“I am really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Camerata as it will be an amazing way to connect with incredible professional musicians (…). I also love performing, and Camerata gives performances filled with energy, which is something I am really excited to be a part of. I had seen quite a few [of their] performances in the past – all of which I absolutely adored, and had been trying to get more involved in chamber and orchestral music, so Camerata’s Upbeat Program seemed like a perfect opportunity!” 

Meet Mya Whatson, one of Camerata’s 2023 Upbeat artists! 

Mya is a cellist who was born and raised in Brisbane. She first started learning the piano at the age of 4 at the Queensland Young Conservatorium of Music, before she began playing cello at the age of 8. She was very fond of both instruments and struggled choosing between the two, before deciding to focus on cello. She fell in love with the versatility of the instrument, and very much enjoyed how playing cello allowed her to interact and play along more musicians, in contrast to the piano that in her eyes, held a more solitary component.  

Mya recalls wanting to pursue music as a career from a very young age. Her mom’s love for music inspired her to take up piano and cello in the first place, and she knew she wanted the artform to hold an important place in her life. She vividly remembers being 10 years old and walking on stage to perform at a concert in front of her new school of 1600 people and loving every second of it.  She shares: “I have never really seriously considered anything else since then – I have always loved music, particularly performing.” 

Mya applied to the Upbeat program after hearing about it from her peers and teachers at the Queensland Conservatorium, who recommended the program. Mya had previously been to several Camerata performances, which she had thoroughly enjoyed. She was also pursuing an interest in chamber and orchestra music, which led her to apply to Camerata’s Upbeat program.  

She has never played in an unconducted orchestra before and was determined to explore processes and rehearsals in unconducted orchestras like Camerata.  She says: “I believe this opportunity will give me huge insight into how to rehearse in a self-reliant group without the guidance of a singular authoritative figure. I’d always wondered how groups like Camerata rehearse, and the most efficient way to conduct rehearsals in this context, and I believe that being a part of the Camerata Upbeat Program will give me the opportunity to explore just that.” 

Most recently, Mya joined us for Viva Violin where, along with Camerata’s musicians, she performed Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Italian Symphony. A delightful opportunity, where Mya could experience chamber orchestra music and meet and learn from her peers. 

Our Upbeat program is designed to foster emerging artists through mentoring from our Artistic Associates, and rehearsals and performance opportunities to gain valuable industry insight and experience.? 

We are delighted to have Mya as part of Camerata’s Upbeat program.? 

Read about Camerata’s 2023 Upbeat Artists