Alexandra Whittingham

Recognised by The Guardian as “a young 21st-century virtuoso”, Alexandra Whittingham’s creative spirit is reshaping classical music and defying conventions. At the age of 16 she began to film her performances of popular guitar repertoire as a personal project, rapidly creating a large community of fans worldwide with over 50 million views.

Having just signed exclusively to Decca Classics, recording continues to play an important part in Alexandra’s career. Her debut album ‘My European Journey’, released in 2021, was described as “a superb debut” by BBC Music Magazine. The album sees Alexandra’s passion for romantic guitar music combine with a love of discovering lesser-known composers and bringing them into the spotlight. The recording lead to her being chosen as one of Classic FM’s ‘Rising Star’ artists in 2022.

Alexandra has enjoyed recent performances at such events as the Cayman Islands Arts Festival, Texas’ South by Southwest Festival and Rome Guitar Expo last year. Forthcoming highlights include recitals in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and London as well as a tour across Ireland this April with trumpeter Matilda Lloyd. Alexandra will also embark on a 30-date North American tour in early 2025.

Closer to home Alexandra has performed at London’s Milton Court Concert Hall, The Jazz Cafe in Camden, the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Sage Gateshead and Wells Cathedral. She has also appeared as a concerto soloist with both UK and European orchestras.

The presence of music education in schools is something that Alexandra has been passionate about since having the opportunity for her first formal guitar lesson at the age of eight. As well as giving masterclasses at music colleges around Europe, she also enjoys holding regular workshops and presentations in schools with an aim to involve more young people from diverse backgrounds in classical music.

Alexandra began her studies at Chetham’s School of Music at the age of eleven, where she now teaches alongside her former professor. She went on to gain a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London and graduated with both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. During her time at the Academy she was awarded the Timothy Gilson Guitar Prize, a Diploma of the Royal Academy of Music and the Regency Award for distinguished studentship.

​Alexandra is delighted to be an Augustine Strings artist. She plays guitars made by Philip Woodfield and Christopher Dean.

Host or Publisher Classical Guitar Society of Calgary