Despina Homatidou

Performer Name: Despina Homatidou

After studying at the Hellenic Conservatory and the University in Athens (from which she holds a degree in History) Despina Homatidou gained her diploma in harpsichord at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, under the tutelage of Andrew Wilson –Dickson and Nicholas Parle, graduating first in her year and receiving also the Principal’s Award for Music. She then gained a scholarship for two years from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSMD) to continue her studies with Nicholas Parle and James Johnstone, where she completed her Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the City University and the GSMD. After the end of her studies, she had lessons with Jill Severs. She has attended masterclasses with Kenneth Gilbert at the Academia Chigiana in Sienna, Andreas Kröper in Athens, Sophie Yates and Davitt Schaemer in London and has accompanied viola da gamba players in Jordi Savall’s classes in London. Despina, as a continuo player, has given concerts in various venues in London (Bishopsgate Hall, the Portrait Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum, St Anne & St Agnes’ Church, the International Early Music Exhibition) and in other cities in UK (the Chester Summer Music Festival and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama). She has appeared in Queen Elizabeth Hall with the “Musicians of London” and the Goldsmiths Choral Union in Handel’s Oratorio “Israel in Egypt”. With the ensemble Babillage was finalist in the York International Early Music Competition, took part in the XXIV Barcelona Early Music Fringe Festival and were invited back to be showcased as part of Cafe Zimmerman, giving concerts that were broadcasted from the Spanish Radio. She has given a solo recital in the “Norfolk House Music Room” in V&A Museum, in honour of King Charles III -then Prince of Wales, part of the celebrations for the opening of the British Galleries.