A bit about the Thistle Trio
A unique dynamic chamber music experience to share our passion
The Thistle Trio is a Scottish based wind trio. The ensemble recently emerged from the friendship and passion of 3 musicians wishing to share their music in an interactive and inclusive way across all ages and backgrounds.
Laura Cioffi (flutes), Gaynor Gowman (oboe/cor anglais) and Pawel Jaworksi (clarinets) are all enthusiastic, friendly, passionate and approachable musicians. Their passion for chamber music has brought them together.
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The Thistle Trio is happy to offer traditional performances, interactive performances as well as workshops for audiences of all ages, needs and backgrounds. A small ensemble but a variety of choices!
Each performance will be “happiness-guarantee” for our audiences!
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Scroll down to discover more abour each player!
Laura Cioffi
Flute, alto flute & piccolo
Originally from Malta, Laura Cioffi, has performed all over the UK, from the back of a trailer van in the Highlands to the O2 Arena. Equally at ease improvising alongside Deep House Producers and performing on baroque flute, she studied at trinity Laban and Edinburgh Napier University. She performs regularly with Scottish Opera, English Classical Players and Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and has appeared behind famous names like Andrea Bocelli, Bryn Terfel, Hans Zimmer and Billie Eilish. Her flutey sounds have been heard on BBC radio 3, on vinyl b-sides and on Bandcamp
Gaynor Gowman
Oboe & Cor anglais
Gaynor Gowman is an enthusiastic performer and teacher. She is now based in the Scottish central belt after travelling throughout Europe for her studies graduating from the Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne, the Paris Conservatoire and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with first class diplomas. Former winner of all Scottish orchestras apprenticeship schemes, she now freelances regularly with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as well as with the Scottish Ballet, the London Concertante, the Scottish Concert Orchestra and Scottish Opera. Gaynor was regularly performing as a guest before the Covid Pandemic on international festivals in Italy, Spain, the UK and Russia.
Gaynor now shares her passion on a daily basis teaching woodwinds across the city of Edinburgh, as a regular visiting teacher with Sistema Scotland and as an oboe lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She also has a small private oboe class teaching anyone age 8 to over 70.
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Pawel Jaworski
Clarinet & bass clarinet
Pawel Jaworski is a Polish clarinettist and music tutor. Pawel graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he achieved a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours (2017) and Masters of Music Performance degree (2019). He was awarded an RCS Trust Postgraduate Scholarship to commence his Master of Music degree. He also won a Help Musicians UK Postgraduate Award. He is currently the Clarinet and Piano tutor at the Scott Lygate School of Music. He is also the Clarinet tutor at the Portobello Music School. As a soloist, Pawel has performed with the RCS Symphony as winner of the Classical Concerto Competition. He also currently plays with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as well as other major orchestras in Scotland and is a member of The Silver Keys clarinet quartet, Tropps Ensemble and Thistle Trio.
