Karin Schaupp
Artists
KARIN SCHAUPP guitar
ARIA award-winning guitarist Karin Schaupp, celebrated worldwide, brings a program spanning centuries and styles, from timeless works by Bach, Schubert and Tárrega to brilliant Australian works by Joe Chindamo, Richard Charlton, and brand new pieces written especially for Karin by Ross Edwards, Phil Moran and Tara Lynam. With her playing described as “beyond comparison” (Rhein Main Presse, Germany) and “electrifying” (Australian Stage), this is a rare opportunity to experience up close the unmatched artistry of Karin Schaupp, and enjoy anew the exquisite beauty of the solo guitar.
PROGRAM
Phil MORAN Suite in D major (2026)
BACH (1685-1750) Fugue in A minor
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) (arr. JK Mertz) Lob der Traenen
MERTZ (1806-1856) Tarantella
Franciso TARREGA (1852-1909) Capricho Árabe, Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Ross EDWARDS (b.1943) Lullaby (2026)
Tara LYNAM Infinity (2026)
Joe CHINDAMO (b. 1961) Tenerezza
Ray LIN The feeling of home
Richard CHARLTON (b.1955) Kingfisher Dances
Concert duration: 60 min without interval
About the Artist
Karin Schaupp is one of the most outstanding guitarists on the international scene, her playing hailed by the German press as “so perfect, so complete, that it seems like a miracle”. While in her teens she won prestigious international prizes in Italy and Spain, and today tours regularly throughout Australia, Europe, Asia and North America performing as a recitalist, soloist and festival guest, and making countless television and radio appearances. Karin’s unique stage presence and magical, passionate playing have inspired several composers of note to write works especially for her, several of which she has premiered with leading orchestras.
Renowned for her expressive artistry and commanding stage presence, performance highlights include as soloist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games, Goodwill Games, and World Expo (Japan), some 150 performances of David Williamson’s Lotte’s Gift including at Edinburgh Festival; the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and a Musica Viva International Concert Season tour with Pavel Steidl. A frequent collaborator across artforms, Karin has worked with award-winning journalist and filmmaker Trent Dalton, director of photography David Kelly, and ARIA-nominated quintet Topology to create Love Stories, which premiered in 2015 to critical acclaim and most recently featured in the 2021 Brisbane Festival.
Other recent highlights also include the 2025 world premiere of Gerard Brophy’s Guitar Concerto Migrating with swallows, with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Umberto Clerici, a national tour for Musica Viva Australia with Flinders Quartet, premiering Carl Vine’s guitar quintet, Endless; and touring with pianist Alex Raineri including at Four Winds’ Windsong Pavilion and for Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival. The 2026 season features guest soloist performances with Southern Cross Soloists (at QPAC), the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (Cairns), Victoria’s Peninsula Summer Music Festival, the West Australian Guitar Ensemble Festival, and regional touring across south-east Queensland and beyond.
Karin’s extensive, ARIA award-winning discography with Warner Music and ABC Classics features acclaimed recordings of major guitar concertos by Australia’s foremost composers. A recipient of the Freedman Fellowship and an Australia Council Music Fellowship, Karin is also Head of Classical Guitar at the Queensland Conservatorium."
"… Karin Schaupp’s playing is so perfect, so complete, that it seems like a miracle" — Badische Zeitung (Germany)
"… fire, finesse and a feeling for balancing neoclassical and flamenco idioms…" — Limelight
"… Schaupp lives up to her reputation as one of the world’s most accomplished classically trained guitarists." — Sydney Morning Herald
Workshops
- General guitar class for CLASSICAL guitarists of all levels
- Performance class for all instruments ( solo or chamber) focussing on stagecraft, expression, musical narrative (suitable for regional areas)
- Chamber music class ( all instruments and ensembles welcome)
- Lecture/workshop on techniques for overcoming stage fright (one of my research fields for several decades).
Cushion Concerts
Little Angel's Guitar is a recording and live project for babies and toddlers created by award-winning concert guitarist Karin Schaupp. Karin started recording music for babies after becoming a mother herself and her best-selling ABC album Cradle Songs (dedicated to her then baby daughter) became one of the highest selling classical CDs in Australia in 2010 and was also used extensively in the childrens wards of hospitals around Australia.
Soon afterwards, Karin brought the project to the stage with live concerts for babes in arms (pre walking age) and she has presented these concerts at countless venues including City Recital Hall Sydney, MRC Melbourne, QPAC Brisbane etc. The concerts are usually presented with mats or cushions for seating and chairs/lounges around the edges. Pram parking has to be catered for and numbers should be capped at 60-80 babies and their caregivers. Concert length with Introduction is usually 35-40 mins. Multiple concerts per day are possible.
May
DI into an amp or PA, medium to low chair or piano stool without arms, to sit on (no higher than a dining chair). Karin can supply small amp if none can be provided (and if no PA). Mic to speak to audience.