Louise King

Louise is an exciting example of an independent contemporary classical musician. A refined English cellist with extensive international experience and training, she is an inspiring concert artist, teacher, recording artist, adjudicator and event producer. As Artistic Director of Cello Dreaming she runs a busy private teaching studio, produces and presents community and professional concerts, workshops, collaborative performance projects, mentors emerging young musicians, and is Music Director for the Southern Cross Soloists Winter Music School and tutors for the Australian and Queensland Youth Orchestras. Louise King moved to Australia in 2003 after working extensively throughout the UK, Europe and Asia, and now works as a freelance musician performing with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Topology, The Queensland Orchestra, Southern Cross Soloists, Endeavour Trio, Tulipwood Quartet and Chamber Orchestra. Louise records and performs as session musician for singer songwriters such as Katie Noonan and international touring artists such as Il Divo and Josh Groban. She enjoys collaborating with composers, choreographers and artists to create new performance works for her instrument. www.cellodreaming.com.au

Therese Milanovic

Therese is a passionate performer, educator, and musicians’ health advocate. After a decade of playing-related injuries, studying the Taubman Approach (USA) enabled her to resume her chosen pathway to the fullest. Therese was the first Australian to become a Taubman Instructor (2009), the focus of her PhD, and is the most experienced Taubman teacher in Australia (Master Level and Associate Faculty with the Golandsky Institute USA). She is an advocate for musicians’ injury prevention and rehabilitation, providing access for curious interstate and international students through online learning since 2009, Coach on Demand consultations, alongside workshops, teacher training and lectures for music teachers’ groups and conferences. Therese has been a Keynote Speaker for numerous national conferences including APPCA and ANZCA. She is committed to her ongoing learning and artistic development through continued online study with Edna Golandsky and John Bloomfield. As a performer, Therese loves collaborating with like-minded musicians. She has performed with Topology since 2009, including shows in the Netherlands, NYC, Belgium, and Indonesia, national tours and festivals. Chamber music is also close to her heart, presenting events to highlight lesser-known repertoire, in particular new music and music by women. Otherwise, Therese plays turtles and garbage trucks with her small son and attempts (unsuccessfully) to sneak vegetables in his meals.  theresemilanovic.com

Christa Powell

Highly respected performance musician, collaborative artist and music educator, Christa is as comfortable lending her talents to an orchestra as she is in character wardrobe, playing on stage with Led Zeppelin or playing solo violin as an integral part of the choreography in Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre. Christa Powell is a uniquely talented woman whose technical skill and innate musicality is a major source of inspiration to those she teaches. Christa is a founding member and director of Topology, one of Australia’s leading creative arts organisations. As well as creating the award winning program Top Up, Christa has managed the day to day business of Topology over the past two decades, molding, shaping and refining the organisation into the respected arts organisation it is today. After completing B Mus Hons, Christa spent several years in London with Emmanuel Herwitz of the Melos Ensemble and playing with the Olyver Gypsy Ensemble. Returning to Brisbane, Christa obtained her Masters of Music in performance research in 1996 before co-founding Topology in 1997. Outside of Topology, Christa performs a wide range of chamber music, her long held passion. She plays with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, guests for visiting international acts and teaches violin privately and at various educational institutions. www.topologymusic.com