Eva Fowler’s recent performance at the Waimea College arts awards was a female world-first.
Her lead guitar part in Brandon Goff’s electric guitar ensemble ‘Full on Rumble,’ earned her the world first title as well as a standing ovation at the arts awards.
“I could hardly breathe at the end of my performance, it was so intense,” says Waimea College student Eva.
Music teacher Nicholas Sharpe had sourced the music for ‘Full on Rumble’ from composer Brandon Goff, who said it made his soul smile from ear to ear to think of Eva playing his music.
“Eva’s immensely talented,” says Nicholas.
When asked what her dream is, she smiles and says it’s to be a hugely famous musician and tour the world. Then adds, teaching is a more realistic goal.
“Mr Sharpe makes teaching look fun. He always looks like he enjoys it,” she said.
Eva said that he was a really good teacher. He always pushes her to try pieces she thinks she can’t play, but then ends up being able to. ‘Full on Rumble’ was one of those difficult pieces that took a lot of practice.
“At first I didn’t practice much. It just felt terrifying and I put it away,” says Eva, “but when I came back to it, the part I picked was easy. And then lockdown gave me a lot of time to practice.”
“In twenty years when Eva is sitting having a coffee talking about her Waimea College days, I think she will probably talk about this experience of being the first female in the world to play the piece of music,” Nicholas says.”