Maggie Ferguson

MAGGIE FERGUSON – Dip Mus, Grad Dip Performance – Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2003, after two decades as a classical violinist and chamber musician, Maggie Ferguson went to Buenos Aires to study orchestral tango at the Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce. With the support of The Ian Potter Cultural Trust, she returned each year to play with the Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce under the direction of Maestros Emilio Balcarce, Carlos Pazo, Walter Rios, Jose “Pepe” Libertella, Nestor Marconi, Victor Llavallen, Leopoldo Ferderico, Ariel Espandrio and Ramiro Gallo. She has performed at the Biblioteca Nacional, La Casa del Tango, Clasico y Moderna, La Viruta and on LA2×4 FM live tango radio. In 2007, Maggie began bandoneon studies with professors Santiago Polimeni, Camilo Ferrero and Ramiro Boero. Each year she visits Argentina to work with colleagues and collect priceless repertoire. In Australia she performs with her quintet MFT tango & Friends on violin and bandoneon. The concerts are specially crafted to present a musical tango journey throughout the 20th century, incorporating tango history, styles, composer anecdotes, the dance and some joyous audience participation.
Festivals include Canowindra Baroquefest 2016, Stradbroke Island Chamber Music Festival July 2015, Pearl Beach Chamber Music Festival June 2015, Canberra Tango Social Club Gala Festival 2008 and 2015, Bowral & Southern Highlands (BASH) Tango Festival November 2013 and 2014, Royal Botanic Gardens Autumn Vibes 2013, Moorambilla New Australian Music 2010, Riverina Summerstrings 2008 – 2013, Woollahra Festival 2010 and 2012, New England Chamber Music Festival 2012 and The Rocks Aroma Festival 2011 & 2012.
In 2009, Maggie Ferguson created Australia’s first tango training orchestra, TangoOz. An International Tango Escuela was held in collaboration with Sydney Conservatorium High School in July 2009, with guests Ignacio Varchausky and Santiago Polimeni from Buenos Aires. She performed again with Varchausky, Polimeni and didgeridoo player William Barton in Canberra in 2010. In July 2016, TangoOz visited Buenos Aires and Montevideo to study and perform at the Escuela De Tango Emilio Balcarce under the direction of Victor Lavallen. They recorded an EP which has just been released. http://www.maggiefergusontango.com/tango_oz/ . The tour formed important formal links between Maggie Ferguson’s work in Australia and the work of Ignacio Varchausky’s Tangovia .org in Buenos Aires. TangoOz hit Libertango has over two million YouTube views. In 2017, Maggie Ferguson will conduct TangoOz for its 9th year, as part of the Conservatorium High School’s Large Ensemble Access program.
In 2017 Maggie re formed her professional ensemble MaggieFergusonTango & Friends with a program based around the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla. They have had several sell out concerts presenting this show in Sydney and regional venues. In November her quintet will appear in Orange to perform the 8 seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla with the Colour City Chamber Orchestra with director and soloist Andrew Baker
She has also conducted the Australian Tango Academy for SYO. Concerts performances have been on the ship QE, at the Art Gallery of NSW, City Recital Hall and Sydney Town Hall. She teaches tango at Sydney Conservatorium High School and introduces tango to music students in rural areas. She has conducted orchestral tango workshops at Charles Sturt University, Kildare Catholic College and Riverina Summerstrings, Wagga Wagga, Orange Regional Conservatorium, MLC School, Shore School, PLC Croydon, PLC Pymble, Kincoppel School, St Aloysius College, Manly Selective High school and St Andrews Cathedral School. She has HSC students from Conservatorium High School, Sceggs Darlinghurst, PLC Pymble, PLC Croyden, St Andrews Cathedral School and gives specialist tuition to students at Sydney Conservatorium and UNSW.
In 2011 Maggie recorded Tango Project Loca Bohemia in Buenos Aires on violin and bandoneon with a quartet of Argentine tango virtuosi. Produced by Ignacio Varchausky (2009 Latin Grammy Award), the tangos are arranged by Andres Linetzky, German Martinez and Maggie Ferguson.. More information HERE In 2014 Maggie was invited to film ‘Quejas De Bandoneon’ (bandoneon solo) as Australia’s reprensentative for 100 Bandoneons 100 Cities. Her second solo film, Bach Bourree at Bondi Beach is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl5mSLzz0aY Maggie Ferguson plays an Alfred Arnold (AA) Premier bandoneon made in 1936.