as his assistant. He has taught in London since 1992.
Nick Branwell (Luthier, Southfields) - With a preference for hand tools and freehand techniques, Nick crafts his guitars in his South London workshop, located above the studio of his sculptor wife, Almuth Tebbenhoff. Nick honed his craft through courses with skilled mentors such as Nick Pyle, Pete Howlett, Mike Hobbs, Richard Osborne, and Pablo Requena, adopting their diverse methods into his own work. Several WiGS members enjoyed a memorable visit to Nick's workshop in October 2024.
Contact us
Contact us
Whether you are interested in joining us, would like to hear about upcoming concerts, or have any query about WiGS, please contact us by emailing markatwigs@gmail.com or contacting us via Instagram. We look forward to hearing from you!
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