Michael
How long have you been in VACMS?
Since 2011 What instrument(s) do you play? Mainly cello, but also double bass. I also learnt piano for a long time when I was younger, but despite all the practice time I’m not at a level where I can play chamber music, which is probably just as well because two instruments to practice is more than enough. What are your other interests? I dabble in a few different things, like bird photography, flying quadcopters, woodworking, and studying string instrument acoustics, but playing music is definitely my number one interest. As well as chamber music I regularly play with the Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra. Why did you join VACMS? I was playing reasonably regularly in a piano trio, but we lost our violinist and it was hard to find a replacement so it petered out. So for a while I just played in an orchestra but missed being in a small group, where you have much more autonomy and are a more important part of the group. In chamber music you can also stop and have a chat and glass of red wine when you feel like it, which is generally frowned upon at orchestra rehearsals! What have you enjoyed about being in VACMS? It’s a great way to meet other people to play with. I play reasonably regularly in a piano trio with other VACMS members, and we expanded that to a piano quartet and went to the Mount Buller Chamber Music school which was a terrific experience. I’ve also discovered that one of the VACMS pianists is not only a great classical player but also an awesome Jazz pianist, so we get together regularly and play jazz. Every VACMS play-in you get to play with different people and different types of groups, so you can experience a lot of different repertoire. What are some of the event highlights? Playing the Mendelssohn octet, alongside Zoe Knighton on 1st cello. The masterclass with Zoe Knighton – I learned lots of things that I wished I knew a long time ago! Also playing repertoire I’ve never played before, like the little-known Gebel string quintet, where I played bass. |
- back to Player Profiles