Wesley scholars on parade

WESLEY Music Centre plans to celebrate its finest young musicians tomorrow,  December 4,  when a group of Wesley Music Scholars will perform from 12.40 to 1.20pm as part of “Wednesday Lunchtime Live.”

The group is made up of Jessica Donohue (oboe), Ciaran Edwards-McKeown (guitar), Rowan Phemister (harp), Estelita Rae (violin), Alys Rayner (viola), Emma Rayner (cello) and Matthew Ventura (flute) and together they will play are Franz Schubert Guitar Quartet D06; Carl Nielsen “The Fog is Lifting” Op. 41 and Nino Rota Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Viola, Cello and Harp.

Donohue has been studying oboe with Megan Billing since 2006, and has been a scholar at the Wesley Music Centre since 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music (performance) and Bachelor of Arts (English/drama) from the ANU this year.

Edwards-McKeown is in his second year of a combined Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Science at ANU. He is now studying classical guitar performance with renowned guitar teacher Timothy Kain.

Phemister has been studying the harp with Alice Giles since he was nine years of age. He is principal harpist with the Canberra Youth Orchestra. At the 5th Australian Harp Festival 2012 he was awarded first place in the Under 18 section.

Rae is in her final year of a BMus/BVA at the ANU. Last year she toured Europe as first violinist of the Childers St Quartet, and also performed with them at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

Alys Rayner began learning the violin from Margaret Moore in Albury. Since moving to Canberra in 2008, and learning from the wonderful Barbara Jane Gilby she has been a part of  Canberra Youth Orchestra, Wesley Music Scholarship program and Trio Telopea.

Emma Rayner has received her AMusA diplomas on cello with distinction in 2011 and on piano in 2012. She toured Europe this year as part of the Australian Youth Orchestra, and currently leads the cello section in Canberra Youth Orchestra.

Ventura is currently studying a Bachelor of Music on Bassoon with Ric McIntyre at the ANU. He is also a finalist in this year’s Australian Flute Festival Young Artists Competition and a member of Canberra Youth Orchestra, ANU Chamber Orchestra, Canberra Wind Ensemble. He also established a Canberra-based wind quintet this year.

Wesley Music Scholars,  at Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, Wednesday, December 4, 12.40pm to 1.20pm. Paper note entry or concession $2. No bookings required.  

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