Classics on stage

INTERNATIONAL classical guitarist Karin Schaupp says regional Australian audiences are especially wonderful.

That’s high praise indeed, for Karin has travelled and performed far and wide.

Karin and Katie Noonan come to Bendigo on September 19 for a dual concert showcasing their talents at the Capital Theatre.

The duo first met eight years ago at a festival in New South Wales, and by touches of fate and a genuine friendship are still in touch and working together.

German-born Karin had the ideal learning curve, her mother Isolde played and taught classical guitar and Karin pestered to learn.

“My grandmother bought me my first guitar when I was three,” she said.

“I was very lucky to know what I wanted to do at such a young age. Such a clear path.”

Karin said while perhaps it was frowned upon in the 1970s, nowadays an early start to music has been proved to be beneficial.

She is well aware she was in a perfect position to learn.

“When I was in my teens I was offered performances, and my mother said ‘yes’, but reminded me I had to work hard to learn the work.

“I listened, and boringly perhaps, I never rebelled.

“It taught me what I needed for a freelance career...

“I learned how to keep working.”

The family moved to Brisbane when Karin was eight, with her music being a constant companion.

Karin’s mother is still available to listen and comment when needed, and Karin has run masterclasses herself carrying on the family tradition of passing on the skills.

“I always learn something myself,” she said.

Within this life of music, Karin sometimes prefers to have no music on when away from working.

More often than not the music choice is her husband’s, a classical guitarist who is now a psychologist.

“We have been together almost 20 years now, and share a lot of interests,” Karin said.

“I did some work into stage fright, which is on the psychological level.

“I did suffer in my teens, and was able to help some people through it.”

Karin is way beyond stage fright now, having performed as an actor more than 150 times in Lotte’s Gift, a play written for her by David Williamson, charting the life of her grandmother.

“You do lay yourself bare in acting,” Karin said.

This work tours regularly in Australia.

But when Karin Schaupp and Katie Noonan come to The Captital in Bendigo on September 19 music will be the focus.

“The show is very versatile musically and is called Songs of the Southern Skies. It has the music of Australia as its theme,” she said.