Party: Jan and Beryl Sedivka
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Sedivka, Jan AM (b 1917) and Beryl (b 1928), musicians. Born in Czechoslovakia, Jan studied violin with Sevcik and Kocian. He taught and performed in England before coming to Tasmania in 1966. As Director of the Tasmanian Conservatorium 1972-82, he developed an unrivalled string school, attracting students worldwide and forging strong ties with Chinese conservatoriums. Jan established the Tasmanian Conservatorium Trio with his wife Beryl Sedivka and cellist Sela Trau, and the Petra Quartet for whom innumerable Australian works were written. He gained many awards, national and international. His students can be found in Australian and overseas orchestras, and his impact on music in Tasmania is profound.
Beryl Sedivka was born in England, educated in France and studied piano with Ciampi, Solomon and Reizenstein. Her career as a soloist, particularly with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, has resulted in performances of over thirty concertos. She is an outstanding chamber musician and an exemplary teacher. Since 1966, she has lectured in advanced piano at the Tasmanian Conservatorium, and her students have made successful careers in all aspects of piano performance and teaching.
Elinor Morrisby