Meet Lidia Jewloszewicz-Clarke the second dlr Musician-in-Residence for 2023

I am a classical violinist living in Dublin, originally from Poland. Since the covid pandemic, I have been drawn to the concept of identity and belonging in music and culture and I have recently been exploring the works of Irish composer Ina Boyle and Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz, focusing on the cultural context in which these two female artists lived and created. I am also undertaking advanced study in composition and improvisation techniques, proudly supported by Arts Council Ireland.

During this residency, I will venture into new areas of my music-making and I will collaborate extensively with Irish violinist Larissa O’Grady. Together we will explore the concept of identity through a repertoire that will represent us at the starting point of our collaboration. We will then focus on the concept of belonging, cultural connections, exchange, and integration by composing a new piece of music for which the inspiration will be derived from the sounds of Dún Laoghaire’s streets, parks, cafes, and surrounds.

We are planning a duo performance at the end of this residency that will reflect this musical journey.

It is so rare to have the time and space to focus on the purely creative side of music-making. This residency not only offers an opportunity to do that in the incredibly inspiring environment of Dún Laoghaire and LexIcon Library but also it offers expertise and support from the industry experts and all the staff.

I am most looking forward to having the time to play and create music with Larissa and to be able to do it so close to home! I am really excited to introduce my music to the community I live in and to explore its cultural influences and connections.

I love listening to the sounds of my environment. My favorite sounds at the moment are the birds in my back garden and the sound of the sea.

Every performance is a unique experience and a special moment in time that happens between the performers and the audience. I love that moment of connection and understanding that happens in a live music performance, regardless of the languages spoken and the cultural background of everyone in the room.

I regularly perform with various groups and orchestras. You can hear my music regularly at many Irish venues with these groups. You can also search ‘Lidia Jewloszewicz-Clarke’ on Youtube and keep an ear out for radio broadcasts as a member of Banbha string quartet and Musici Ireland. I am also planning to update my www.j-clarke.com website regularly with news of upcoming performances and video links.

The residency will culminate in a performance on the 16^th of July at the Municipal Gallery, dlr LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire.

As her residency continues, DLR Musician-in-Residence Lidia Jewloszewicz-Clarke shares with us some of the work she has been developing at dlr LexIcon Venue with Larissa O'Grady. Join them in concert on 16 July, from 2.30pm in the Municipal Gallery of the dlr LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire.

This contemporary violin duo will delve into a repertoire that represents where they came from as a starting point to create a brand new work inspired by their surroundings and experiences in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

We support musicians to develop their professional careers at all stages.

Every year we provide professional and emerging musicians with residency opportunities both at home and abroad. Our residencies give musicians time, mentoring, funding and other supports to assist the development of their practice and careers.