2018 TMO COMPOSER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM KEY PERSONNEL BIOS
a) THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA
Under the baton of Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, The Metropolitan Orchestra(TMO) is recognised as one of the country’s most versatile orchestras delivering accessible, first-class and vibrant concert experiences.
TMO’s annual season includes a variety of events tailored to different demographics from their highly acclaimed and regularly sold-out Met Concert series, to audience outreach programs, development programs for composers and performers, performances for young audiences and newly arrived refugees, interstate tours, free concerts and more.
The orchestra’s sparkling eight year history includes a star-studded array of special events including performances with Sumi Jo (Opera House), David Helfgott (City Recital Hall), Elaine Paige (State Theatre), John Farnham with Olivia Newton-John (Entertainment Centre and Tempus Two), James Morrison (The Concourse), Kate Ceberano (Opera House); special events such as BBC’s Blue Planet and Planet Earth in Concert (Opera House), Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Opera House and Entertainment Centre), Opera in the Vineyards (Wyndham Estate and Roche Estate), the National Rugby League Grand Final and sailing the South Pacific annually as resident orchestra aboard the Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts. Other renowned artists who have appeared with TMO include Jose Carreras, Kiri Te Kanawa, Anthony Warlow, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Antoinette Halloran, David Hobson, Marina Prior, Grigoryan Brothers, Cheryl Barker, Simon Tedeschi and more.
Boasting a rigorous work ethic and commitment to exceptional quality of performance, TMO has performed with many renowned artists in concert and/or on album recordings including Conductors Richard Gill, George Fenton, Brian Castles-Onion, Ben Foster and Guy Noble; Singers Yvonne Kenny, Elaine Paige, Anthony Warlow, Marina Prior, Cheryl Barker, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Antoinette Halloran, Emma Pask, David Hobson, Nicole Car, Rosario La Spina, Anna Leese, Belinda Montgomery, Alexander Knight, Daniel Bonic- Goodwin, Barry Ryan, Anke Höppner, Christopher Hillier, Teresa La Rocca, Stuart Maunder, Meredith O’Reilly, Richard Anderson, Sian Pendry, Samuel Dundas, Daniel Belle, David Hooley, Tommy Fleming, Suzanne Johnston, Judi Connelli, Mark Vincent and Renae Martin; Instrumentalists Simon Tedeschi, Claire Edwardes, Jane Rutter, the Grigoryan Brothers, Anthony Heinrichs, Bruce Mathiske, Shefali Pryor, Frank Celata, Emma-Jane Murphy, Patrick Murphy, Ambre Hammond, Kirsten Williams, Nicholas Russoniello, Anna Da Silva Chen, Bernard Walz, Lisa Stewart and the Lyrebird Trio; Actors Alex Kingston, Mark Williams and Tyran Parke; Vocal Ensembles Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Chamber Choir, Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, Figaro and members of Opera Australia and Children’s Entertainers Lah-Lah and Buzz.
An important focus in The Metropolitan Orchestra’s mission is to support Australian artists – orchestral players, composers and soloists. In 2016 TMO launched its inspiring Composer Development Program, unearthing new Australian composers and in 2017 is proud to launch their new TMO Young Artist Program.
TMO has commissioned, performed and recorded world premieres by a number of Australian composers including Sean O’Boyle, Mark Grandison, Daniel Rojas, Bruce Mathiske and Gavin Lockley. TMO has workshopped new works by Paul Stanhope, Stuart Greenbaum, Matthew Hindson and James Humberstone. b) SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS TMO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHIEF CONDUCTOR
Sarah-Grace Williams has been hailed by Limelight Magazine to be amongst ‘10 of the Best Women Conductors – trailblazing talents that are leading the way for women conductors all over the world’.
Throughout her highly impressive tenure as founding Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of TMO Sarah-Grace has been continually celebrated for her interpretation by the press: “In the hands of Williams this work became a tour de force of exceptional poise, eloquence and atmosphere” (Sydney Arts Guide)… “Williams succeeds in creating very pioneering and open soundscapes, creating an attractive new interpretative world” (Arts Hub)…"Outstanding conductor, Williams, is able to draw out the musicality in each player and weld them into a wonderful orchestra with a great sound” (Paul Nolan).
Boasting an interminable local and international conducting career, Sarah-Grace has conducted the Queensland, Adelaide, West Australian and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Bangalow Festival Chamber Orchestra, Australian Concert Orchestra, Queensland Music Festival, Southern Cross Soloists and Artists of Opera Australia amongst others. From 2007-2013 she also worked as Musical Director of Sydney Opera House Proms productions.
During 2009-2010 Sarah-Grace was Assistant Conductor for Symphony Australia, assisting various international conductors including Simone Young, Johannes Fritzsch, Eivind Aadland, Arvo Volmer and Paul Daniel. At the conclusion of this posting, she was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship, allowing her to continue her studies while working with renowned orchestras and conductors throughout Europe and the UK. In 2011, Sarah-Grace worked as Stager Conductor to Alexander Polishchuk at the Ukraine National Opera and Ballet Theatre before returning to Australia to take up a position as Conducting Fellow with the Australian Ballet, where she conducted the premiere of Tristan and Isolde. Following this, Sarah-Grace conducted the world premiere of Elena Kats-Chernin’s ballet Little Green Road to Fairyland for the opening of the Queensland Music Festival.
Over the past four years, Sarah-Grace has conducted more than 150 performances with immense diversity including a national tour with acclaimed pianist David Helfgott, numerous concerts with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, gala events with James Morrison, Katie Noonan and Kate Ceberano, the album recordings and world premiere performances of works by Australia composers Gavin Lockley, Daniel Rojas and Bruce Mathiske, appearing as Guest Resident Conductor at the Bangalow Music Festival and conducting all major concerts in TMO’s concert season.
Sarah-Grace received her Bachelor of Music with Distinction in 1996, followed by a First Class Honours in Conducting, before continuing conducting studies overseas with Alexander Polishchuk (Russia).
She has been awarded numerous prizes including the ‘2017 Western Sydney University Alumni Chancellors Leadership Award’, the highest honour the alumni awards bestows. In 2013 Sarah-Grace was recognised for her outstanding achievements and contribution to the community, being announced on the ‘International Women’s Day Honour Roll’. She has also been listed in the annual Who’s Who of Australian Women since 2011 and was listed by Limelight magazine as ‘one of the 50 top power players in the arts’ as well as ‘one of the top five Australian conductors to watch’. She has also been award a ‘Symphony Australia Podium Scholarship’ and the University of Western Sydney Prize for Academic Excellence and Prize for 1st place in Performance.
EDUCATION & FAMILY CONCERTS OPERATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE
General Manager Bevan Rigato A highly qualified General Manager with over 25 years of management experience in a range of organisations from start-ups to established businesses, Bevan has been a key factor in the continued development of TMO since 2010. Responsible for Partnership Development, Business and Operations Management and Marketing, Bevan has established many long-term relationships with a number of major partners including Leichhardt Council for venue and in-kind support and Cruiseco who have a multi-year financial and business support Presenting Partnership agreement with TMO. Bevan has also been instrumental in establishing the orchestra’s DGR and charitable status while sourcing funds from local and state government in support of the orchestra’s wide range of premium orchestral activities.
Financial Controller, Bernard Walz A highly decorated musician in his own right, winning seven national and international Instrumentalist of the Year awards and an ARIA No.1 charting album with his debut album, Piano Passion, Bernard has been the Financial Controller with TMO since 2010. He is an experienced accountant with 5 years of financial management experience prior to joining TMO.
Secretary Sarajane Hansen Co-Principal Bassoon with TMO since 2009, Sarajane is a senior executive in the NSW Public Service, holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Sydney and has significant experience in records management, governance and accurate documentation.
Operations Manager Sean Moloney The Operations and Orchestra Manager of the Australian Institute of Music Orchestra, Sean Moloney has completed his Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance), AMusA and Advanced Certificate from Trinity Guildhall. Sean currently has been in the role of Operations Manager with The Metropolitan Orchestra since 2015 and was the Composer Development Program, Composer Coordinator in 2016.
Chief Music Librarian , Svetlana Yaroslavskaya Principal Flute with TMO since 2009 and a full time flautist with the Australian Navy Band, Svetlana has worked as the Chief Librarian for TMO since 2010. She is responsible for all aspects of TMO’s growing library of music, along with the management of all library requirements for each performance. Must be no more
Schools Coordinator Renae Pinazza Lecturer in Music Education at Wollongong University and Head of Arts at Illawarra Grammar School, Renae has taught music across all levels covering Preparatory, Primary, Mandatory, Elective, Preliminary and HSC Music 1, 2 and HSC Music Extension course. Renae is commencing in the newly appointed role of Education & School Coordinator in June 2016, liaising directly with teachers to encourage student attendance and participation to all TMO education and young audiences programs, including the Composer Development Program.
In addition to this sub-committee, TMO will draw upon resources from their Executive Committee, TMO Advisory Panel, TMO Operation Sub-Committee and Friends of TMO (Volunteers) as required.
Executive Committee: Bevan Rigato (General Manager), Sarah-Grace Williams (Artistic Director), Bernard Walz (Financial Controller), Sean Moloney (Operations Manager) Sarajane Kirkaldy-Hansen (Secretary), Svetlana Yaroslavskaya (Chief Music Librarian)
Operations Sub-Committee: Andrew Doyle, Alisha Coward, Murray Parker, Laura Piplica, Nataliya Lukich, Mark Szeto, Kate MacDonald
TMO Advisory Panel: Trevor Solomons (National senior Manager, Woolworths) Steve Lloyd (CEO, CruiseCo) Joseph Malouf (CEO, Joseph Malouf and Associates) Mark Gardiner (CEO, Teddington Legal)
MUSICIANS
First Violin: Dominique Guerbois#, Nataliya Lukich* Anthea Hetherington, Angela Cassar, Sarah Anthony, Kathryn Crossing, Nan Heo, Caroline Kelly, Peter Krajniak, Emlyn Lewis-Jones, Jackie McCaughan, Christina Mills Second Violin: Lindsay Irik*, Lidia Bara, Catrina Hughes, Sagar Nagaraj, Elisabetta Sonego, Mar’yana Sywak, Denisa Smeu-Kirileanu, Ela Stopa-Zbikowska, Renae Pinazza, Jane Stanley Viola: Irina Andreeva*, Georina Price, Robyn Botha, Elizabeth D’Olier, Darius Kaperonis, Laura Piplica, Kathryn Ramsay, Viktoria Vukovich Cello: Ezmi Pepper*, John Benz*, Steve Meyer*, Caroline Hobbs^, Julienne Guerbois, Emily Palethorpe Bass: Jeremy Fox*, Mark Szeto*, Jessica Holmes, Nicole Murray-Prior Flute: Svetlan Yaroslavskaya, Jacinta Mikus, Vanessa Couper Oboe: Matthew Bubb* Rie Tamaru*, Alex Fontaina Clarinet: Andrew Doyle*, Alisha Coward, Evay Guy Bassoon: Tony Grimm*, Sarajane Hansen* Horn: Michael Wray*, Julia Zeltzer*, Adrian Hallam, Tina Brain, Neil O’Donnell Trumpet: Jenna Smith*, Brody Linke Trombone: Jacob Shaw*, Mark Brown, Darcy Shevlin Tuba: Scott Frankcombe* Timpani: Murray Parker* Percussion: Tim Brigden
#Concert Master *Principal Player ^Associate Principal