About Camerata
Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra
Camerata is a Company in Residence at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
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.
Camerata's primary aim is to empower artists, inspire audiences, and enrich communities through music. Camerata performs a variety of styles of music in traditional and non-traditional spaces throughout the state and delivers workshops, school talks and concerts to support the education of young string players.
Camerata has a reputation for innovation and interesting and adventurous programming. The ensemble is extremely flexible in its repertoire and in the way it combines works in programs, playing the core "classics" as well as new and recent music, and Australian music. Camerata regularly works with performers outside the 'classical' sector.
Camerata has established itself as a chamber orchestra of national significance with an outstanding track record of artistic achievement.
Founder
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. She is widely known for her contribution to the development of string teaching in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia. Formerly a member of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Mayne Quartet, the Mayne String Trio and the University of Queensland Sinfonieta, she has given workshops and lectures, and has toured throughout Queensland, Australia and the USA. She has toured twice to important centres throughout New Zealand and has remained a regular lecturer.
Elizabeth has received citations from the American String Teachers' Association - "for outstanding leadership and service", from the Australian String Teachers' Association (AUSTA) Queensland, and from the Queensland Youth Symphony Council "for services to the orchestra in its early years". In 1989 she was awarded The University of Queensland's prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2000, the AUSTA National Distinguished Service Award. In 2002 she was placed on the first Honour Roll of the International Viola Society, Australia and New Zealand Branch. In 2003 she was appointed as Federal Examiner (strings) for the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). In Queensland she is an AMEB Senior Examiner, member of the Queensland State Advisory Committee and Chairman of the String Specialist Panel. She reviewed the complete Viola Syllabus for AMEB and has contributed to the development of numerous string syllabuses and Work Books for AMEB.
Elizabeth has undertaken projects for the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), Youth Music Australia, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Australian Examinations Board (AMEB), the Australian National Academy (ANAM) and Education Queensland's Fanfare Programme. She was a member of the founding committee for Musically Outstanding Students (MOST) programs for which she was advisor, conductor and tutor for many years. In addition she has pioneered numerous innovative string programmes throughout Queensland and regularly adjudicates throughout the country. Her initiatives include the National Youth Concerto Competition, the Taabinga Spring Music Festival, and Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra.
In 2001 she was responsible for bringing International Workshops for the first time in the southern hemisphere to Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, which resulted in the attendance of 500 national and international delegates. In May 2004 she was President of the Jury for the 11th International Violin Competition "Andrea Postacchini" in Fermo, Italy.
In 1975, Elizabeth became the founding president of the Australian String Teachers' Association (AUSTA), a position she held for four terms. Through this organisation she brought leading string performers and educators to Australia, directly influencing the development of string teaching in Australia. Elizabeth introduced the first string pedagogy course into Australia in 1978 while lecturing at The University of Queensland. She has also presented the comprehensive string pedagogy programme at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, arguably the most comprehensive string pedagogy course available. She was a founding member of the International Council of String Teacher Associations (CISTA) and formerly Chairman of Dalcroze Council of Australia.
In the Queen's Birthday Honours 2013, Elizabeth was made a Member of the Order of Australia, for "significant service to music education, particularly the violin."
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
- Dr Brett Dean
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.
Violin
Brendan Joyce
Brendan Joyce is Artistic Director and Leader of Camerata. He was born in Ayr, North Queensland and moved to Brisbane at the end of high school to study music at the University of Queensland. He furthered his musical studies in the USA and attained a Doctor of Musical Arts.
His leadership of Camerata was recently described by The Australian as dynamic and in Limelight as indefatigable.
In demand as a leader and concertmaster, Brendan leads for Orchestra of the Antipodes and Pinchgut Opera in Sydney. Over a 20 year period he has played with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, including as guest Concertmaster and most recently as soloist in their world premiere performances on period instruments of Max Richter’s hit work, Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed. During his youth orchestra days he led the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra. He has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and America’s Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, and during 2011 to 2013 performed the complete cycle of Bartok’s iconic String Quartets as a member of the Kurilpa String Quartet.
Jonny Ng
Jonny used to be all about drugs and rock & roll: a pharmacist and a musician. Two years ago, Jonny hung up his lab coat to focus entirely on his passion: music and music education. He is a violinist, violist, and pianist; enjoys teaching all three instruments as well as instrumental and choral accompanying, composing, arranging, and conducting. Jonny is Principal Second Violin and Education Manager for Camerata, pianist in Ensemble Entourage for Musica Viva In Schools, upper strings and piano teacher at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, and regularly tutors for the Queensland Youth Orchestra. From a young age, Jonny has had the privilege of touring all around Australia and the world doing what he loves: playing music. During that elusive down time, Jonny enjoys spending it with his loved ones, cooking, reading, and catching up on sleep.
Tiana Angus
Playing the violin is one of Tiana’s favourite things to do. She knew from an early age that she wanted to become a professional violinist and is so grateful that this dream came true as she absolutely loves playing music all day long. Tiana began learning at the age of 12 from her teacher and mentor, Elizabeth Morgan AM who significantly influenced her violin playing and continues to be at the core of her inspiration and passion for musical performance. In 2009, Tiana graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Masters of Music majoring in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy. Tiana says, I absolutely love playing in Camerata especially because of the other wonderful players; they are not only my colleagues but are also my Camerata family. I also love the new and interesting pieces I have been able to perform through being a member of this ensemble.
Sally-Ann Djachenko
Sally-Ann is a Scottish violinist who grew up in Glasgow. She studied (very hard!) at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Academy of Music and Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Her first job was with the Bingham Quartet (London) but she also enjoyed a freelance career playing with many fine UK orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra plus some onstage performances at the National Theatre (alongside Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter films). Her best gig ever was making icicle noises for a BBC documentary about Antarctica for which she was paid rather generously for the minimal effort involved! Her most dangerous gig ever was when the Mikado fell into the pit breaking her bow in half in a performance in Geneva. In her time off Sally-Ann enjoys spending time with her children (aged 6 and 8), baking, reading, and international travel. She loves playing in Camerata and thinks the choice of music is really original and exciting (and hopes you do too).
Anne Horton
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.
Jason Tong
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.
Allana Wales
Allana is a violinist of Camerata and completed her Master of Music Studies at RNCM, Manchester, having been awarded an International Experience Incentive Scheme Grant by the Queensland Conservatorium, where she completed her prior studies with Elizabeth Morgan AM.
Allana holds an LMUSA and ATCL Recital and has appeared as a soloist with the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestras performing Bartok, Tchaikovsky and Bruch violin concertos. Allana was a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra for their 2010 appearance under Sir Mark Elder at the BBC London Proms and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.
Allana regularly performs with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and in 2009 completed her training with Meredith Page to become teacher of the Alexander Technique.
Clare Cooney
Clare is an Artistic Associate with Camerata Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and Co-Artistic director of Ensemble Cherubim. She is an active freelancer in Brisbane playing regularly with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Topology and Australian Session Orchestra.
She attained her Bachelor of Music with Distinction from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and her Graduate Diploma at the University of Queensland studying under Michele Walsh and Adam Chalabi. Whilst at University she was the recipient of numerous prizes and undertook internships with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and Southern Cross Soloists.
Motivated by her deep love of chamber music, Clare has performed at numerous Chamber music festivals in the US and Australia including the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Bangalow Festival and Stradbroke Chamber Music Festival. She has also played in masterclasses for the Borodin String Quartet, Takacs Quartet and the Australian String Quartet. During her years as a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra she travelled to Europe and China performing in such venues as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, which she considers to be one of her most fulfilling musical experiences to date. Clare is the current co-concertmaster of the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra.
Viola
Alice Buckingham
Alice made her first musical sounds on the violin when she was 7, but discovered her true voice on the viola at 15. From then on there was no going back; music was the only thing for her. Alice is equally passionate about string pedagogy and performance, and is very thankful that she has the opportunity to do both. She loves to travel and experience the sights and sounds of the world. Alice is very happily married to theatre sound designer and composer Dane Alexander, and enjoys attending plays and contemporary theatre just as much as concerts. If she has a spare 15 minutes you’ll find her in a comfy chair with a good book and a nice cup of tea. In addition to her life in music, Alice also coordinates a support network for refugee families on the south side of Brisbane.
Elizabeth Lawrence
Elizabeth completed a Bachelor of Performance and Pedagogy on Violin at the Queensland Conservatorium of music, studying with Elizabeth Morgan AM. After prompting, she picked up a viola and after discovering the deeper sounds, has never looked back.
Elizabeth describes her most notable performance being When times Stops with EDC. Performing on stage from memory with the story and physicality of the dancers moving around was enormously challenging and rewarding.
Elizabeth enjoys making music with friends in many smaller chamber groups. She has a passion for sharing music in rural areas. Her favourite thing about Camerata is touring to regional QLD and taking music to those who can’t easily access live music.
I love seeing the faces of school kids hearing an orchestra’s sound for the first time.
Gregory McNamara
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.
nce 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 also played in the Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. Gregory 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 contributes to the sounds of Ensemble Cherubim in their larger performances and chamber concerts.
Cello
Katherine Philp
Katherine was born into a very musical family in the town of Murwillumbah in Northern NSW. After beginning cello studies at age 14 she moved to Brisbane to complete a Bachelor of Music, studying with Markus and Mei-Lee Stocker. Since then, she has developed an interesting and fulfilling freelance career playing variously in Camerata, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Kurilpa String Quartet, Musica Viva In Schools, playing as a soloist, playing as a guest in various bands, recording sessions, summer veranda jam sessions, appearing at folk and classical festivals around Australia, and most recently has been perfecting the art of playing Baa, Baa, Black Sheep on the guitar, accompanied by her two-year-old daughter on the descant recorder.
Nathan Smith
After completing his musical studies in Marseille and Paris, France, Nathan has enjoyed a diverse musical career. Nathan has worked in conjunction with a number of leading composers in Europe for the commissioning of new pieces, as well as working with early music ensembles specialising in the music of the Baroque era.
Shannon Tobin
Shannon has been a long-time member of Camerata. She also performs with other music ensembles and orchestras such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Shannon studied overseas in Switzerland for three years and had the wonderful opportunity to perform in the Luzern Symphony Orchestra. She likes a diverse range of music and has played with ballet and musical companies, likes contemporary classical music, and in the car she listens to Triple J. Shannon also thoroughly enjoys teaching and is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School.
Alison Smith O’Connell
Alison Smith O’Connell is a cellist, permaculture enthusiast and mother of 3 daughters.
Alison studied cello in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Germany, before moving to Kuala Lumpur to become a member of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. 8 years (and 2 babies) later, Alison returned to Brisbane, where she now performs regularly with Camerata, becoming an Artistic Associate in 2023.
In 2022, Alison completed the full Educators Program at the Permaculture Education Institute. Now she and her brother write silly songs together about backyard farming, bringing permaculture education to children through music. When not playing cello, or writing songs about butterflies and vegetables, Alison enjoys hanging out with her family and transforming her suburban backyard into an edible oasis.
Rory Smith
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.)
Double Bass
Marian Heckenberg
Marian was trained at University of Queensland and University of Southern California. During her studies she was awarded First class honours and was the recipient of the Rotary Foundation International Scholarship.
Marian’s performance highlights include Wagner’s Ring Cycle Adelaide 2004; touring Asia with Chicago the Musical; touring Australia with Westside Story; touring Argentina with Tasmanian Symphony; performing Expressions Dance Company’s When time Stops with Camerata; and most recently performing with Edgar Meyer! Marian has also appeared with Melbourne, Western Australian, Adelaide, Tasmanian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras.
In 2019, Marian founded “The Big Brisbane Bass Day”, an educational event where double bassists of any age or experience can benefit from masterclasses and chamber music experiences.
At Camerata, Marian values how each individual player takes responsibility and pride in their work, and adores the string repertoire and management team.
Quartet-in-Residence
Praised by the Sydney Morning Herald for their 'warmth of sound, sublime inner-voicing and spontaneity,' The Orava String Quartet is emerging as one of Australia's most exciting chamber music ensembles.
Protégés of the world renowned Takács string quartet, the Orava Quartet has performed extensively throughout the USA, Canada, China, Philippines, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong, and have performed for Queen Sofia of Spain and Pope Benedict XVI.
Orava won the Musica Viva Australia Tony Berg Award for the most outstanding Australian ensemble as well as the Peter Druce Audience Prize at the 2013 Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition in Melbourne.
Orava Quartet have been in residence with Camerata since 2014 and its members are: Daniel Kowalik (violin), David Dalseno (violin), Thomas Chawner (viola), Karol Kowalik (cello).
Beautifully calculated and coordinated... time and motion seemed to defy the laws of Physics
-The Washington Post
Dr Pamela Greet
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 & stakeholder engagement, capacity building & 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 & Remote Women’s Network.
Anthony Albert
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
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.
Hayley Linthwaite
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.
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.
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.
Michael Sterzinger
Michael Sterzinger joined Camerata as Executive Director in May 2021, bringing with him more than 20 years of international experience in all facets of orchestra management. Being drawn to Camerata as a vibrant and growing orchestra, Michael’s goal is to nurture an environment for the musicians to realize their potential and to engage with expanding audiences. His first priorities at Camerata include securing government, corporate and philanthropic funding, strengthening Camerata’s position in the market and structuring the organisation and its framework for future growth.
For the last seven years, Michael worked in the artistic planning team at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, curating concerts, project managing and securing opportunities for collaborations and orchestra hires. Previously, Michael worked for Queensland Youth Orchestras and, in Germany, at Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Schwetzingen Festival and Bavarian Youth Orchestra.
Michael is a graduate of Hannover University of Music (Music Performance, Tuba) and Hamburg University of Music and Theatre (Cultural Management).
He has played extensively as a professional tuba player in Germany until 2009, and is now a performing member of the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra.
Brendan Joyce
Brendan Joyce is Artistic Director and Leader of Camerata. He was born in Ayr, North Queensland and moved to Brisbane at the end of high school to study music at the University of Queensland. He furthered his musical studies in the USA and attained a Doctor of Musical Arts.
His leadership of Camerata was recently described by The Australian as dynamic and in Limelight as indefatigable.
In demand as a leader and concertmaster, Brendan leads for Orchestra of the Antipodes and Pinchgut Opera in Sydney. Over a 20 year period he has played with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, including as guest Concertmaster and most recently as soloist in their world premiere performances on period instruments of Max Richter’s hit work, Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed. During his youth orchestra days he led the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra. He has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and America’s Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, and during 2011 to 2013 performed the complete cycle of Bartok’s iconic String Quartets as a member of the Kurilpa String Quartet.
Angela Loh
Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Queensland University of Technology, Angela has enjoyed a varied and interesting career as a Stage Manager, Technical Manager and Production Coordinator. She has worked in a variety of genres, including musical theatre, opera, special events, festivals and corporate functions.
Angela began working with Camerata as a casual Stage Manager, and immediately felt a connection with the Camerata family and continues to be amazed and moved by the players’ versatility, passion and generosity.
Sonia Keenan
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.
Jacquiline Fraser
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.
Andrew Meadows
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.
Jason Tong
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!).
As Rehearsal Manager, Jason supports our team ensuring that our players know when and where they need to be during performance seasons, and assists in making sure rehearsals run smoothly…and to time!
Jonny Ng
Jonny used to be all about drugs and rock & roll: a pharmacist and a musician. Two years ago, Jonny hung up his lab coat to focus entirely on his passion: music and music education. He is a violinist, violist, and pianist; enjoys teaching all three instruments as well as instrumental and choral accompanying, composing, arranging, and conducting.
Jonny is Principal Second Violin and Education Manager for Camerata, pianist in Ensemble Entourage for Musica Viva In Schools, upper strings and piano teacher at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, and regularly tutors for the Queensland Youth Orchestra.
From a young age, Jonny has had the privilege of touring all around Australia and the world doing what he loves: playing music. During that elusive down time, Jonny enjoys spending it with his loved ones, cooking, reading, and catching up on sleep.
Play with Camerata
Musicians wishing to be considered for an audition or invitation to play with Camerata can express interest to do so at any time.
Camerata also welcomes immediate graduates and final year high-level university students to apply to the Upbeat Program for emerging artists.
Upbeat auditions will be held annually.
Your expression of interest is to include an attachment (no more than one A4 page) containing:
- A dot-point CV
- Name and contact details of two music referees
- A link to a video recording demonstrating up to 5 mins of your playing standard (existing recordings may be submitted)
Once complete, your expression of interest is to be emailed to angela.loh@camerata.net.au
