When: Sunday March 16: 11.30am to 5.30pm

Where: Richard Gill Auditorium, WAAPA

• Three exceptional masterclasses for violinists/violist of all playing levels
• Instructive, supportive feedback for students, parents and teachers
• Q and A with Brian for each session
• ** Free audience ticket for financial AUSTA members! (one ticket per session)
• *** Participants save $10 with early bird until 2nd March
• 11.30am to 1:00pm: Beginner to Grade 3 (Eight 10 min participant places)
• 1.30pm to 3:00pm: Grade 4 to Grade 7 (Five 15 min participant places)
• 3.30pm to 5.30pm: Grade 8+ (Five 20 min participant places)

Three exceptional masterclasses for violin/violists of all playing levels. Participants are invited to perform an excerpt or short work to receive constructive feedback from State Corinthian Conservatorium’s former Head of Strings Violinist, Violist Brian Finlayson. Brian will impart his wealth of teaching experience to students, teachers and audience alike. Each session will include a ‘Q and A’, with opportunity to ask further questions about violin/viola playing and teaching.

For more about Brian, click here to see his CV.

To join or renew your AUSTA membership, please click here.

Masterclass details and bookings here:https://www.trybooking.com/CYESN

Presented in collaboration with AUSTA WA, join celebrated artists and educators Shaun Lee-Chen, Suzie Wijsman and a host of string specialists for a fun day of performance, perfect for violin, viola and cello students from Grade 3 and up.

Book here   AUSTA Members can register as an observer for FREE!

Visit our website HERE to access your exclusive AUSTA Member code.

• Catering to a range of ages and skill levels.

Highlights of the day include: violin, viola, and cello masterclasses, technique workshops, a fun try-the-viola session, ensemble playing, teaching beginners, an introduction to Historically Informed Performance, instrument biomechanics, and more!

The day will culminate in a concert featuring all participants, followed by a BBQ—an opportunity to network, chat, and celebrate the day!

We have an exceptional line up of artists and presenters including:

• Shaun Lee-Chen (Violin) – UWA/Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
• Suzie Wijsman (Cello) – UWA
• Sophie Curtis (Cello) – WAYACHAMP/AMEB
• Laura Carr (Violin) – Stringosaurus
• Daemon Clarke (Violin)
• Kathy Potter (Viola)
• Stephanie Fraser (Cello) – AUSTA
• Marlene Romeo (Violin) – AUSTA/AMEB
• Louise Sandercock (Violin) – AUSTA

With more announced soon!

This event will help you refine your technique, explore new ideas, and play alongside fellow musicians in a welcoming and supportive environment.

There will be 3 streams on the day:

• EMERGING – AMEB Grade 3-5 (or equivalent)
• INTERMEDIATE – AMEB Grade 5-7 (or equivalent)
• ADVANCED – AMEB Grade 8+ (or equivalent)

PARENTS, TEACHERS and STRING ENTHUSIASTS are also welcome to attend!

Tickets are just $10 for Participants and $5 for Observers (includes BBQ)

AUSTA Members can register as an observer for FREE!

REGISTER NOW

Sunday 15 June 2025

Led by Associate Principal Double Bass of WASO and passionate educator John Keene – Double Bass students and players of all ages and abilities are invited to join us for a fun and informative day of workshops, masterclasses and performance.

Saturday 14 June 1:00 – 5:00pm
Callaway Music Auditorium, UWA

TICKETS
$10 Participants
$5 Observers
All tickets include a BBQ
Concert: free

Find out more

A fun session of chamber music. Come alone or bring a few friends and we’ll organise the rest.

Whether you’ve never played chamber music before or you already have an established group, this workshop caters to all string players wanting to improve their chamber music skills.

​WAYACHAMP’s unique WAYAJAM model sees students of all levels and abilities working on their chamber music skills. Students of similar levels are formed into trios and quartets and work on:

• technical developments in tuning, rhythm, pulse, blend and balance

• musical developments in expression, style and interpretation

• personal developments including teamwork, active listening and confidence

​​The session culminates in a casual performance for participants’ families to celebrate what we have learnt.

WAYAJAM events involve sight-reading. Music is provided from the simplest level so that everyone can participate. If you’re up for a challenge, we have something for you too!​

​Open to Violin, viola, cello students who have been learning their instrument for at least one year. Ages 9 – 17

​Schedule

Introduction and group allocation

Rehearsal Session 1

Break

Rehearsal Session 2

Full rehearsal

Casual performance 

Cost $58 per student

https://www.wayachamp.com/wayajam

• Saturday 5 July
• Doors open: 5:30pm
• ️Q&A with Brian: 6:00pm
• Social time from: 7:00pm

RSVP here

AUSTA WA is pleased to present masterclasses for viola with Daniel Schmidt, who has been principal viola of WASO since 2019. His full biography is below.  This should be a great event for students and teachers, with a shorter playing opportunity in both sessions towards the end of the sessions and audience or audience plus ensemble playing will be free for current AUSTA members. To check or to renew your membership, log on here:
https://www.austa.asn.au

The morning masterclass features works by Faure, Kreisler, Hoffmeister, Casadesus/J.C Bach and Stamitz, followed by ensemble reading session. The afternoon masterclass features works by Giardini, Sitt, Hopkins, J.S. Bach and Reger, also followed by ensemble reading session. As solo performer places are full, please email organiser Helen Tuckey helenvla@bigpond.net.au to go on the waiting list, or for further enquiries. After the master class section has ended, violists of all levels who register as “Plus” can play in the multi-level ensemble reading session, so please bring your viola. Ensemble works for the reading sessions will include a range of music from Handel’s Queen of Sheba and Bach Chorales to Chinese folk songs, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Grandfather’s Clock, and less familiar works with a range of reading abilities catered for.

If you are staying for both sessions, please BYO refreshments. AUSTA WA accepts no responsibility for supervision of participants.

A PD certificate for teachers will be available after the event by email. Please send a request to helenvla@bigpond.net.au stating your full name. Video recordings may be made only with permission of the performer and their family.

About Daniel:

Daniel has been a member of Bayerische Staatsoper Orchestra in Munich and held principal positions with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic and the Royal Opera Orchestra “La Monnaie” in Brussels under the baton of Philippe Herreweghe and Antonio Pappano. He has also appeared as guest principal with the Munich Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestre des Champs Élysées Paris and the Opera Australia Orchestra.
Born in Germany, Daniel began his music studies with violin and piano. He studied viola with Bruno Giuranna at the University of the Arts in Berlin, completing his Master’s Degree. His intensive study of chamber music includes lessons with Franco Gulli and Joseph Silverstein.
He was the violist in the Lenos String Quartet, which won the National German Music Competition. He has performed with Lenos throughout Europe and performances have been broadcast on SR Kultur, NDR2 (Germany) and Radio DRS (Switzerland).
As a chamber musician he has performed at numerous festivals in Europe, the UK, South Korea and Japan. In Australia he has appeared at the Melbourne Recital Centre, performing Schumann’s Piano Quintet with Emanuel Ax, Wilma Smith, Dale Barltrop and David Berlin.
Daniel Schmitt plays a viola made in 1964 by Otto A. Erdesz in Toronto, Canada.

Book here

Hear Daniel:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2554062924910554