OLIVIA ABREU
FLUTE
Mexican flautist, born in Wales, Olivia Abreu obtained her DEM (Musical Studies Diploma) and her Perfectionist Diploma at the Ville d'Avray Conservatory with Patrice Bocquillon. In 2007 she was admitted to the Strasbourg Conservatory in Mario Caroli's class, where she obtained, between 2009 and 2012, the Chamber Music Perfectionist Diploma, the Specialisation Diploma in Flute, the Concert Diploma in Chamber Music, as well as the Specialisation Diploma in Chamber Music. In 2010, she received her Master’s degree as a performer from the University of Strasbourg. In Mexico, she has been a member of the Carlos Chávez Symphonic Orchestra, the Enigma Wind Quintet, and the Kontempo and EnsamblArte chamber music ensembles. In 2004 she won the prestigious National University of Mexico competition to participate as a soloist with the University’s Philharmonic during the 2004-2005 concert season. Olivia Abreu is currently a flute and chambre music teacher at the Neudorf Music School and at the Vill’A (Illkirch music school), both in Strasbourg. She is also co-founder of Ensemble Vertebræ, dedicated mostly to premiering and furthering contemporary repertoire.
ANGÉLINE VÉRON
CLARINET
Originally from Touraine, France, Angéline Véron discovered the clarinet when she was 8 years old. She obtained her Clarinet and Chamber music Diplomas at the Orleans National Music School with Alain Laloge. In 2006 she was admitted to the Strasbourg Conservatory where she obtained her DEM (Musical Studies Diploma) with J. M. Foltz and A. Angster. From 2009 to 2013 she studied at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg (Germany) with Jörg Widmann and Stefan Schneider, where she received her artistic and pedagogical diplomas with highest distinctions. With a special interest in pedagogy, she teaches the clarinet in several music schools in Alsace. Passionate about chamber music, she takes part in several projects with different ensembles in France and abroad. Following a desire to broaden her artistic horizons, Angéline has worked with plastic artists, dancers and choreographers, aiming to create a better connection between the different universes.
JULIO C. CASTILLO
PIANO
Born in Mexico City, Julio César Castillo finished his First Degree and Master’s Degree at the National University of Mexico (UNAM), under the tuition of Monique Rasetti, Paolo Mello and Krisztina Deli. He has participated in master classes with renowned pianists such as Bernard Flavigny, Klaus Schilde, Pascal Rogé, Jörg Demus and Gyula Kiss, among others. For two consecutive years he won the second prize at the Pianístico competition, organised by UNAM. In 2005, he recorded the CD “Floresta”, with some of his piano transcriptions of Mexican guitarist and composer Julio César Oliva’s works. Moving to Strasbourg in 2012, he specialised in French music with Dany Rouet at the Strasbourg Conservatory. The same year he finished a recording of the piano sonatas of Leonardo Coral, one of the most important Mexican composers of the present time. He has played at the most important concert halls in Mexico, as well as in Hungary, Germany and France.