ABOUT CAMERATA

Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra is a two-time Helpmann Award nominated ensemble and was recently awarded the APRA AMCOS Award (2024) for Championing Australian Music. Camerata has established itself as a chamber orchestra of national significance, and is known for its innovative and adventurous programming, thriving on collaborations with artists across a range of artforms.

Camerata performing Heartstrings 2023 on Concert Hall QPAC
Camerata performing Serenade at the QPAC Concert Hall in 2024

Pictured: Camerata performing Serenade at the QPAC Concert Hall in 2024.

About Camerata

Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1987 by acclaimed string educator Elizabeth Morgan AM, as an idealistic ensemble of emerging Artists which she then formed into a professional chamber orchestra in 2005. Performing without a conductor, the Artistic Associates and their guest artists proudly take full ownership of the music to form a thriving, refreshing and acclaimed voice within the Australian arts landscape.

The constantly evolving group undertakes a major concert season annually in both Brisbane and Toowoomba. In addition, the orchestra perform regularly in festivals, collaborations, regional tours, live-to-air national broadcasts, recording, and fundraising activities. As a Queensland ensemble, Camerata provides career and performance opportunities for string players who wish to build a professional, international career from Brisbane, and as a point of attraction for those returning from overseas.

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John Kotzas, Michael Sterzinger, Elizabeth Morgan, Brendan Joyce smiling at the camera

Pictured: (L-R) John Kotzas AM, Michael Sterzinger (Executive Director 2021-2024) founder Elizabeth Morgan AM and Artistic Director Brendan Joyce.

About our founder, elizabeth morgan AM

Elizabeth Morgan AM was formerly Lecturer in Violin and Viola at The University of Queensland for 18 years and, for 14 years, was Adjunct Senior Lecturer in String Studies and String Pedagogy at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University where she continues as a part-time staff member.

Born and educated in the UK violinist/violist Elizabeth studied at Trinity College of Music London with Jan Sedivka (Sevcik, Thibaud, Kocian, Rostal tradition) and was the British representative in Canada for the International Concours Jeunesses Musicales masterclasses with Henryk Szeryng.

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PATRONS

Camerata is fortunate to enjoy the patronage of Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, The Honourable Susan Kiefel AC KC and Dr Brett Dean.

Brendan Joyce performing Astor Piazzola's

Pictured: Artistic Director & Orchestra leader Brendan Joyce, 2022.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & LEADER

Brendan Joyce’s leadership of Camerata was recently described by The Australian as “dynamic” and in Limelight as “indefatigable”.
He frequently appears as soloist with the group, has led for milestones including its first recordings, tours, broadcasts, collaborations, and in acclaimed performances at the Tyalgum Festival, Darwin Festival, Queensland Music Festival and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Brendan is an alumnus of the original version of Camerata that played to critical acclaim 1987-1997.

In demand as a leader and concertmaster, Brendan performs regularly as leader of the Orchestra of the Antipodes in Sydney, and for many years appeared as a guest Concertmaster and member of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. With the latter he performed the premiere on period instruments of Max Richter’s Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed.  During his youth orchestra days he led the Queensland Youth Symphony and Australian Youth Orchestras.  Brendan has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, America’s Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, and has played the complete cycle of Bartok’s iconic String Quartets as a member of the Kurilpa String Quartet.

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Aunty Nancy Bamaga smiling at the camera

Pictured: Aunty Nancy Bamaga.

About Our Elder-in-Residence, Aunty Nancy Bamaga

Aunty Nancy is a respected Torres Strait Islander Elder and the Founder, Managing and Creative Director of Bamaga Productions, a full-service Indigenous-owned and operated content creator, strategy, and events consultancy, and has been Camerata’s Elder-in-Residence since 2021.

Aunty Nancy is a Curtin University graduate with links to the Thabu/Samu Clan from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait and is regarded as one of Australia’s leading Community Management and Cultural Development Practitioners.

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QUARTET-IN-RESIDENCE

Praised by the Sydney Morning Herald for their “warmth of sound, sublime inner-voicing and spontaneity,” the Orava Quartet has become one of Australia’s most exciting chamber music ensembles.

Orava Quartet Chamber Master pieces Artwork

Pictured: Our acclaimed quartet-in-residence, Orava Quartet. Daniel Kowalik (violin), David Dalseno (violin), Karol Kowalik (cello), Thomas Chawner (viola).

BOARD

Camerata’s board assists with the governance, leadership, and strategic direction of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.

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Dr Pamela Greet smiling at the camera

Dr Pamela Greet

Chair of the Board

Dr Pamela Greet is the Principal of Future Ag Queensland. Her purpose is creating innovative collaborations between the agricultural, technical, and conservation sectors for sustainable landscapes and communities in regional Queensland. Pamela has four decades of experience in community and stakeholder engagement, capacity building and project management. Pamela has a strong admiration for the tenacity and creativity of Queensland’s small regional communities. She has worked extensively in the development sector consulting across Africa, the Middle East and former Eastern Bloc countries for international NGOs out of both London and Geneva. Pamela has contributed as a director on several for-purpose boards including Austcare, ActionAid Australia, Financial Counselling Service Qld and the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network. Pamela became Chair of Camerata’s Board in 2022.

Camerata Deputy Chair Hayley Linthwaite smiling at the camera

Dr Hayley Linthwaite

Deputy Chair

Dr Hayley Linthwaite is an experienced facilitator and transformational learning designer who, throughout her rich and diverse career, has passionately built bridges between worlds and spheres of knowledge – from academia to corporate, from drama to education, from social change to leadership transformation. She is, at the core, an educator with a deep passion for transforming the way individuals, groups, organisations, and ultimately social systems learn, so they become capable of thriving in the complexity of an increasingly disrupted world. Hayley holds a PhD in Applied Performance, a Master of Creative Industries, and is an accredited Human Synergistics Life Styles Inventory™(LSI), and Global Leadership Profile, coach.

Camerata's Treasurer Anthony Albert smiling at the camera

Anthony Albert

Treasurer

Anthony Albert is a qualified accountant with over 20 years professional experience. He specialises in large corporate and international taxation. Anthony has experience in working with businesses to scale and grow, while managing the risks and opportunities this presents. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Business and Masters of Taxation (University of NSW), and is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ).

Joseph Kelly smiling at the camera

Joseph Kelly

Secretary

Joseph Kelly is risk management consultant with a Global Big4 accounting firm based in Brisbane. He specialises in third party and supplier risk management across multiple industries in the Asia Pacific region, assisting and advising organisations to develop strategies, frameworks and internal capabilities. Additional to his professional responsibilities, Joseph has acted as a producer and production manager supporting local theatre companies. He holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries, a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma of Law and is currently undertaking studies to obtain his Master of Business Administration from Queensland University of Technology. Joseph also holds certifications is relation to Data Privacy regulations and management.

Linda Siemon smiling at the camera

Linda Siemon

Linda Siemon is a stakeholder engagement, communications and classical music specialist. She holds a Master of Business from QUT and a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland. Based in London for seven years, she managed global promotions and marketing for Decca Records, worked in media management for BBC Radio 3 and audience development for the BBC Proms. In Australia, she has worked for Symphony Australia and the ABC, and has more than a decade’s experience working for the Queensland Government in communications and stakeholder engagement. As a musician, Linda has performed as a professional chorister, and as a member of the BBC Symphony Chorus she sang in more than forty BBC Proms concerts, including six Last Nights.

Susan Bryant smiling at the camera

Susan Bryant

Susan Bryant is an experienced financial planner, establishing her own firm, Seeds of Advice in 2011. Susan has over 30 years in the Financial Planning profession, most of that time spent in Toowoomba working with hundreds of farming families and more than a decade in private wealth management with industry leading Private Wealth firms. She has a Diploma in Financial Service ( Financial Planning) and is a Member of the Financial Planners Association (FPA). Susan has co authored several books on Leadership and Retirement Planning. Susan has previously served on the Boards of the Qld Rural Regional and Remote Womens’ Network Inc. and  Zonta International in Toowoomba and Warwick.

artistic associates

As Camerata performs without a conductor, Camerata’s core group of musicians, Artistic Associates, proudly take full ownership of their music-making in the spirit of chamber music to form a thriving, refreshing and acclaimed voice to empower artists, inspire audiences, and enrich communities through music.

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Brendan Joyce smiling at the camera

Brendan Joyce

Orchestra Leader

Brendan Joyce’s leadership of Camerata was recently described by The Australian as dynamic and in Limelight as indefatigable. He frequently appears as soloist with the group, has led for milestones including its first recordings, tours, broadcasts, collaborations, and in acclaimed performances at the Tyalgum Festival, Darwin Festival, Queensland Music Festival and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Brendan is an alumnus of the original version of Camerata that played to critical acclaim 1987-1997. In demand as a leader and concertmaster, Brendan performs regularly as leader of the Orchestra of the Antipodes in Sydney, and for many years appeared as a guest Concertmaster and member of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. With the latter he performed the premiere on period instruments of Max Richter’s Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed.  During his youth orchestra days he led the Queensland Youth Symphony and Australian Youth Orchestras.  Brendan has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, America’s Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, and has played the complete cycle of Bartok’s iconic String Quartets as a member of the Kurilpa String Quartet. Brendan attained a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from The University of Maryland, USA, receiving awards there for his leadership of the Maryland Handel Festival Opera Orchestra, as well as for presentations and premieres of the music of twenty Australian composers. His early teachers included Joyce Crooks, Lyn Darveniza and Stephen Frewen-Lord in Ayr, Queensland, where he was born and raised. He undertook extensive studies and mentoring with Elizabeth Morgan AM in Brisbane. Brendan also studied in the United States with Gerald Fischbach, and in chamber music with David Salness and the Guarneri String Quartet.

Jonny Ng smiling at the camera

Jonny Ng

Principal Second Violin & Education Manager

After juggling work life as a pharmacist and musician, Jonny Ng happily hung up his lab coat 13 years ago to solely follow his passion – music. Jonny is a leading Brisbane-based performer and music educator. He is currently Principal Second Violin, Education Manager and Artistic Associate of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Strings Coordinator, upper strings/piano/theory teacher and accompanist at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, AMEB Examiner (strings), violin tutor and audition panel for Queensland Youth Orchestras, runs a private teaching studio, regularly appears as guest conductor and accompanist for programs like Australian/State Honours Ensemble Program and Anglican Schools Music Festival, adjudicator, string workshop technician, violinist, pianist, violist, composer and arranger, and guest lecturer at the QLD Conservatorium of Music. Jonny’s eclectic career has seen him perform with Camerata under the Tree Of Knowledge in Barcaldine, create and perform live an entire soundtrack for silent film Man With A Movie Camera at Australian Cinémathèque, perform with recording artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The Cat Empire, Lior and Neil Finn, play in the pit for musicals My Fair Lady (directed by Julie Andrews), The Lion King, Wizard of Oz and for Queensland Ballet productions, improvise with Tibetan monks and Tenzin Choegyal at the sunrise ceremony at Woodford Folk Festival, and accompany his St Margaret’s string orchestra on cajón at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. In his spare time, Jonny enjoys long walks along Brisbane River or the off-leash dog beach at Coolum with his dog Falkor, doing laps in the pool, a thought-provoking book, a captivating TV series, going to a live performance, baking, an epic film at the cinema, and visiting an exquisite art exhibition.

Tiana Angus smiling at the camera

Tiana Angus

Violin

Tiana Angus began playing the violin at age four with the Suzuki Method after being inspired by seeing Itzhak Perlman playing on Sesame Street. Her passion for playing violin has never wavered. At the age of 13 Tiana began studying with the renowned pedagogue, Ms Elizabeth Morgan AM, who is regarded as one of the finest violin teachers in Australia. As Tiana grew up in Bundaberg, her Mum drove her 5 hours each way for these weekly lessons in Brisbane. Under Elizabeth Morgan’s guidance, Tiana completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Violin Performance and a Masters of Music majoring in Violin Performance and Pedagogy at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. During her time at the “con” Tiana was awarded the Patience Thoms Honours Scholarship which is awarded for academic excellence to one student from Griffith University studying any degree. Tiana dreamed from an early age of performing in a Chamber Orchestra when she graduated after profound experiences when her school’s string ensemble won Fanfare and when Tiana attended MOST. As a chamber orchestra in Queensland didn’t exist in Brisbane at the time, Tiana talked to Elizabeth Morgan about this instead of having a violin lesson one day and the spark to reform Camerata was again lit after hours of dreaming together. Tiana Angus has been an Artistic Associate in Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra since it reformed in 2005 and absolutely loves performing with her “Camerata Family.” With Camerata, Tiana can be found on the stage at QPAC playing really interesting repertoire; in the pit performing with the Queensland Ballet; playing various corporate gigs or even creating recordings that are broadcast on ABC Classic FM national radio. Tiana loves playing the diverse chamber music repertoire with Camerata - from music commissioned by living Australians to the great composers of the chamber music repertoire. While performing as a violinist in this ensemble Tiana has had the privilege of performing with soloists Lior, Kate Miller-Heidke, Katie Noonan, Lea Salonga, the Goldner String Quartet, Jack Liebck and the Australian String Quartet. In her spare time Tiana loves spending time with her husband and two young children. Together as a family they love to go on long walks in the bush, swimming at the beach, playing board games and eating tacos on Tuesdays.

Sally-Ann Djachenko smiling at the camera

Sally-Ann Djachenko

Violin

Sally-Ann is a Scottish violinist and pianist who studied at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire (Glasgow) with Warren Jacobs, Royal Academy of Music (London) with Clarence Myerscough and the Queensland Conservatorium (Brisbane) with Carmel Kaine. Career highlights include playing violin with the European Community Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, a touring season of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie with the National Theatre and 5 years as 2nd violinist with the Bingham Quartet (London). In 2020 she won an Arts Queensland grant to present the complete Opus 20 String Quartets of Joseph Haydn. Since 2009 she has been an Artistic Associate of Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, with whom she has performed many orchestral solos as well as presenting a Nordic Recital as part of their bespoke recital series in 2023. Sally-Ann performs with a wide variety of freelance groups in Australia and UK, including co-concertmaster of the Queensland Pops Orchestra and enjoys frequent chamber music collaborations with colleagues.

Alice Buckingham smiling at the camera

Alice Buckingham

Viola

Alice Buckingham made her first musical sounds on the violin when she was 7 years old, but discovered her true voice on the viola at age 15. Alice holds a Bachelor of Music (Music Performance) with Honours Class IA and a Master of Philosophy in Music Performance, both from the University of Queensland under the tutelage of Patricia Pollett. As an Artistic Associate on viola with Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra, Alice has relished the opportunity to explore multi-disciplinary performances with dancers, theatre practitioners, and artworks, and one of the highlights of her career so far was performing in the production of When Time Stops with Expressions Dance Company. Alice is equally passionate about string pedagogy and performance, and is very thankful that she has the opportunity to do both. She has enjoyed developing material for Camerata's education programs and teaching online lessons in the ROAD program. Alice was also a founding member of DeepBlue orchestra and spearheaded the development of their youth engagement program, YoungBlue, which continues to inspire young musicians through workshops and holiday programs. Alice is a strings teacher at All Hallows' School, has conducted the Queensland Conservatorium's State Honours Ensemble Program in the Brisbane metropolitan and Capricornia areas, and is a regular guest at the Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Viola Day. She also enjoys historical performance and was selected to participate on baroque viola at the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute in Toronto, Canada, in 2013. Alice is mama to two gorgeous daughters and wife to a spectacular husband, and in her opinion, it is always time for a cup of tea. Outside of the "classical" realm, her most-streamed tunes include music from Dave Matthews Band, The Beatles, Taylor Swift, and the musicals Wicked and Rent.

Alison holding cello and smiling

Alison Smith O’Connell

Cello

Alison Smith O’Connell studied cello in Brisbane, Melbourne and Bremen, Germany, before moving to Kuala Lumpur to become a member of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. During her 8 years there, Alison enjoyed travelling around Southeast Asia, eating street food and exploring the jungle. Now based in Brisbane, she performs regularly as an Artistic Associate with Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber orchestra, and as a casual member of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She is just as happy on the stage as she is in the orchestral pit, performing for ballets, operas and musicals. Alison loves performing chamber music with friends and travelling around Regional Queensland on tour with Camerata. She enjoys working on interesting performance projects, such as the award-winning short film “Sex, Drugs and String Quartets”, and performing and recording with Muses Trio on their album “The Road Not Taken”, celebrating music written by women, performed by women. Alison is very passionate about climate action, spending time with her 3 daughters, and transforming her suburban backyard into an edible oasis.

Allana Wales smiling at the camera

Allana Wales

Violin

Allana is a violinist of Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. She completed her Master of Music Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, having been awarded an International Experience Incentive Scheme Grant by the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. Allana completed a Bachelor of Music with Elizabeth Morgan, AM. Allana is based in Brisbane and regularly performs with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She was born and raised in Cairns and feels immensely privileged to have learnt her instrument as part of the Far North Queensland state music education system. Allana is also a former student of Stella Massey, OAM. Allana is a keen reader, and a fair Scrabble player. She is a not-so-keen gardener. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Theology through the University of Divinity.

Anne Horton smiling at the camera

Anne Horton

Violin

Currently Artistic Associate at Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and core member of Ensemble Q and Ensemble Trivium. Anne Horton established her career as a member of the Australian String Quartet (formerly the Tankstream Quartet which won several prestigious awards including First prize in the Cremona and Osaka International String Quartet Competitions). She has released albums for ABC Classic FM including works by Debussy, Ravel and Schubert. Anne is a Teacher of Violin at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. Born in Perth, Anne holds a Master of Music Performance from The Australian Institute of Music in Sydney under the tutelage of Alice Waten and studied an Artist’s Diploma with the Alban Berg Quartet at the Cologne Hochscule for Musik. Anne has performed nationally and internationally throughout Europe and Asia, where she has enjoyed successful artistic collaborations with many highly acclaimed performers

Clare Cooney smiling at the camera

Clare Cooney

Violin

Clare’s love of music was nurtured by her musical family in the Blue Mountains of NSW where, as one of five children, she was never short of people to play music with. Playing with the Sydney Youth Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra helped to fuel Clare’s passion for music and encouraged her to pursue music as a career. This prompted her move to Queensland, where she obtained her Bachelor of Music with Distinction from Queensland Conservatorium and Graduate Diploma from the University of Queensland studying under Michele Walsh and Adam Chalabi. Clare has a deep love of Chamber Music and has performed at numerous Chamber music festivals in the US and Australia. As co-artistic director of Ensemble Cherubim she enjoys curating concerts and events, and is an active freelancer career performing with QSO, Australian Session Orchestra, Momentum Ensemble, Prospero Arts and Topology. Recent performance highlights outside of Camerata for Clare include performing Wagner’s Ring Cycle with Opera Australia’s 2023 QPAC production, performing as Soloist with Brisbane Concert Orchestra, Pirates of Penzance with Prospero Arts and touring with Topology. Clare rarely misses a week of parkrun and when she isn’t on the stage you would most likely find her running a marathon or an ultramarathon. One of her favourite parts of being a violinist is touring, having the opportunity to explore new places, particularly the beautiful nature that Australia has to offer.

Elizabeth Lawrence smiling at the camera

Elizabeth Lawrence

Viola

Elizabeth began her time with Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra in 2009 on violin, while completing her studies with Camerata’s founder, Elizabeth Morgan AM. After some gentle nudging, she picked up a viola and promptly fell in love with the instrument and it’s role in ensembles. One of the things Elizabeth values the most about Camerata, is the commitment to bringing music and performances to a wide range of audiences, including in regional areas, to young children and the elderly. Having grown up in a small country town, the opportunity to share music outside of city centres is close to Elizabeth’s heart. When not playing her instrument, Elizabeth’s life is full of other roles including small-scale farming, veggie growing, and being mum to two young children. She is a passionate educator and enjoys encouraging young musicians along their journeys. She teaches in Toowoomba, and regularly guest tutors various youth ensembles.

Gregory McNamara smiling at the camera

Gregory McNamara

Viola

Gregory McNamara regularly performs and teaches in Brisbane and across Queensland. He has a Bachelor of Music in advanced performance with the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, and studied for three years in the Professional Performance Program at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. Gregory is a regular guest in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s viola section and has played in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra also. Gregory also performs occasionally with the band Topology, and has been a part of their main shows, their education touring programs and their regional performance touring. On occasion, Gregory also contributes to the sounds of Ensemble Cherubim in their larger performances and chamber concerts.

Jason Tong smiling at the camera

Jason Tong

Violin

Jason has been playing the violin for over twenty years and also enjoys playing the piano and Otamatone usually with mixed results (find a video of someone playing Otamatone, you won't regret it!). When Jason is asked the popular tricky question, who’s your favourite composer?, he answers with, Most of the ones with whose last names start with 'B'. In his spare time he enjoys bicycle riding, swimming, picnics, hanging around with friends, and trying all kinds of food from other cultures.

Katherine Philp smiling at the camera

Katherine Philp

Cello

Cellist Katherine Philp’s work ranges from the classics to cutting edge contemporary art music, as well as session recording, improvisation, arranging and composing. She is particularly interested in chamber music, projects that engage in respectful intercultural collaboration, and actively supports the generation and performance of new works by women and non-binary composers. Katherine has a special interest in interpreting new and experimental music, and has undertaken study with Rohan de Saram and Lucas Fels (of Arditti String Quartet) as well as performing and studying contemporary music across San Marino, Germany, Austria and France. Katherine’s performances and arrangements have been broadcast live and recorded for ABC classic FM and Radio National. She is currently the principal cellist of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, plays with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, appears with Southern Cross Soloists, is a mum of two munchkins, and maintains a busy and eclectic freelance career. Some favourite moments include playing at the Dawn Ceremony on New Year’s Day at Woodford Folk Festival, and the delightful job of recording on the albums and episodes of Bluey.

Marian Heckenberg smiling at the camera

Marian Heckenberg

Double Bass

Marian moved to Los Angeles after completing her BMUS at the University of Qld, to study with renowned bassists Paul Ellison, Dennis Trembly at USC and later with François Rabbath in Paris. Marian gained enormous orchestral experience during this time and loved the frantic recording studio scene and chamber music opportunities. Upon returning to Australia, she started her freelance career with the QSO, MSO, ASO, WASO, Orchestra Victoria as well as touring internationally the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Marian is a dedicated teacher/educator and is proud to be a co-founder of the Big Brisbane Bass Day, an annual event that brings together over 100 Australian bassists. Over her eclectic career Marian has performed and travelled with numerous musical theatre productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Dr Zhivago, Westside Story, American in Paris, Mary Poppins, Wizard of Oz, Les Miserable, The King and I, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Ladies in Black. Her most rewarding role is as principal bassist with Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. She feels enriched by vibrant experiences and supported by the unique camaraderie!

Nathan Smith smiling at the camera

Nathan Smith

Cello

After completing his musical studies in Marseille, France, Nathan has enjoyed a diverse musical career. His eclectic musical tastes have led him from baroque musique to contemporary art music and everything in between. Nathan has been an associate with Camerata for over 10 years and is blessed to have found in Camerata a musical home where such eclecticism is a shared foundation. In parallel, Nathan enjoys a lively career as an educator with students coming out of his ears. More recently Nathan has taken a keen interest in protecting his expensive cello from the curious but not so gentle hands of his two very young sons.

Rory Smith holding cello and smiling at the camera

Rory Smith

Cello

In 2023, Rory joined Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra as an Artistic Associate. He is Co-Artistic Director of the Brisbane based chamber group: Ensemble Cherubim and regularly performs with Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, Rory picked to learn the cello in Grade 5 because his brother said “it sounded cool”. Less than 10 years later he decided to pursue a career in music, completing a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) in 2019 under the tutelage of Patrick Murphy and later from Hyung Suk-Bae. Whilst at university, Rory took part in internships with Southern Cross Soloist’s and Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and received Masterclasses from the Australian String Quartet, Tinalley String Quartet and Howard Penny. Rory was invited to participate in the Virtuoso e Belcanto festival in Lucca, Italy and enjoyed learning from esteemed Pedagogues such as Peter Bruns, Istvan Vardai and Xenia Jankovic. Rory enjoys travelling and is always planning his next overseas trip (but mostly dreams about being back under the Tuscan sun with a glass of wine.)

Shannon Tobin smiling at the camera

Shannon Tobin

Cello

Shannon is a freelance cellist and teacher who balances performing with teaching. She has been a long-term member of Camerata and has performed with many other ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Luzerner Symphony Orchestra, Luzern International Music Ensemble, Contemporary Ensemble - Collusion, Queensland Pops Orchestra and the Aarth Operetta Orchestra. Over her career within several of these chamber ensembles she has recorded for various different labels and performed at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Bangalow and Tyalgum Classical Music Festivals, Musica Viva Country Wide and Musica Viva in Schools, as well as professional musical productions for their Brisbane Season. Shannon is currently the Head of Performance Music at St. Aidan's Anglican Girls School and enjoys inspiring the next generation of musicians.

MANAGEMENT

Camerata has established itself as a chamber orchestra of national significance with an outstanding track record of artistic achievement, and is composed of an experienced, passionate and dedicated team.

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Angela Loh smiling at the camera

ANGELA LOH

Interim Executive Director

Angela has cultivated a rich 28-year career in the arts, spanning roles as Stage Manager, Technical Manager, Orchestra Manager, and Producer across musical theatre, opera, festivals, special events, and corporate functions. During her Bachelor of Arts studies at Queensland University of Technology and early professional years, Angela discovered what would shape her career path, the belief that music has a unique ability to connect people and strengthen communities. Camerata has been at the heart of Angela's work for over 18 years, its collaborative spirit and artistic excellence constantly inspiring her. Her contributions include producing more than 13 years of touring programs and working alongside colleagues to expand community engagement and education initiatives. Committed to professional growth and organizational development, Angela continues to deepen her knowledge in strategic leadership, governance, and philanthropy through ongoing learning and mentorship. She brings this evolving skillset to her work in strengthening audience engagement and supporting Camerata's adventurous programming. Angela's driving force remains her dedication to creating an environment where artists can flourish. She continues to find inspiration in the exceptional work of Camerata's musicians, guest artists, and collaborators.

Brendan Joyce smiling at the camera

BRENDAN JOYCE

Artistic Director

Brendan Joyce’s leadership of Camerata was recently described by The Australian as dynamic and in Limelight as indefatigable. He frequently appears as soloist with the group, has led for milestones including its first recordings, tours, broadcasts, collaborations, and in acclaimed performances at the Tyalgum Festival, Darwin Festival, Queensland Music Festival and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Brendan is an alumnus of the original version of Camerata that played to critical acclaim 1987-1997. In demand as a leader and concertmaster, Brendan performs regularly as leader of the Orchestra of the Antipodes in Sydney, and for many years appeared as a guest Concertmaster and member of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. With the latter he performed the premiere on period instruments of Max Richter’s Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed.  During his youth orchestra days he led the Queensland Youth Symphony and Australian Youth Orchestras.  Brendan has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, America’s Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, and has played the complete cycle of Bartok’s iconic String Quartets as a member of the Kurilpa String Quartet. Brendan attained a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from The University of Maryland, USA, receiving awards there for his leadership of the Maryland Handel Festival Opera Orchestra, as well as for presentations and premieres of the music of twenty Australian composers. His early teachers included Joyce Crooks, Lyn Darveniza and Stephen Frewen-Lord in Ayr, Queensland, where he was born and raised. He undertook extensive studies and mentoring with Elizabeth Morgan AM in Brisbane. Brendan also studied in the United States with Gerald Fischbach, and in chamber music with David Salness and the Guarneri String Quartet.

Jacquiline Fraser smiling at the camera

Jacquiline Fraser

Marketing & Development Manager

Jacquiline joined Camerata in July 2021 after five years with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and with a background in marketing, communications, digital media and ticketing. Jacquiline brings with her a breadth of arts marketing experience and an excitement to share and spread the joy of Camerata’s music-making. Jacquiline holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative and Professional Writing with a Graduate Certificate in Business (Integrated Marketing) from the Queensland University of Technology. She is an avid music lover and constantly in awe of the talent of Camerata musicians.

Tammy Weller smiling at the camera

Tammy Weller

Managing Producer

After graduating from the University of Southern Queensland with a Bachelor of Theatre Arts majoring in Acting, Tammy Weller has worked extensively as an actor, producer, and writer around Australia. Tammy is best known for her performance as Annie in the international tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong and the Australian tour of The Play That Goes Wrong. Further theatre credits include Puffs Life Like Productions, Pocketful of Pebbles White Rabbit Theatre, The Hitmen Baker’s Dozen Theatre Company, and Maple and Vine Bottled Snail Productions. Her voiceover work is a part of radionotes Podcast which was awarded Australia’s Best Entertainment Podcast in 2022. In 2010, Tammy wrote, produced, and performed Single Admissions at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and a sell-out season at Metro Arts, Brisbane. Single Admissions was nominated for six Matilda Awards including Best Independent Production and Best New Australian Work. In 2014, Single Admissions was published by Playlab press. In 2017, Pocketful of Pebbles, created in collaboration with Lisa Smith and Victoria Carless was presented at the Gold Coast Arts Centre (now HOTA). She recently completed the Incubator program through Playlab and has been commissioned by Playlab to co-write Theft, a new play to premier in 2026. Alongside her creative endeavours, Tammy has been Associate Festival Producer for Wynnum Fringe Festival and Orchestra Manager at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She is relishing the opportunity to grow as a Producer as part of the Camerata team.

Sonia Keenan smiling at the camera

Sonia Keenan

Producer

Sonia comes from a stage management and technical production back ground and joined Camerata in March 2021. Sonia has over 14 years experience in the live entertainment industry as a stage manager spanning multiple genres from opera, musical theatre, live music, comedy and events. Sonia attended the University of Southern Queensland studying a Bachelor of Theatre Arts and Technical Production, majoring in Stage Management. Her love for the arts and culture has brought her to where she is today, working with an abundance of talented musicians and creative teams who support the drive for providing memorable cultural experiences to people around the world.

Andrew Meadows smiling at the camera

Andrew Meadows

Production Coordinator

Andrew has 25 years of experience working in the Performing Arts. From Installation and Performance Art to Opera, Ballet and Musicals, outdoor events and music programs to large Concert Hall performances, music has driven the work he has been attracted to throughout his career. This is his first experience working exclusively for an orchestra, and he finds Camerata to be the perfect fit. His diverse design, technical and production management skills align perfectly with Camerata’s innovative and bold programming. Like Camerata, he has a passion for collaborating with artists across a range of artforms.

Debopam Talukdar smiling at the camera

Debopam Talukdar

Marketing Coordinator

Debopam (Debo) has a strong background in digital marketing, content creation, and customer service/engagement. His creative approach drives his work, and he is eager to offer unique perspectives in presenting Camerata to its audience. Debo holds a master’s degree in Marketing and Business Analytics from the University of Wollongong, Australia, and has volunteered in marketing roles for various communities, clubs, and charities. With a passion for music, Debo enjoys playing guitar and is particularly interested in learning more about orchestral music and the artform.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Jason Tong performing in the QPAC Concert Hall with Camerata for Four Seasons Reimagined, 2022 Jason Tong performing in the QPAC Concert Hall with Camerata for Four Seasons Reimagined, 2022

play with camerata

Interested in playing with Camerata? Camerata welcomes expressions of interest at anytime. Camerata also welcomes immediate graduates and final year high-level university students to apply to the Upbeat Program for emerging artists.

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