String Orchestras Stream

The String Orchestras stream of Summer School 2020 offers a week of skills development and fun for string musicians of all ages and abilities across five string orchestras led by an incredible team of conductors.

Younger, less experienced string players will be given an ideal first ensemble experience that will build their confidence and introduce them to new, musically-minded friends.

Intermediate string musicians will spend the week focusing on technique, tone and ensemble skills, while improving their dynamics and expression.

More advanced string musicians will be challenged to further develop their technique, tone and ensemble skills.

APPLICANTS

STANDARD *AMEB Grade Prelim – 8+
AGE 7 – 10 years +
PROGRAM FEES: Full enrolment $640 or Sibling discount $610
INSTRUMENTS Violin, viola, cello, double bass
*NOTE: AMEB levels indicated are not a formal requirement, but are provided as a guide to the skills required.

Karen Kyriakou
Conductor
Karen Kyriakou holds a Bachelor of Music Education (Sec) and a Masters of Music Education. She works broadly in the area of music education, working with students from kindergarten to …
Karen Kyriakou holds a Bachelor of Music Education (Sec) and a Masters of Music Education. She works broadly in the area of music education, working with students from kindergarten to tertiary level. Karen has performed with Musica Viva’s ‘Live Performance Program’ as a violinist, and currently works with their ‘Equal Music’ program, teaching students with additional needs, including Deaf children and frequently writes and delivers educational concerts for Arts Organisations.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra engages Karen in their ‘Community Outreach’ and Education Programs, where she creates and presents the programs for MSO’s ‘Jams For Juniors’ and has provided Professional Development for the ‘Pizzicato Effect’ Teaching Artists. She delivers the Community Music program at ANAM (Australian National Academy of Music).
Karen frequently presents at PD’s and conferences in the areas of Music Education and Disability/Access and has written resources for the Victorian Opera, MSO and Musica Viva. She is often invited to work with teachers to develop creative approaches to both classroom music curriculum and string programs and has served on the AUSTA VIC committee for 14 years.
Karen was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2012 to support her studies in the area of Music and the Deaf. She travelled to the UK to investigate delivering authentic musical experiences to Deaf children in schools.
In 2018, Karen released her teachers manual ‘Strings Together’ which provides aural activities for string teachers who work in the group and ensemble setting. ‘Band Together’ is due for release late 2020.

Sarah Ellison
Conductor
Violinist Sarah Ellison graduated from the University of Western Australia completing a Bachelor of Music degree (Performance) with honours and a Master of Music Practitioner Studies. She also completed her …
Violinist Sarah Ellison graduated from the University of Western Australia completing a Bachelor of Music degree (Performance) with honours and a Master of Music Practitioner Studies. She also completed her Diploma of Education at the University of New England. She is a versatile musician possessing piano, violin and viola skills.
As a freelance musician, she has played for companies such as the Australian Opera Studio, Australian Ballet Orchestra, W.A. Ballet Company, W.A. Philharmonic Orchestra and Perth Pops Orchestra. Sarah has also been part of many recording projects for local and international artists.
Since coming to Melbourne, she has had the opportunity to play with the George Ellis Orchestra, Australian Discovery Orchestra, Pro-Musica Orchestra, Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra 21.
As a music educator, she has taught violin and coordinated string programs at Methodist Ladies College, Vasek School for Violin and Strings, Hale School and was Head of Strings at Perth College. Sarah has been the Co-ordinator of Suzuki Strings at Scotch College in Melbourne for six years.
Sarah has also been a casual tutor, conductor and auditioner for the Melbourne Youth Orchestra’s MYS (Melbourne Youth Strings), Conductor for the Melbourne Youth Orchestra 2020 Summer School, and Violin tutor for State Music Camp.

Tim Veldman
Conductor
Tim Veldman is a highly experienced violinist, violist and conductor with performing and teaching experience gained locally and in Europe. Tim trained in Austria, completing a double degree in Performance …
Tim Veldman is a highly experienced violinist, violist and conductor with performing and teaching experience gained locally and in Europe. Tim trained in Austria, completing a double degree in Performance and Pedagogy at the Carinthian Conservatory. He has played extensively with symphony orchestras across Australia including the Melbourne Symphony, Orchestra Victoria, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Tasmanian Symphony as well as appearing as a violinist and violist in chamber ensembles. In 2003 Tim was appointed fulltime First Violin with North Netherlands Orchestra, a position which he held for five years before deciding to return to Australia. Since then Tim has gained a reputation as a motivational teacher and ensemble director. Drawing on his extensive professional performing experience, Tim strives to facilitate performance experiences with young musicians which mirror the professional environment and lift the performing experience beyond the level of accomplishment of the individual. Tim co-ordinates the string program at Eltham High School and is Head of Strings at Tintern Grammar. He conducts many Symphonic and String Ensembles across all levels.

Bronwyn Oswell
Conductor
Bronwyn Oswell began studying the violin with Spiros Rantos at the University of Southern Queensland. For several years Bronwyn was an active member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra and Australian …
Bronwyn Oswell began studying the violin with Spiros Rantos at the University of Southern Queensland. For several years Bronwyn was an active member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra and has held these organisations in high regard for their respective influences on her musical development. She commenced her professional life as Head of Strings at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, where she later was appointed Coordinator of Instrumental Music.
Bronwyn continued her study of violin, viola, conducting and pedagogy at the Zoltan Koday Pedagogical Institute in Kecskemet, Hungary. After many years residing in Los Angeles, California both teaching violin and working in the film music industry, she returned to Australia to hold the position of Head of Strings at Downlands Sacred Heart College Toowoomba and later Head of Strings Wesley College (Glen Waverley Campus).
Since 2016 Bronwyn has been Coordinator of Strings at Melbourne Grammar School, Grimwade House, where she directs and conducts all levels of string and chamber music ensembles.

Aaron Yeoh
Conductor
Aaron Yeoh is a passionate music educator and conductor. He completed a Master of Music degree at the University of Tasmania as a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s String Scholarship. His …
Aaron Yeoh is a passionate music educator and conductor. He completed a Master of Music degree at the University of Tasmania as a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s String Scholarship. His love for music education spurred him to pursue a Graduate Diploma of Education through Monash University and then further intensive musical studies in Hungary at the Kodály Institute and the Franz Liszt Academy. With over a decade of varied teaching experience, Aaron has taught in government and independent schools across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, as well as in London, United Kingdom. He is regularly invited to tutor for Melbourne Youth Orchestras and State Music Camp Victoria. Aaron is an active chamber musician and performs regularly with the Azure Piano Trio.
Photograph Credit: Edwin Yeoh

2020 SUMMER SCHOOL

String Orchestras Stream

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Karen Kyriakou

Conductor

Sarah Ellison

Conductor

Tim Veldman

Conductor

Bronwyn Oswell

Conductor

Aaron Yeoh

Conductor