Ismena was formed in 2008. The London-based ensemble perform a wide repertoire ranging from musical theatre, cabaret and jazz to classical, Baroque and contemporary, including new works.
The ensemble also features guest performers - for more details about the artists that Ismena has collaborated with, please go to the Guest Performers page.
Sara Cluderay - singer/actress
Sara Cluderay studied singing at Trinity College of Music, London under John Wakefield, gaining her Licentiate Diploma in Vocal Performance. Opera credits include La Traviata (Chorus) with Dartington Festival Opera, the world premiere of Uncle Remus (Mrs Richardson) for Pegasus Opera at Hackney Empire, and Cirque d'Hoffmann, based on Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann with Arkadia Opera Zirkus. Sara sang the major role of Stella, La Voix de la Sirène, incorporating all three female leads from the opera: Olympia, Giulietta and Antonia. The production toured UK venues, including Jacksons Lane Theatre, Croydon Clocktower Theatre and Buxton Opera House. Concert appearances include Chester Town Hall, Barbican, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Corsham Festival and the National Portrait Gallery.
Sara is a chorister at the West London Synagogue and has sung with the chamber choir and as soloist at Friends' House, London and at Westminster Abbey. Sara has also performed as a session singer with rock band The Clint Boon Experience, touring major UK rock venues and festivals, and supporting headlining acts Travis and Echo & the Bunnymen. She has made a number of session recordings with the band and has broadcast for BBC Radio 1 and Channel Five, Channel 4 and E4 Television. Collaborations include Columbian singer Monica Acosta, internationally-renowned pianist Kate Ryder and the harp ensemble 4 Girls 4 Harps. Sara was a featured artist in Olympics Celebrate for BBC One, and she appeared as a soloist on Wedding TV. Recent appearances include a gala concert at The Actors' Church, Covent Garden and a guest spot at Belgrave & Manera's Music & Comedy Club, Camden.
For more information, visit www.saracluderay.com
(Photo credit: M.A.D. Photography)
Press
"Ethereal soprano...stunning performance" - Total Theatre
"Sound-blasting vocal gymnastics" - Melody Maker
"Ms Cluderay's great strength - besides her unquestionable vocal dexterity - is her quirkiness...she combined engaging storytelling, black comedy and limpid singing into an effervescent cocktail." - remotegoat.co.uk
Mayda Narvey - cello
Mayda Narvey is a cellist, pianist, teacher and composer. Born in Winnipeg, Canada, she was fortunate to have as her first teacher, Dr. Peggie Sampson, a student of both Pablo Casals and Nadia Boulanger. She went on to study with such notables as Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and Janos Starker and gained her Masters degree at the University of New York under Bernard Greenhouse of the Beaux Arts Trio. Her piano teachers have included Wanda Jeziorska, Michael Young and Neil Immelman. During her studies she was a finalist in both the CBC Talent Festival and the Washington International Competition. She played for several seasons with the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada which tours North America and Europe and was a frequent performer on the CBC both in a solo and chamber capacity. Since moving to England she has developed a busy teaching practice of both the piano and cello, whilst continuing to perform frequently. Mayda has a particular interest in working with artists of all disciplines and in performing in smaller, salon-style venues. Recent projects have included collaborations with Alison Trower, actress and the Trio d'Orleans (Elizabeth Williams, violin and Louise King, piano) in a musical/theatrical evening of the Schumanns and Brahms; with X Factor singer/songwriter Roberta Howett in the End of the World Variety Show; with international pianist Bruce Vogt in recital at the Trunch Festival and with guitarist Julian Cowie. (Photo credit: Paul Bussell)
Further information can be found at www.maydanarvey.co.uk
Press
"A gem in the show was cellist Mayda Narvey. Sensitive and gently supportive as an accompanist to the singers, she blossomed into her own when playing solos. Her cello sang 'Cry Me a River' with layers of emotion and tenderness, and uncompromised truthfulness." - remotegoat.co.uk
Katharine Woolley - piano
Katharine studied both the Flute and the Piano at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music. Katharine is Assistant Musical Director on Jersey Boys (Prince Edward Theatre, London) and has played regularly as part of the band for Jersey Boys and for Avenue Q (Wyndhams Theatre, London). Katharine has also played on Beauty and the Beast (UK Tour) and CATS (Stadium tour). She works as a rehearsal pianist and vocal coach for many West End performers and teaches for the degree course at Guildford School of Acting. She has also set up Stage by Stage Theatre School, a performing arts school for young people.