Playing with Connection
The Helicona Project is a unique undertaking in the musical world. The brainchild of baroque violinist Davide Monti, for over a decade he and his team have been researching, workshopping, and proposing new pathways towards unlocking that most natural, yet elusive, form of musical expression: improvisation.
But Helicona aims to deliver more than this. The project is delving deep into the trove of historical methods and treatises on everything from equestrian arts to swordsmanship, piecing together a puzzle of a more connected past; the shared primordial measure of musical metre and a horses gait; the unspoken understanding between duelists exchanging parries or an ensemble exchanging harmonies. It’s about connection. Connection to oneself, to ones instrument, and crucially, connection to one another, irrespective of how many legs they have!
The project hosts an international summer school every year, in which attendees are encouraged to explore the various avenues of connection, expression, and experimentation through activities including fencing, dance, theatre, archery and chess, to name a few.
I have been working with the project covering the 2023 and 2024 summer events, and ongoing footage collection with the aim of producing a feature documentary demonstrating the immense range and potential of this ambitious project.
Bringing the World to the North West
The Sligo Baroque Music Festival brings the enchanting world of early music to Ireland and with it, many of the worlds most renowned and celebrated musicians. Since 1995, the annual festival has hosted prestigious names and milestone concerts, and since 2021, I have been fortunate to cover the week-long event in my hometown.
I am grateful to the festival for giving me my start in the film industry, and I take pride in the festivals continued growth and ambition.
