Bonita Han-Williams

Double Bass

Bonita has been a permanent member of the Opera Australia Orchestra since 2016, as Tutti and a seasonal Acting Principal. She is a highly qualified professional double bassist and teacher.

Bonita holds degrees from prestigious performing arts institutions. She was awarded a full scholarship to complete her Master of Music (Performance) from Boston University, College of Fine Arts and was fortunate to study orchestral repertoire under renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra bassists Todd Seeber and Principal Ed Barker. Bonita received her Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the University of Melbourne, Victorian College of the Arts, under the tutelage of Sylvia Hosking (Assistant Principal, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra).

Bonita has enjoyed engagements as Guest Principal Bass with several esteemed orchestral ensembles, such as the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, and the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra. Her breadth of experience extends to engagements as Guest Principal Bass with prominent early music ensembles such as the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Pinchgut: Orchestra of the Antipodes, Australian Haydn Ensemble, and the Cantata Singers Orchestra (Boston).

Bonita has been fortunate to work with prominent orchestras within Australia and around the world, such as the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

With over ten years of teaching experience, Bonita runs her own private teaching studio as well as teaching at a prestigious private school in Sydney. She loves teaching students of all ages and levels, and feels passionate about music education. She has tutored at several music education programs such as Sydney Youth Orchestra, Kuringai Youth Orchestra, State Music Camp, and Melbourne Youth Orchestra.