2024 UQ Chamber Academy

Program

Experience the sublime harmonies and virtuosic performances of the awardwinning chamber music ensembles from the prestigious UQ Chamber Music Academy. Join us for an enchanting concert filled with the rich tapestry of classical repertoire, brought to life by the exceptional talents of these rising stars. From Dvorak’s stirring Piano Quintet to Smetana’s tragic Piano Trio dedicated to

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the memory of his eldest daughter, each ensemble showcases unparalleled skill and passion, promising an unforgettable musical journey. Be transported by the intimate setting of chamber music, where every note resonates with depth and emotion. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a newcomer to classical music, this concert delights and inspires.

Ein Na • Eric Kim • Haydn Li • George Li • Isabella Oxenbridge

Piano Quintet No.2 in A major, Op.81 Antonin Dvorak

i. Allegro, ma non tanto

Timli Trio

Holly Shelton • Patrick Phillips • Panelo Hsieh

Piano Trio No.1 in G minor, Op.15 Bedrich Smetana

i. Moderato assai

Trio Bellissimo

Haydn Li • George Li • Isabella Oxenbridge

Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op.19 Sergei Rachmaninoff

iii. Andante (arranged for piano trio by Russell Hancock)

Timli Trio

Holly Shelton • Patrick Phillips • Panelo Hsieh

Primavera portena Astor Piazzolla

Violation

Ein Na • Eric Kim • Haydn Li • Holly Shelton • Patrick Phillips • George Li

String Sextet in D minor “Souvenir de Florence”, Op.70 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

iv. Allegro con brio e vivace

About

The UQ Chamber Music Academy brings together secondary school-aged string players and pianists with a commitment to excellence in chamber music. Through an immersive year-long program, they learn from each other as well as internationally leading musicians at the UQ School of Music.

The UQ Chamber Music Academy is a unique program in the national classical music environment. It brings together exceptionally talented secondary schoolaged string players and pianists to explore the world of chamber music performance at the highest level. Established in 2023, the program’s roots can be traced to 2021 when the Amogus Trio secured the Robert Salzer 1st Prize at the Strike A Chord National Chamber Music Championship. Following their success, The IncrediBows and Trio Bellissimo also progressed to the

grand finals in Melbourne in 2022, among 12 groups nationwide.

The program is driven by the desire to share the joy of chamber music, with other music students and with the public at large. The students in the program are all highly accomplished soloists, including winners and finalists in various state, national and international competitions. They have served as concertmasters and principal players in a range of orchestras, with many also appearing as concerto soloists. This year, UQCMA ensembles achieved a clean sweep of every major prize at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and the inaugural Redlands Youth Chamber Music Festival. Students in the program receive intensive coaching and masterclasses from acclaimed UQ School of Music staff, including Anna Grinberg, Patrick Murphy and Tim Li.

Ein Na Violin

Ein Na, a 14-year-old violinist from Brisbane, attends Somerville House School and studies with Spiros Rantos, having begun her violin studies with Mrs. Yang. By age 10, she was touring Europe as a soloist with a chamber orchestra. In 2021, Ein achieved her LMusA Diploma with Distinction and won the AUSTAQ Concerto Competition. The following year, she won the 47th John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition and closed the Australian Music Examinations Board Awards Night with her performance.

In 2023, Ein won first prize at the Kendall National Violin Competition, receiving a concert violin from luthier Michal Prokop, and performed in the Young

George Li

Cello

At just 12 years old, George, a Year 7 student at Canterbury College, debuted as a concerto soloist with the Queensland Korean Orchestra at Brisbane City Hall, conducted by Sergei Korschmin. At the same age, he became the youngest member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra, where he continues to play.

George achieved his AMusA by age 10 and has won several awards, including 1st Prize at the 2021 AUSTAQ Concerto Competition (Intermediate Section). He plays cello in Trio Bellissimo and The IncrediBows string quartet. Both ensembles reached the Grand Finals of the 2022 Strike A Chord National Chamber Music Championship in Melbourne, and Trio Bellissimo was invited to perform in Hamburg and Amsterdam and participate in a masterclass with Louise Hopkins.

Virtuosi Concert during the 4MBS Festival of Classics and with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. Recently, she won the 2023 Young Instrumentalist Prize and was accepted early into the Heifetz International Music Institute Summer Program. Outside music, Ein enjoys Netflix, shopping, and beach outings.

This year, George joined the ACO Academy in Sydney and looks forward to an international tour with the Queensland Youth Symphony.

Haydn Li

Violin / viola

Haydn, a 15-year-old, has distinguished himself in the music community as a two-time Recitalist in the John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition and a two-time Finalist in the QSO Young Instrumentalist Prize. This year, he earned 2nd Prize in the AUSTAQ Concerto Competition. Haydn achieved his AMusA in both violin and viola in 2021, and his LMusA in viola in 2022. This March, he was invited to perform at the AMEB Diploma Awards Ceremony and received the AUSTA Strings Award. In 2022, he was the Concertmaster of QYO2, and this year, he became the youngest-ever Concertmaster of the Redland Sinfonia, performing solos on both violin and viola during their Finale concert. Haydn is also a member of QYS, playing violin.

Additionally, he is part of Trio Bellissimo and The IncrediBows string quartet, both

Eric Kim

Violin

Eric started playing the violin at age five and has since showcased his talents in numerous eisteddfods through solo and ensemble performances. He studies under Natsuko Yoshimoto and attends Anglican Church Grammar School on a full music scholarship. Additionally, Eric actively participates in the Queensland Youth Symphony and various UQ chamber music program ensembles. He recently attended the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp and is set to participate in the program again next year, including both the Summer and Winter seasons. Eric was a first Prize winner of the 2024 QSO Young Instrumentalist Prize.

of which reached the Grand Finals of the 2022 Strike A Chord National Chamber Music Championship in Melbourne, with Trio Bellissimo also receiving international invitations.

Haydn studies violin with Warwick Adeney and viola with Yoon Joo Jee. Apart from music, he is a committed athlete, having been named Age Champion in Athletics at Canterbury College in 2021 and 2023.

Holly Shelton Violin / viola

A dedicated creative arts student at Varsity College, Holly holds a full music scholarship and actively participates in a wide array of performing arts activities. She serves as a vocal soloist and percussionist, concertmaster in the chamber orchestra and is also involved in the string quartet, choir, visual arts and school musical. She has received the Cultural Pillar Award and the Most Outstanding Creative Arts Student award.

Holly has earned accolades such as the International Women’s Day Leadership in Performing Arts Award and the CGEN Excellence Award. She has achieved the AmusA qualification from AMEB and was selected as the Concertmaster for the MOST (Musically Outstanding Students) Symphony Orchestra, a prestigious extension program for Queensland state secondary schools. Additionally, she was the Violin Soloist for Creative Generation State Schools Onstage, Queensland’s largest performing arts event.

Beyond her school activities, Holly has participated in the QSO Prodigy Project, Deep Blue collaboration with HOTA, UQ Chamber Music Academy, and Australian Youth Orchestra national music programs. She has also held roles as Concertmaster in the Junior Symphony and as assistant Concertmaster and Principal Viola in the Gold Coast Youth Symphony.

Isabella Oxenbridge Piano

Isabella has cherished studying piano since she was four years old, with performing on stage as her favorite activity. She is an enthusiastic chamber musician, participating in numerous ensembles both as a pianist and violinist, and has toured nationally and internationally.

Her notable experiences include performing in the Strike a Chord national chamber music finals in Melbourne, playing in a trio in Hamburg, Germany, and appearing at the AMEB Awards ceremony. Recently, Isabella played Chopin for Piers Lane in a masterclass and performed as a guest artist at the Sydney International Piano Competition in July.

Panelo Hsieh Piano

Panelo, 15, has been passionately playing the piano since she was four and also plays the violin, participating in the Queensland Youth Orchestra. She has excelled in various piano competitions, including the Queensland Piano Competition and the Brisbane, Ipswich, Redlands, and Silkstone Eisteddfods. Her commitment to her craft earned her a Distinction in the Trinity College London Certificate of Performance in 2018. Remarkably, she received her AmusA qualification at the age of 10 in 2019 and her LmusA from the Australian Music Examinations Board in 2021.

Panelo has benefited from the guidance of Cathlyn Anika, Dr Vicky Yang, Mark Hooper, Mao Lee and Angela Turner. She is enrolled in the Senior Piano Program at the Young Conservatorium, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

Patrick

Phillips Cello

Patrick Phillips, aged 15, is currently in Year 9 at Brisbane State High School, where he gained admission through academic merit and currently holds the position of junior school captain.

He embarked on his cello journey at the age of 5 and has diligently studied the instrument for the past five years under the guidance of Patrick Murphy. Patrick’s musical achievements are remarkable; he earned his AMusA in 2020 at the age of 12 and attained his LMusA with Distinction in 2022 at the age of 14, earning him an invitation to perform at the AMEB Awards Ceremony in 2023.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Patrick has distinguished himself as a prize winner in various competitions. Most notably, he secured first prize in the advanced section of the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) Concerto Competition, received second prize in the young instrumental category, and was honored with the Most Promising String Player award at the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition. Furthermore, he claimed first prize in the open concerto category and was selected as a concerto soloist at the Redlands Eisteddfod. Patrick has also been invited to participate in several masterclasses, including those conducted by Prof Howard Penny at the Australian National Academy of Music.

Patrick’s musical journey extends to his role as a member of the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he has actively participated for the past three years. Furthermore, he has exciting plans to tour Singapore and Europe with QYS in late 2023 and has been selected to

join the National Music Camp (Australian Youth Orchestra) in 2024. He also was placed 3rd in the 2024 QSO Young Instrumentalist Prize.

In 2023, Patrick joined the UQ Chamber Music Academy as a cellist with the Timli Trio, where he is passionately exploring chamber music repertoire. Beyond his musical pursuits, he also enjoys reading, mathematics, and soccer.

Directors

Tim Li is an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Queensland and the Director of UQ Chamber Music Academy. He obtained his Master of Music degree with First Class Honours from the University of Waikato, majoring in Piano Performance and Chamber Music studying under Katherine Austin and James Tennant. Whilst in New Zealand, Tim and his wife Gloria ran an award-winning teaching practice where they trained a number of nationally notable young pianists.

After furthering his studies privately in Hannover, Germany with Professor Erika Lux, Tim relocated his family to Brisbane in 2012, where he has become a much sought-after collaborative pianist and instrumental coach. Additionally, Tim has taken a keen interest in driving Brisbane’s youth chamber music scene. He formed and coached amongst other groups, Amogus Trio, who took out 1st Prize in the 2021 Musica Viva’s Strike A Chord National Chamber Music Championship; and both The IncrediBows and Trio Bellissimo, who were two of the 12 national finalists that performed in Melbourne in the 2022 Grand Finals. Trio Bellissimo have also performed in the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, Germany, and were invited to perform in the “Klassiek op het Amstelveld” in Amsterdam.

Tim has been the Coordinator of Piano and Chamber Music at Canterbury College since 2015, where he spearheads a successful chamber music program.

Tim Li

Anna Grinberg

Dr Anna Grinberg is Piano Performance Fellow and Lecturer at the School of Music, University of Queensland. She has an international profile as a pianist, teacher, and academic, and collaborates widely with orchestras, composers and other performers.

Anna’s engagements have included solo and chamber music performances at prestigious venues in the United States, including Royce Hall in Los Angeles and New York’s Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and in Europe, Israel and China. She has performed as soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Paul Mellon Chamber Orchestra.

She performs as a member of the VineyGrinberg Duo, ensemble-in-residence at the University of Queensland, exploring both existing and new repertoire. Through the duo she has commissioned and premiered dozens of new works for piano duo from composers in Australia and the United States, with funding from sources such as the Australia Council for the Arts, and the Fromm Foundation, Harvard. This work has been featured on three compact disc releases by ABC Classics and Tall Poppies, and has been nominated for an Australian Music Centre/APRA Award for Excellence.

After completing postgraduate studies at Yale University (with Boris Berman) and SUNY Stony Brook (with Gil Kalish), Anna served on the piano faculties of Chapman University and California Institute of the Arts prior to her current position at the University of Queensland.

In 2020 Dr Grinberg released a recording on Naxos that consisted of commissioned new works for two pianos.

Patrick Murphy

Patrick Murphy is Cello Performance Fellow at The University of Queensland School of Music. In 2017 he was appointed cellist of the Tinalley String Quartet that has received critical acclaim for its recent releases of the quartets of Mendelssohn, Debussy and Ravel.

Patrick has performed extenstively throughout his career as a chamber musician. He was a founding member of the Tankstream Quartet who won first prize in the Melbourne National Chamber Music Competition (2000) and the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan (2001). The Tankstream also won the audience prize and came third place in the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition (2003).

Further study in quartet performance with the Alban Berg Quartet in Cologne, Walter Levin (LaSalle Quartet) and Milan Skampa (Smetana Quartet) preceded an invitation from the Australian Government to play at the reception of the Royal Wedding of Crown Prince Frederick and Mary Donaldson in Fredenborg Castle, Copenhagen. Patrick went on to cofound the Whitely trio (now Nexus Piano Quartet), join the Grainger Quartet and later, the Southern Cross Soloists.

Recent concerto performances include appearances with the Camerata, the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, The Metropolitan Orchestra (Sydney), and the UQ Symphony Orchestra.

Patrick has performed with the Australian World Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, premiering solo cello works by Australian composers Paul Dean and James Ledger. Alongside Adam Chalabi (violin)

and Professor Liam Viney (piano), he has recorded and released a chamber music CD by Paul Stanhope on ABC Classics.

Upcoming Concerts

Voices and Viols Evening of Early Chamber Music

6pm, 17 May • Art Museum

More info

Renewal

UQ Wind Symphony inaugural concert

7:30pm, 21 May • GHD Auditorium

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Prize Winner’s Concert 1

1pm, 23 May • Nickson Room

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The program features chamber works for choir, small vocal ensemble and strings, including William Byrd’s Mass for Three Voices and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s Jesu Rex Admirabilis.

Join us for an evening of music as the UQ Wind Symphony presents Renewal, our first concert for 2024. As part of the Artivism project led by The College of New Jersey, our program explores the theme of ‘Life After Loss’.

The UQ School of Music throughout the year promotes excellence in performance and composition by inviting students to participate in a range of competitions.

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ operates. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.