NEW: Tabla Solo Competition

New to Fantasia for 2025
We are very excited to launch a new competition at Fantasia.

Tabla Solos with Joelle Barker
Competitors perform a 2 minute live tabla solo with our amazing tabla player:  Joelle Barker.  This is a unique opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of creating a live tabla solo with a great percussionist.

Prior to this Levana is teaching a workshop on creating a tabla solo with Joelle.  So, if you are thinking of entering the competition, you might want to attend this and work with Joelle beforehand.  Joelle is also teaching a drumming session earlier in the day.

The competition will take place as part of the Open Stage.  
To enter this competition you must book 2 workshops at the Fantasia Festival.  The competition itself costs £25 to enter.  Spaces are limited to 15 participants.  Entries will not be accepted unless you have also booked 2 workshop (or more) at the Fantasia Festival.  Book your workshops now.  Everyone who has booked 2 or more workshops will receive and email advising once the open stage and competition bookings go live at the end of September.

For your tabla solo you can decide:
Start on or off stage
What rhythm you would like to start with – you will have a short conversation with Joelle to agree a few basic details.
After this, the solo will be a conversation between you and Joelle as you both improvise to create something unique.
As the 2 minutes draw to a close, Joelle will lead into a standard ending which we will explain on the day.
We will hold a Zoom mentoring call at the beginning of February in which you can ask any questions about the competition.

How will you be judged?
Our panel of judges will be looking at:
Technique – variety / definition / quality
Musicality – making effective use of the rhythms / phrasing
Presentation – professional appearance / costuming
The ‘Wow’ factor – bringing something extra special to your solo.

Your Judges:
Carmen Tormo
Dorte / Ishtar
Jamilah Aziz
Joanne Miller

Your prize?
Free tickets for this amazing Spanish festival.  Spread your wings and travel!