Bermudians don't have to go all the way to South America for authentic music, next weekend they can experience it right in Hamilton.

The Guitar Festival, organised by the Bermuda School of Music kicks off on May 28 with performances by Louise Southwood and David France.

They will be performing a collection of South American dances including Brazilian and Argentinian music.

"David and I are colleagues at the Bermuda School of music," said Ms Southwood. "We are known for our Piazzolla tangos. The tango is very big in Argentina. We will be playing some Spanish stuff also."

Mr. France and Ms Southwood recently returned from performing in India. They were invited to perform in Kodaikanal and Goa by Matthew Joseph, a doctor who previously lived in Bermuda.

"He is a guitarist as well," said Ms Southwood. "He put on the whole guitar festival over there.

"I played solo guitar out there and through our trip we gave workshops to children. In Kodaikanal we were teaching children from the International School so they were quite privileged children. But the children I taught had no classical guitar teacher, so they were quite appreciative and hungry for more instruction. That was very rewarding.

"In Goa I taught some children who did have a guitar teacher, but it is always good to get some input from other teachers. They were not quite so privileged as the first group. All in all it was an amazing experience. It made me realise how lucky we are in Bermuda."

She said she did find India overwhelming in a lot of ways.

"There was a great deal of poverty," she said. "But the people we met seemed quite content. We started off in Kodaikanal, which was about four hours up in the mountains.

"It was quite high altitude. They are not used to westerners up there. We got stared at quite a lot. But it was a small community, which was nice. "

On May 29, New York guitarist Stephen Robinson will be performing.

The New York Times has referred to him as having "effortless virtuosity".

He will be followed by the Brasil Guitar Duo on May 30, Saturday night. This duo consists of João Luiz and Douglas Lora. They won the 2006 Concert Artists Guild International Competition.

Last year the Brasil Guitar Duo received a standing ovation from the audience at the Bermuda Guitar Festival.

"They are phenomenal," said Ms Southwood. "The first half they will be performing classical pieces and the second half will be more upbeat with Brazilian dances. They will play without music. As far as technique and musicality goes, it can't be missed."

The festival will finish up on Sunday, May 31 with a Bermuda School of Music student gala concert.

"Teacher Stephen Crawford and I will showcase some of our best and most hardworking students," said Ms Southwood. "There are usually guest appearances from artists from the other concerts. We also have a selection of master classes. They are open to the public."

This will be the sixth annual guitar festival. It was originally organised by Mr. Crawford.

"It has always been a great success," said Ms Southwood. "It is always a sell-out. I think it is an amazing opportunity for anyone.

"My experience is that whenever I have been to a guitar festival in England or wherever, there are so many people attending them that you rarely get to speak to the artists. Here they become friends because it is a small thing. It is much more of a personal experience.

"(St. Andrew's Church) can sit 250 people at the maximum. We feel that everyone who is there really wants to be there. It does sell out quite quickly."

Tickets $30 for adults and $15 for students are available from the Bermuda School of Music, the Music Box and www.express.bm.

For more information telephone 296-5100. Concerts start at 7.30 p.m. at St. Andrew's on Church Street.