On February 7 and 8, Berči Hall at the Romas Dārzs hosted vocal and guitar masterclasses for singer-songwriters, organized by Austras biedrība.
These two-day sessions are dedicated to enhancing the artistic quality of “Austrasbērni” – musicians continuing the legacy of Austra Pumpure – as well as independent singer-songwriters, providing an opportunity to refine skills and explore new forms of creative expression.
The masterclass was designed to strengthen the creative capacity of cultural representatives and took place as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” program.
The masterclasses were led by two outstanding professionals – singer and ethnomusicologist Zane Šmite, who helped participants to improve vocal technique and voice control, and guitarist Ilze Grunte, who shared insights into mastering guitar performance.
The program included voice warm-up exercises, individual group sessions for vocals and guitar, ensemble rehearsals, and opportunities for participants to exchange experiences and strengthen musical collaboration. Additionally, participants will meet again for two more sessions in April 2025.
To develop the Liepāja 2027 program and strengthen the creative industries, Liepāja 2027 Foundation launched an open call for masterclass funding last autumn. A total of 16 applications were received, with funding granted to 11 projects, supporting local cultural professionals in fostering artistic growth and innovation.
This initiative is co-financed by Liepāja 2027 Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
Through the techniques and tasks offered by the lecturer, participants had the opportunity to reflect on how to adapt Liepāja’s cultural offerings to the local context and how to create future steps to ensure everyone feels part of our city’s cultural life.
et to take place on November 6-7 at the Great Amber Concert Hall, the event will include a series of lectures, discussions, and interactive sessions in different settings led by a number of cultural experts from Latvia and abroad.
