RUTA VITKAUSKAITE’s (b.1984) musical interests are widely varied – while working in the field of classical composition (PhD at Royal Academy of Music in London, Masters at Lithuanian Academy of Music), Ruta has also been active initiator of experimental music projects (music visualization, acoustic surround, music personalization), organizer (2006-2013 director of Druskomanija festival and workshop series the Process in Lithuania, 2012-2017 facilitator of New Music Incubator with Martin Q Larsson in Nordic and Baltic countries, and now - across EU), performer (violin, piano, voice, electronics). While living in UK, Ruta has developed deep interest in music education (Learning Trainee at BCMG, Fellow at Open Academy at RAM, in 2013 working creatively with people living with dementia). Currently, Ruta is deepening her research in music personalisation (through her work with Spatial Opera Company, SE/LT, and her solo performance Something Personal), and delivering music as an experience through work with communities (through the site-specific workshop-based project WALKING OPERA).
https://rutavitkauskaite.weebly.com
Over the past five years I have been more and more deeply with experience of music and musical composition. Recently, I completed a seven song cycle, called 'Ruta' (after the sound-world of lithuanian songs sutartines, a herb which is a powerful antibiotics, and after my own name). I am planing to work on my song cycle 'Ruta' which is voice exploration cycle and does not use traditional singing, rather imperfections of my voice. I am also inspired to create a few new songs inspired by Setu people singing, regilaul, carelian songs and create some lyrics with invented words inspired by the sound of Estonian language and Setu dialect. I am also really inspired by the nature and trees of the MoKS residency surroundings - some of them similar to Lithuanian forests, large and powerful oak trees, although others, further away, small birch tree forests with incredible echoes, are so very unusual and exotically beautiful. I will am inspired to use my portable equipment to very delicate violin sounds into those wild forests, and then bring those delicate echoes and forests back with me into future concert halls. And one more idea - I would like to make a musical instrument out of clay and fur, inspired by Estonian folk instruments.