A cornerstone of our programme is an afternoon of short, pop-up, FREE entry events around the island, on Saturday, 16 August 2025. For 2025, we have three up-close-and-personal sessions where audiences will have the opportunity to meet flautist Cormac Henry, Taiwanese musician Chia-Yin Hung, plus composer and Festival Manager, Nathan James Dearden.
The Sounds of the Pipa & Qin
When? 2.00pm – 2.40pm at the Atlantic Villa ‘Poly Royale’
This is a unique opportunity to hear visiting Taiwanese musician Chia-Yin Hung play music on these beautiful Chinese instruments and share fascinating insights.
Please bring along a foldable/portable chair to make yourself at home for this event.
The Fluter’s Life with Cormac Henry
When? 3.00pm – 3.45pm at the Danu House, Chapeltown
We are thrilled to present Kerry native, flautist Cormac Henry, who is principal flute of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. In this informal session you will hear from Cormac about his musical life and some of the flute pieces that make him tick!
A Composer’s Tale: Mary Dullea in conversation with Nathan James Dearden
When? 4.00pm – 4.40pm at the Royal Valentia Hotel, Knightstown
A familiar face at Chamber Music on Valentia, Nathan James Dearden is an award-winning Welsh music creator, whose work has been described as “hauntingly beautiful” (Media Wales), and performed and featured the BBC Singers, Philharmonia Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, and the Fidelio Trio.
For this rare insight into Nathan’s work and what it is like to be a classical composer in 2025, join him for this ‘in conversation’ with Artistic Director, Mary Dullea.
