Margaret graduated from the Conservatorium of Music in 1990 with a Graduate Diploma in Music. She has gone onto become widely regarded as one of Australia’s premier violinists and is currently the Associate Concertmaster of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
“I started playing the violin when I was 7 years old, because my sister didn’t take any interest in the violin that my mum had bought for her.
“I began with lessons with Alita Larsens in Adelaide, before learning from Beryl Kimber at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and then commencing postgraduate studies at the University of Tasmania.
“At the Conservatorium of Music, I had the honour of studying under Dr Jan Sedivka and I enjoyed my time here so much that I accepted a position to as a string tutor and chamber musician.”
Margaret has performed as soloist with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and Adelaide Chamber Orchestra. As well as a Guest Concertmaster with the Macau Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Co-Concertmaster for the critically acclaimed performances of Wagner’s Ring Cycle conducted by Asher Fisch for the State Opera of South Australia.
She has also performed for Musica Viva, ABC Classic FM, Blackwood River Festival, Adelaide Festival of Arts and Barossa Music Festival, and was a finalist in the Young Performers Awards with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
“One of my career highlights was performing with the critically-acclaimed violin superstar, Nigel Kennedy, as co-soloist in a Vivaldi Double Concerto in 2006.
“My other passion is teaching, I think it’s really important to spend time developing the next generation of musicians in Australia and overseas. I want to empower our young musicians to achieve their full potential.
“I also have the privilege of playing a 1710 violin by Gioffredo Cappa, made available to me by Janet Holmes á Court, AC.”