Biography
Josh J. Searles has spent a lifetime honing his craft across various genres and instruments. An acclaimed and award winning classical guitarist, composer, and DJ, Searles international performance career began at the young age of 15. He has performed classical guitar in solo concerts and chamber music, french horn in quartets, orchestra and concert band, as well as his more avant-garde music: live electronica utilizing outboard synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, computers and live instruments. His dynamic range has taken him across Canada, the US, the UK, and Spain, including collaborations with renowned Brazilian guitarist and percussionist Celso Machado.
In addition to his prolific music career, Searles has contributed scores to films that have premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival. His work has also been featured in award-winning shorts like Ana Valine's “A Love Poem,” which won Best Experimental Film at Videobardo in Buenos Aires. His original compositions have also appeared in video productions and short films, such as Helen Haig-Brown's Pel'sic (Home Coming).
Searles holds a Master's degree in classical guitar performance from the prestigious University of Alicante, where he studied under world-renowned guitarists, including Grammy-winning David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, and Meng Su. In 2019 he was rewarded with the E.G. Montgomery award for excellence in performance by world class Cuban guitarist Alexander Dunn.
As Ghost Orchid, Searles draws on decades of musical experience from his electronic projects Daega Sound and Tamarak, where he produced and remixed an impressive catalogue of original works released on international labels such as Muti Music, Interchill, and Deep Heads. His music has graced the stages of iconic festivals like Mutek, Shambhala, and Bass Coast. At the same time, multiple releases, including the Hatched EP, have reached the Top 10 charts on Beatport and Junodownload.
works
Workshop Registration
Preparation to Performance Workshop with Josh J. Searles
This workshop focuses on the journey of performance. Open to all musicians to audit, but specifically focused on the classical guitar. The workshop is in two components. In the first component there will be a presentation and discussion on building strong foundations, technique, different practice methods, physiology of performance, handling pressure, stage etiquette and how to set personal goals and achieve them. In the second component participants will get their hands on the guitar with a warm up, technique and then most importantly performance practice. Participants will get to practice public speaking, tuning under pressure, stage etiquette and of course performing! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Limited to 8 participants, workshop run time approx 1.5-2hrs
CONTACT
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