“I feel that being a part of Camerata opens so many doors as an artist as well as an educator and I look forward to spreading the joy of music with so many wonderful professionals this year.”

Meet Charlotte Scanlan, one of Camerata’s 2023 Upbeat artists!

Charlotte is a double bassist who was born and raised in Brisbane. She recalls falling in love with music at her very first music lesson in prep school, after which she began taking piano lessons. She soon after started playing the violin but always felt a strong calling to the double bass and eventually took her first lesson in 2012. Since then, she has never left her instrument and has been training under Marian Heckenberg, who also happens to be Camerata’s principal double bassist. 

Charlotte’s earliest memories of wanting to pursue music as a career go back to 2007 when, in prep school, she felt incredibly inspired by one of her music teachers who, she says, “radiated so much joy and passion during their lessons” that she knew she wanted to play an instrument for the rest of her life. She still feels inspired by her music teacher to this day and shared with us that “[she] aim[s] to be this person for other young musicians.” 

Charlotte applied to the Upbeat program after being encouraged by her mentor Marian Heckenberg and after some of her peers who participated recommended it to her. Her main motivation in applying was “the opportunity to play and learn alongside industry professionals” she says, as well as “the possibility of participating in Camerata’s educational outreach programs”. Indeed, while Charlotte loves performing, she is also passionate about teaching and her goal as a musician is “to spread love and passion of the craft, be that through performance or education.” 

Charlotte has never played in an unconducted orchestra this size before and is therefore incredibly excited to be joining Camerata. She realises the role each musician plays and the importance of communicating with each other when unconducted, and she is eager to experience and learn from it. She currently feels at the doorstep of her professional career and cannot wait for all the opportunities she will be benefit from, being an Upbeat Artist with Camerata this year.