We are pleased to invite staff, patients and visitors to experience uplifting performances by talented artists from around the world. Take a Breathing Space to pause and recharge in the public spaces of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals.

Download a PDF version of the schedule here.

September

Wednesday 4th September – Central Hall, St Thomas’, 1-2pm

Perpetual Folly

Contemporary dance duo

Katie completed her training at London Contemporary Dance School. In 2012 she danced in the London Olympics Closing Ceremony. She has since worked in both the UK and Europe, freelancing as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Most recently in London she has worked with Clod Ensemble and Temitope Ajose-Cutting. Katie has also created her own work both for stage and film.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Mary received her BAs in Dance and Education & Social Transformation from the University of California, Los Angeles as a Regents Scholar. Through programs such as Ready, Willing & Able, Expressive Movement Initiative, and Camp Escapades, she led inclusive classes and created work for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Recently relocated to London, she performed with Clod Ensemble where she met Katie Kelly and began this collaboration.

 

Wednesday 11th September – Atrium 1, Guy’s Hospital, 12.30-1.30pm

Laetitia Fédérici and Neta Rudich

Classical violin & piano

The French pianist Laetitia Fédérici enjoys a busy career as a song accompanist and chamber musician. Laetitia particularly enjoys devising original programmes around different themes and collaborating with actors and visual artists. Some of her latest recitals include live painting and a poetry. She teaches piano at Trinity School, Croydon and at Sevenoaks School, and is an examiner for Trinity College London.

Neta is a violinist, violin teacher, writer, and a human rights activist. She is a passionate chamber musician, teacher, and a contemporary music performer and learner. Recently moved to London after living in New York, she has played with Ensemble Meitar Israel and the Israel Camerata Jerusalem. Neta also led the Merton College Orchestra in Oxford, and was a member of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also acted as an activist for refugees and asylum seekers in France and the UK, and has organized and performed a donation concert for refugees in Calais.

 

Wednesday 18th September – Central Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, 1-2pm

GSTT Staff members – Joshua Zoch & Mike Green

Guitar, piano and vocals

Mike is a consultant histopathologist at St Thomas’ Hospital and has worked in the Trust for 12 years. His main interest outside work is music, specifically playing guitar, piano and singing. He performs sporadically at parties/weddings for friends and at occasional open mic nights. Most of all he enjoys taking old pop/rock songs and adapting them to the piano-vocals set up.

Joshua is is a researcher at Guy’s Hospital, specialising in necrotising periodontal diseases. Also a portrait and abstract artist, Josh explores human connections through visual art and music as a singer-songwriter. This blend of science and creativity shapes Josh’s approach to understanding and expressing human experiences.

 

Wednesday 25th September – Atrium 1, Guy’s Hospital, 12.30-1.30pm

Peter Savizon & Bruno D’Ambra

Jazz music

Peter Savizon is a seasoned jazz and swing singer known for his smooth vocals and captivating stage presence. He brings classic standards to life with a soulful touch, delivering memorable performances that resonate with audiences.
Bruno D’Ambra is an accomplished pianist with a deep passion for jazz and swing. Trained in Italy, he has played internationally, impressing audiences with his blend of technical skill and emotive expression.

 

October

Wednesday 2nd October – Central Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, 1-2pm

Sherika Sherard

Soul & Folk

Independent Singer/Songwriter from South London, fusing Soul and Folk. Sherika has previously opened for Seal and had her music personally pick up by Spike Lee to feature on both series of “She’s Gotta Have it”. Sherika also played her first lead film role in a BFI Funded film called ‘PHEA’ a modern take on the classic Orpheus Greek myth. All songs featured in the film were written and perform by Sherika.

 

Wednesday 9th October – Atrium 1, Guy’s Hospital, 12.30-1.30pm

Double bill: Corali and Yoga Move Dance

Dance

Corali exists to make excellent and exciting live performances and film. Our practice is rooted in collaboration; we explore the relationship between dancers who identify as learning-disabled and those who do not; between dance and other art forms; and between professional and participatory artwork. Recent work includes an international tour of our family show Super Hot Hot Dog, performing with Thick & Tight at the International Mime festival, and winning the Pick the Fest award at the Oska Bright film festival 2022.

 

Wednesday 16th October – Atrium 1, Guy’s Hospital, 12.30-1.30pm

Gus McQuade and Gonçalo Maia Caetano from Royal Academy of Music

Classical guitar

Gus McQuade is a classical guitarist from Leamington Spa, currently doing a masters at the Royal Academy of Music. He is one of the current holders of the Musicians’ Company’s prestigious New Elizabethan Award 2022/23 and recently gave his debut at Wigmore Hall. Gus performs regularly both as a soloist and chamber musician, with recent concerts at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues and festivals including the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room, Kings Place, St. Bartholemew-the-great, Surrey Hills Music Festival and Petworth Festival.

Gonçalo received a Bachelor of Music Degree (First Class Honours) from the Royal Academy of Music and now continues his studies there for a Master of Arts’ Degree in Classical Guitar with professor Michael Lewin. Gonçalo has performed in many concerts throughout Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria and United Kingdom, and has been the recipient of many prestigious prizes. Gonçalo is currently being supported by the Musicians’ Company, after having been selected as the winner of the prestigious Musicians’ Company Award.

 

November

Wednesday 6th November – Central Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, 1-2pm

Balbir Singh Dance Company

Indian Fusion dance

Balbir Singh Dance Company (BSDC) embodies a rich fusion of classical Indian dance forms with contemporary western dance, creating intercultural exploration and storytelling. Based in Leeds, the company regularly works with a variety of artists and musicians and presents work to diverse audiences across the UK and internationally. BSDC is committed to serving as a bridge between diverse communities through multidisciplinary forms of art. The Company is currently exploring collaboration with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals to embed creative approaches to working with people living with chronic pain.

 

Wednesday 13th November – Central Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, 1-2pm

Christine Cunnold & Elspeth Wilkes

Classical

Christine Cunnold is a passionate lyric soprano noted for her opera and song recitals, who trained with English National Opera on their acclaimed Opera Works programme. Christine has sung with the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Aix en Provence Festival, and Birmingham Opera Company.

Elspeth studied at King’s College, London, Trinity College of Music and Royal Academy of Music. She has performed at the Royal Opera House; the Royal Albert Hall; St Martin-in-the-Fields; several West End theatres and at the Ravenna festival, the Edinburgh Festival and the Dublin Theatre Festival winning an ‘Oscar’ award. Elspeth has worked with BBC Wales, Royal Ballet and the Royal Shakespeare Company. As a musical director/repetiteur she has worked with Opera up Close, Opera Brava, Merry Opera Company and Opera de Bauge amongst others.

 

Wednesday 20th November – Atrium 1, Guy’s Hospital, 12.30-1.30pm

Gonçalo Pires from Royal Academy of Music

Classical cello

Gonçalo Pires was born in 2002 in Braga, Portugal. He began learning the cello at the age of 6 with Jorge Ribeiro at the Calouste Gulbenkian Music Conservatory in Braga. He commenced his BMus studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2020 and is currently in his fourth year, studying under the tutelage of Josephine Knight, Alfredo Piatti Professor of Cello at the Academy. Over the past few years, Gonçalo has performed widely as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral cellist.

 

Wednesday 27th November – Central Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, 1-2pm

The Caribbean Island Project

Caribbean Jazz Rhythm ‘n Groove

The Caribbean Island Project is an exciting group put together and fronted by the multi-talented singer Shireen Francis and is unique in the way that they integrate jazz harmonies with world influences including Afro-Caribbean/Brazilian rhythms of Reggae, Calypso and Samba, creating an unusual, but highly accessible musical hybrid. It consists of: Shireen Francis – vocals,  Dominic Grant – guitar,  Mao Yamada – double bass,  Fergus Gerrand – percussion.

 

December

Wednesday 4th December – Atrium 1, Guy’s Hospital, 12.30-1.30pm

Beth Angharad & China Bowls

Singer/songwriters performing original songs for Grief Awareness Week

Beth Angharad & China Bowls team up for Grief Awareness Week with Breathe’s lunchtime concert series. With both artists known for songwriting about topics not often talked about, they will be sharing their original songs, with some inspired by grief. Expect soothing sounds, insightful lyrics and inspiring performances.