Nina Harries

Variety is the key reason that I became a musician and I believe that the greatest musicians are the most versatile, and the Double Bass is a perfect instrument for that as it can be featured in so many different styles. Being a recent RCM graduate, I am working full time as a musician, using both Double Bass and Voice, for a variety of projects including a gypsy/avant garde band, a psychedelic rock trio, 2 electroacoustic/classical crossover ensembles, a new contemporary ensemble Echoshed with former RCM students, and I am the resident bassist for the contemporary opera company workshOpera. As well as ensemble; I am performing regularly as a solo performer, using just Bass and Voice, and all original material written myself, often in a Cabaret style performance using comedy alongside the music. I am finding being a full time freelancer a busy, challenging and enjoyable job, but my ambition is growing. As much as I have learned from the popular music industry; about venues, social aspects of working in music and the role that technology plays in gigs, I find myself yearning for more complex music, to work with trained and knowledgeable musicians and to break new ground in music, which is something that only contemporary music truly has the power to do. For my last 2 years at the RCM I worked with composers to write new pieces specifically for Double Bass and Voice. This process of working alongside composers, creating new music that pushed my technique and ability and changing people’s perceptions of the Double Bass as a solo instrument was the most meaningful musical experience of my career so far. My first professional recording of one of my commissions will be released in Spring 2017.