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FEATURES Stephanie Jones Classical Guitarist, Complete Musician TEXT BY IVAN LIM Oct 31 2023 
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Music in general is extremely beneficial to the development and learning processes of the brain. It helps improve many other aspects of your education and provides a great structure of discipline and experiential learning....Guitar, specifically, is a wonderful way to improve motor control and thinking in multiple lines, as well as being a great way to connect with children through the ability of playing and accompanying a number of styles, including popular songs. She looks like a tiny rockstar, but she’s a monumental presence on stage, with every resonant note from her instrument authenticating her status as a superstar classical musician. Meet award-winning Australian classical guitarist Stephanie Jones, who will be in Singapore for a concert in December.
This year alone, she has toured Europe and the United States in a packed schedule of performances, and by the time she ascends the stage in 10 Square Auditorium at Orchard Central, she will have completed performances in Japan and Malaysia. SCHOOLGIRL CHARM, MODEL STUDENT If you met Stephanie in person, you might sense a schoolgirlish charm about her, but if you did catch her in a classroom, she would more likely be the maestra imparting a wealth of musical knowledge and experience than the model student – she’s based in Germany where she teaches at the Universität Augsburg in between concert tours. “I always took my musical education very seriously,” says Stephanie, who started learning the piano at about 4 years old, the violin a few years later, before beginning with the guitar at 11. She also learnt the saxophone, flute, and viola. However, it was with the guitar that she had an instant connection, says Stephanie. “I enjoyed the ability to play many lines at once, the different techniques and tone colours I could explore, and the range of styles I could play. I don’t remember a specific time where the guitar took priority, it was a very natural draw that I had to the instrument and I always wanted to practise and improve as much as I could.” 
THE COMPLETE MUSICIAN
So when did Stephanie decide she wanted to be a musician? “It was clear from very early on that music was going to be a big part of my life, but I think I consciously decided when I was in my early teens. This, however, didn’t make a difference to how I was motivated. It was enjoyable and I was always interested in doing my best and learning as much as I could,” says Stephanie, who received her undergraduate degree with First Class Honours at the Australian National University under the guidance of Tim Kain and Minh le Hoang, and followed that with a Masters degree and Konzertexamen (Concert Exam) at the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar with Professor Thomas Müller-Pering. While she is currently focused on the classical guitar, her knowledge of other instruments has contributed immensely to her stature as a musician. “The experience of learning a single-lined instrument like the saxophone and flute developed my ability to phrase and bring out melody lines. Also being absorbed in other genres like jazz helped my ability and interpretation of music on the guitar, particularly when you need to groove! “My experience in big band and jazz ensembles also provided great experience of playing with others and being spontaneous in responding to situations. Being able to listen and adapt to your fellow musicians is integral to playing well together,” explains the award-winning guitarist, who has won first prize at the Hannabach Guitar competition, Uppsala International Guitar Festival Competition, and Fine Music Network Young “Virtuoso of the Year” Competition. MUSIC FOR THE MIND Stephanie feels that music education is great for the mind. “Music in general is extremely beneficial to the development and learning processes of the brain. It helps improve many other aspects of your education and provides a great structure of discipline and experiential learning. It is also extremely fun! “Guitar, specifically, is a wonderful way to improve motor control and thinking in multiple lines, as well as being a great way to connect with children through the ability of playing and accompanying a number of styles, including popular songs,” she adds. Indeed. So get some music lessons or send your children to a guitar instructor to help them become smarter – in a way that will be fun for them – if you haven’t already done so. And remind them to practise, which Stephanie does regularly, despite her crazy touring and teaching schedule. 
PERFECT PRACTICE “With my touring schedule and other commitments, it is important to be adaptable, efficient, and organised with exactly what you need to work on.” says Stephanie of her practice routine. “I develop a working programme and keep track of what I have recently practised and what I need to look at. I make sure to do smaller practice sessions but more frequently, so as to avoid any injury and to let the mind process what was worked on.” One device that she relies on to avoid injury is her Guitarlift support. “I always had problems with finding a reliable guitar support that would give me freedom in my playing without the risk of it falling off. When I first tried Guitarlift, I was instantly convinced of its stability and flexibility. “It helped relieve tension in my neck and left shoulder, and I never had to worry about its reliability ever! I know this sounds like an ad, but it is genuinely my response to using this product,” says Stephanie. EXPANDING THE GUITAR’S REPERTOIRE Aside from performing and essaying available works for the guitar, Stephanie also does her part in expanding the guitar’s canon. “I have commissioned and premiered a number of pieces for the guitar,” she says. “I absolutely love the music from Sergio Assad and another wonderful piece written for me is by Richard Charlton, Beneath a River of Stars. “I have also recently recorded a wonderful new piece by Jakob Schmidt – he is the person who actually records and produces my videos, so he’s quite multitalented! It is such a joy to learn and explore a new piece of music, having the honour of being the first to approach the interpretation. “I have also recently commissioned three new pieces for my project on promoting women composers. I have compositions from Clarice Assad, Laura Snowden, and one coming from Sally Greenaway.” MY FAVOURITE COMPOSERS With the incredible amount of music she must be exposed to and familiar with, is there a composer that she likes best? “I mentioned that I really love the music of Sergio Assad. The way he incorporates melodies, effects, and atmosphere is incredibly captivating and a lot of fun to learn. I also love to play music by Johann Sebastian Bach as I enjoy diving into the puzzles and inner phrasing of his music – it is both so musical and mathematical.”
MUSIC FOR EVERY MOOD
She may be steeped in the world of classical music, but her listening preferences are not confined to it. “Oh, I listen to all sorts of music,” says Stephanie. “There is so much good music out there that it would be a shame not to! If you look at my recent playlist on my phone, it has quite a range of styles, from alternative, to classical, jazz, latin, rap, and pop. It depends on my mood!” MY GUITARS Stephanie has several instruments in her collection, and she picks these according to the demands of the various situations she finds herself in. “I am currently touring with a wonderful 2022 lattice guitar made by Fernando Mazza. I had the honour of playing a number of great guitars at the Guitar Test for the Roma Guitar Expo and Mazza’s instruments really stood out for me. The guitar he built me is so comfortable to play and has such a responsive and resonant sound – such a joy to play. “My other main classical guitar is a carbon lattice-braced model built in 2012 by Australian Luthier Paul Sheridan. I really love how well her sound sings and projects as well as maintaining a rich range of tone colours and timbres. “I also have a 2020 Daniel Zucali crossover guitar, which is basically a classical guitar with a pickup. She has a spruce top with plum tree wood on the back and sides, along with a cutaway and an AER Ak15+ microphone/pickup system. Zucali really does a great job at maintaining the sound, feel, and character of a classical guitar, while providing the capability for her to be amplified. “I also play a wonderful Altamira N3 model classical guitar, a Stauffer copy by Jan Tuláček, and a couple of different Yamaha models.” STRING THEORY And these guitars would all be strung with Hannabach strings, for which Stephanie is ambassador. “I have been using Hannabach Goldin strings for many years,” says Stephanie. “They provide a rich energy to the sound and are very responsive. “I am a fan of carbon strings as they work well on my lattice-build guitars. However, nylon strings are also great – it really depends on your instrument.” SINGAPORE SHOW So what can we expect from this virtuoso guitarist on her Singapore date? “I’ll be presenting a programme of personal inspiration, delving into picturesque songs from my homeland Australia, to mesmerising grooves from South America. I will also be showcasing fresh new works for the classical guitar that boast intriguing contrasts, techniques, and colours.” Stephanie’s music education, hectic concert schedule, teaching commitments at a university, work with composers to commission new music for the guitar, even her selection of instruments and equipment, point to a driven personality, replete with a demand for perfection in all her endeavours. She can thank her mother for sagely advice dispensed very early on in her musical life, which she appears to have firmly followed. “My Mum always said, ‘If you are going to do something, do it properly.’” Stephanie Jones • Classical guitarist (Australia) Live in Singapore (Updated Dec - Cancelled) When: Dec 3, 2023, 5.30pm Where: 10 Square Auditorium • Orchard Central Level 10 Tickets: S$28 Contact: Andrew Wee WhatsApp: +65 8500 0346 Email: [email protected] |
