LYREBIRD TRIO
The Lyrebird Trio is comprised of Australian musicians Glenn Christensen (violin), Simon Cobcroft (cello) and Angela Turner (piano), all distinguished graduates of the Queensland Conservatorium. Formed in early 2013, the trio takes their name after the remarkable Australian native lyrebird, also an important emblem of their alma mater for much of its history.
In July 2013, Lyrebird Trio won all piano trio prizes at the quadrennial Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition: the Beluera Prize for best piano trio, and the Peter Druce Audience Prize. Subsequently, they featured in the ABC International documentary “Ivory, Strings and Bows”, broadcast in over 40 countries across Asia, North America, the Pacific and Indian subcontinent. As Winter Musicians-in-Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada, they gave numerous performances across the region in January/February 2014. The trio made a welcome return to Banff in January/February 2015, recording their debut CD for the Master Performers label.
During 2014-2016, Lyrebird Trio were Ensemble-In-Residence at the Queensland Conservatorium. In addition to their core season, other recent appearances have included engagements at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Sydney Opera House, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival (Victoria), Tyalgum Festival (NSW), Ngeringa/Ukaria Cultural Centre (South Australia), Musica Viva QLD, 4MBS Festival of Classics, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with The Metropolitan Orchestra (Sydney), and recordings and broadcasts for ABC-Classic FM, and the MBS networks.
Outside of the trio, Glenn Christensen is a member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra; Simon Cobcroft is Principal Cello with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and Angela Turner is a lecturer at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.
The Lyrebird Trio is comprised of Australian musicians Glenn Christensen (violin), Simon Cobcroft (cello) and Angela Turner (piano), all distinguished graduates of the Queensland Conservatorium. Formed in early 2013, the trio takes their name after the remarkable Australian native lyrebird, also an important emblem of their alma mater for much of its history.
In July 2013, Lyrebird Trio won all piano trio prizes at the quadrennial Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition: the Beluera Prize for best piano trio, and the Peter Druce Audience Prize. Subsequently, they featured in the ABC International documentary “Ivory, Strings and Bows”, broadcast in over 40 countries across Asia, North America, the Pacific and Indian subcontinent. As Winter Musicians-in-Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada, they gave numerous performances across the region in January/February 2014. The trio made a welcome return to Banff in January/February 2015, recording their debut CD for the Master Performers label.
During 2014-2016, Lyrebird Trio were Ensemble-In-Residence at the Queensland Conservatorium. In addition to their core season, other recent appearances have included engagements at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Sydney Opera House, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival (Victoria), Tyalgum Festival (NSW), Ngeringa/Ukaria Cultural Centre (South Australia), Musica Viva QLD, 4MBS Festival of Classics, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with The Metropolitan Orchestra (Sydney), and recordings and broadcasts for ABC-Classic FM, and the MBS networks.
Outside of the trio, Glenn Christensen is a member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra; Simon Cobcroft is Principal Cello with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and Angela Turner is a lecturer at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.
DEAN NEWCOMB
Dean Newcomb is currently the Principal Clarinettist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2008. Dean has performed as guest Principal Clarinet with various orchestras in Australia and overseas including the Australian World Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and was offered the Principal Clarinet position with The Macau Orchestra before deciding to settle in Adelaide.
His solo concerto performances have been met with critical acclaim, with reviewers praising his “musical gifts, technical finesse and outstanding ability” (The Advertiser).
Dean regularly performs as a recital and chamber musician with Australia’s leading ensembles including the Australian String Quartet, The Australia Ensemble, Southern Cross Soloists, the Hamer String Quartet for the opening of the Melbourne Recital Centre and the world premiere of Arthur Benjamin’s century-old Clarinet Quintet with the Goldner String Quartet.
His active involvement in music education includes giving masterclasses, lecturing and tutoring at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, tutoring for the Australian Youth Orchestra’s orchestral and chamber music seasons and adjudicating at the Lisbon International Clarinet Competition in Portugal.
Dean Newcomb is a D’Addario Woodwinds artist.
MEREWYN BRAMBLE
Merewyn began playing both violin and viola when she was little and was taught by her mother. In 2005 she completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Performance under the tutelage of William Hennessy and in 2007, a Master of Music Performance mentored by Caroline Henbest. During her course at the University of Melbourne she was awarded the Peg Oldfield Prize and the H.A. Owen Award for performance excellence.
Merewyn is Principal Viola of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and holds casual positions with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as guest Principal Viola of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
To quench her constant thirst for chamber music, Merewyn plays in the Australian Octet within its own series and in festivals far and wide. Merewyn is a current member of Quartz, a quartet with a big Victorian presence and which performs as part of a series at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Violist with the Patronus Quartet, Merewyn competed in the 2015 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and as a former member of the Tailem Quartet she was a finalist in the 3rd Australian Chamber Music Competition and performed in the 2008 ARD Chamber Music Competition in Munich. The Tailem quartet also completed residencies at the Banff Centre, Canada, and at Yale University’s Norfolk Summer Chamber Music Festival. 2007 introduced Merewyn to the Australian Chamber Orchestra when she was accepted as an Emerging Artist.
As an educator, Merewyn strives to share the light with young musicians through orchestral programs and at schools and universities. On a national level she has tutored viola sections of the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Away from the music stand, nothing beats writing for children, running long distances and the fever of tap dancing.
Merewyn began playing both violin and viola when she was little and was taught by her mother. In 2005 she completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Performance under the tutelage of William Hennessy and in 2007, a Master of Music Performance mentored by Caroline Henbest. During her course at the University of Melbourne she was awarded the Peg Oldfield Prize and the H.A. Owen Award for performance excellence.
Merewyn is Principal Viola of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and holds casual positions with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as guest Principal Viola of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
To quench her constant thirst for chamber music, Merewyn plays in the Australian Octet within its own series and in festivals far and wide. Merewyn is a current member of Quartz, a quartet with a big Victorian presence and which performs as part of a series at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Violist with the Patronus Quartet, Merewyn competed in the 2015 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and as a former member of the Tailem Quartet she was a finalist in the 3rd Australian Chamber Music Competition and performed in the 2008 ARD Chamber Music Competition in Munich. The Tailem quartet also completed residencies at the Banff Centre, Canada, and at Yale University’s Norfolk Summer Chamber Music Festival. 2007 introduced Merewyn to the Australian Chamber Orchestra when she was accepted as an Emerging Artist.
As an educator, Merewyn strives to share the light with young musicians through orchestral programs and at schools and universities. On a national level she has tutored viola sections of the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Away from the music stand, nothing beats writing for children, running long distances and the fever of tap dancing.