String Orchestras

Seven string orchestras cater to string players of of all ages and abilities with an incredible team of conductors and tutors guiding you through the week.

Whether you’re new to playing or a seasoned performer, you will be amazed at what you can achieve in a week at Summer School.

Build confidence, meet new friends, improve your playing, be challenged, learn great repertoire and create memories you will cherish for life.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll make friends, have fun, and take your first steps on a lifetime’s journey of musical exploration.

Intermediate string musicians will spend the week exploring new approaches to rehearsal and performance, while more advanced players will expand their knowledge of repertoire and develop their skills in tone, technique, dynamics and expression.

Senior string musicians will delve into the iconic string repertoire and further their experience in great orchestral playing and technique.

INSTRUMENTS: Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass

Suitable for students of all abilities, beginner to advanced.

To be considered for this stream in the 2025 MYO Summer School, please apply for the STRING ORCHESTRAS stream in your application.

Sarah Curro
Conductor
Australian violinist Sarah Curro graduated in 1994 from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, where she was awarded the Conservatorium Medal for Excellence. In 1997, she won the Dorcas McLean Traveling …
Australian violinist Sarah Curro graduated in 1994 from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, where she was awarded the Conservatorium Medal for Excellence. In 1997, she won the Dorcas McLean Traveling Scholarship for Violinists, which led her to study and later teach at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. From 1999 to 2002, she was a member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. In Australia, Sarah has performed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Queensland Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, and is currently a full-time member of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
In 2014, Sarah was granted a year of leave to explore the history of the violin through a Master of Music Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, graduating in December 2015. Her recital, “History of the Violin,” showcased eight historically significant violins and five bows, ranging from Baroque to electric, with music selections that highlighted the development of the violin over a 400-year period.
Sarah’s interest in education is inspired by her father, John Curro, the founder and music director of The Queensland Youth Orchestras. Her experience as a tutor, conductor, and occasional soloist includes work with students and musicians from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Australian Youth Orchestra (including National Music Camp, Chamber Camp, and Young Symphonists), Queensland Youth Orchestra, Melbourne Youth Orchestra (including MYM Summer School), Southern Cross Soloists Winter Music School, the Australasian Orchestra, Geelong Symphony Orchestra, Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra 21, and a yearly MSO music camp with students from Indonesia Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta. This project is now in its 8th year and is not only an exchange of musical ideas but an invaluable opportunity to learn from a truly wonderful and multicultural society.
Beyond traditional violinist roles, Sarah’s non-traditional ventures focus on the discovery, purchase, and promotion of new, mostly local compositions across various art forms, particularly music. Through the unique instruments of Melbourne’s SPUR Violins, her solo series VOLUME (which features 40 commissions) showcases these works in modern venues to an ever-widening audience. Her COVID project—a publication of these pieces, titled The VOLUME Collection—aims to enable more adventurous violinists to explore the exciting sound worlds of contemporary music. Sarah hopes to continue her emotional and financial commitment to her arts community.

John Noble
Conductor
John is an inspiring violinist, mentor and education advocate. As a violinist in Orchestra Victoria, John works alongside Australia’s flagship arts companies – Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, and Victorian …
John is an inspiring violinist, mentor and education advocate. As a violinist in Orchestra Victoria, John works alongside Australia’s flagship arts companies – Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, and Victorian Opera. Established in 2003, John is a founding member of Orchestra Victoria’s “on the mOVe” education program and has been integral in the development and delivery of this inspiring orchestral training program.
In 2011 John developed his own exciting and innovative String Quartet Training Program. Itet offers inspirational mentor/performance opportunities to young string players across Victoria. String ensembles from Horsham, Hamilton, Shepparton, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Bendigo, Mildura, and Melbourne’s West receive regular monthly rehearsals with John & other gifted professional musicians. Through the support of local councils & donors, ensembles are offered valuable performance opportunities performing alongside their professional mentors at Civic and Community events. Each year, in December all ensembles travel to Melbourne to perform together in a celebration of Chamber Music at the iconic Melbourne Recital Centre. In 2018 Melbourne’s own Flinders Quartet became artistic patrons to his program.
In 2020, Itet was awarded First place Casio Prize in Musica Viva’s inaugural Strike A Chord chamber music competition. John teaches and prepares students for all levels of AMEB exams. His energy focuses on scholarship preparation for High School students, tertiary level development/performance skills and audition preparation for those pursuing a professional pathway. John is a pointillist/impressionist artist, an active gym junkie, marathon runner and holds a 3rd dan Black Belt in Karate.
Thousands of musicians across Australia have witnessed John’s talent, energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. Always innovative, John is passionate about string tuition and is looking forward to inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Photo credit – Belinda Strodder

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 and Pedagogy …
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 studying under violinist Prof. Helfried Fister.
Following his studies, Tim performed extensively with orchestras across Australia including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony, Orchestra Victoria, 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.
Tim is Head of Strings at Tintern Grammar where he conducts Symphonic and String Ensembles across all levels, he also conducts the Chamber Strings at Eltham High School. Tim is an occasional ensemble director and tutor at Melbourne Youth Orchestras, and regularly conducts events, including the AUSTA Victoria String Orchestra Festival.

Alexandra Hiew
Conductor
Alexandra Hiew graduated from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (US) where she studied violin with Kurt Sassmannshaus and Won Bin Yim, and chamber music with members of the …
Alexandra Hiew graduated from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (US) where she studied violin with Kurt Sassmannshaus and Won Bin Yim, and chamber music with members of the La Salle and Tokyo String Quartets. An experienced educator, she is passionate about developing holistic and evidence-based approaches in violin pedagogy informed by neuromusical and acoustical research explored in her doctoral studies. Alexandra has worked extensively as a conductor and tutor in chamber music and string ensemble programs throughout the US and Australia, and has adjudicated and presented at various competitions and academic conferences. Alexandra is currently Head of Strings at Trinity Grammar Kew.

Tom Pepprell
Conductor
As an alumnus of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra program, Thomas has had a lifetime of engagement with ensemble music. Thomas has an extensive background in performance, having performed as both …
As an alumnus of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra program, Thomas has had a lifetime of engagement with ensemble music. Thomas has an extensive background in performance, having performed as both as soloist and ensemble member across stages in Australia, New Zealand, China and the US.
Thomas completed his Honours in Music Performance at The University of Melbourne. He has studied under the mentorship of Violinists Shanthi Charrett, Roy Theaker and Sarah Curro, all of whom he met through his time as a member of the ensemble program at MYO, and each have had pivotal roles in shaping Thomas’ musical journey. Thomas currently works as a string teacher at Haileybury where he teaches across both the instrumental and ensemble programs in the Junior, Middle and Senior schools.
Thomas’ current interests lie in music education and in providing the wider community with access to music, working on projects with the Langley Estate in Bendigo to establish a concert series and a music school, as well as the ongoing orchestral and chamber concert series delivered by the Peninsula Chamber Musicians down on the Mornington Peninsula.

Oscar Woinarski
Conductor
Oscar is a multifaceted music teacher at Caulfield Grammar School and Our Lady of Sion College, where he leads string and chamber ensembles, oversees the year 7 string program, and …
Oscar is a multifaceted music teacher at Caulfield Grammar School and Our Lady of Sion College, where he leads string and chamber ensembles, oversees the year 7 string program, and offers private and group tuition. In 2023, he toured Europe, conducting the CGS Kreisler Strings at the prestigious Summa Cum Laude Youth Festival in Vienna and the International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava. He was also fortunate to recently conduct Scott String Ensemble at the 2024 State Music Camp.
Having earned his Bachelor’s (Degree with Honours) and Master of Music degree from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in 2019, Oscar honed his skills under the mentorship of Alvin Wong and Edith Salzmann and was fortunate to perform in masterclasses hosted by internationally renowned cellists such as Li-Wei Qin, Peter Wispelwey, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Ramon Jaffé, and Brant Taylor.
Driven by his passion for chamber music, Oscar has performed in America, South Korea, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, participating in prestigious events like the MIMIR chamber music festival in Texas and tutoring at the International Akaroa Music Festival, enriching his teaching through the diverse experiences.
Beyond his teaching roles, Oscar thrives as a freelance cellist, frequently performing in Candlelight concerts and weddings across Melbourne. During his time off he enjoys exercising outdoors, trying new foods, and unwinding with a good board game.

Shanthi Charrett
Conductor
Shanthi Charrett has devoted over 30 years to her career as a string teacher and performing musician. Since 2020, she has been teaching at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar Schoolworking with …
Shanthi Charrett has devoted over 30 years to her career as a string teacher and performing musician. Since 2020, she has been teaching at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar Schoolworking with students from Years 2-12 and conducting the Middle School String Orchestra. Prior to this, Shanthi was the Head of Strings at Haileybury for 13 years, where she coordinated the String Program across five Melbourne campuses. Her role included directing VCE Group Performance ensembles and conducting numerous large ensembles from Junior, Middle and Senior School, including the Symphony Orchestra and Senior String Orchestra. In 2018, Shanthi successfully led Haileybury’s inaugural European Music Tour, leading a string orchestra and choir to perform at the Summa Cum Laude Music Festival in Vienna and surrounding areas.
Shanthi’s earlier roles include coordinating the String Program at Fintona Girls’ School and serving as Head of Strings at both Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School – Morris Hall and Geelong Grammar School – Glamorgan. She is regularly invited to direct string orchestra workshops, assess students and provide professional development in schools across Melbourne. Additionally, Shanthi has conducted ensembles in the MYO Ensemble Program and at various music camps, including MYO Summer Schools, State Music Camps, and Geelong Summer Music Camp.
Shanthi holds a double degree in Arts and Music from the University of Melbourne, with majors in Art History and Performance. She also earned a Master of Teaching (Primary) from Swinburne University, a Master of Inclusive Education from Monash University and is an alumna of the Australian National Academy of Music.