Lígia Soares

Lígia Soares started learning music with her mother. Studied violin with Prof. Ilídio Gomes, at the Music Academy of Santa Cecilia with Prof. Alberto Nunes and finally with Prof. Lydia de Carvalho at Lisbon National Conservatory where she obtained the diploma degree in violin with the highest classification. When she was 13 years old participated in the 1st National Competition for Music Education OLGA VIOLANTE (Edgar Willems method) in which she won the 1st prize ex-aequo. Latter on attended “Masterclass” and summer courses taught by Profs. Alberto Lysy, Vasco Barbosa, Gerardo Ribeiro, Tibor Varga and Felix Andrievsky. As a scholarship holder of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation studied with the Russian master Felix Andrievsky in London and concluded at the Royal College of Music the “Advanced Postgraduate Study Course” in which she obtained the highest degree. Her studies were complemented with the optional course “The Art of Teaching” and later on with the Degree of Master of Arts in Music Performance studies at the City University, London. In 1990 won the 1st prize in the violin competition -superior level- of the Jeunesses Musicales, Portugal. She recorded for RDP, RTP and also for the prestigious label EMI Classics. Has performed numerous recitals and collaborated as soloist with several orchestras in Portugal (Gulbenkian Orchestra., Oporto Classical Orchestra, Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, Youth Symphony Orchestra) and abroad. Taught Violin at the National Superior Academy Orchestra, being the representative of this instrument in the Scientific Council from 1992 to 1997, and is invited very often to join selection boards, to be a member of the jury in several competitions and to teach in masterclasses in music institutions. In 1993 she formed a duo with violinist Vasco Barbosa and performed several recitals and concerts with orchestra, including the presence in the VIII International Music Festival in Macao in 1994, the year in which the violin and viola deserved special attention. She developed a regular international concert activity until 2005 and currently teaches at the Music Academy of Santa Cecilia and the Gregorian Institute of Lisbon. In 2015 obtained the prize “Distinguished Violinist” at the “Ibla Grand Prize International Music Competition”, in 2014 obtained the “Título de Especialista em Música – Violino” at the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon and is currently doing a PhD in Music/Performance – violin.