Mark holds the position of Associate Principal Violin with the Opera Australia Orchetsra. Mark began violin lessons at the age of eight, and by the age of fourteen Mark joined the National Youth Orchestra performing as a tutti violinist, soloist and conductor. He studied violin with John Harding, concertmaster with the Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra (now the Opera … Continued

Greg van der Struik holds the position of Principal Trombone and Section Leader in the Opera Australia Orchestra. Greg received his first big break in 1984 when he received the opportunity to perform with Opera Australia. In addition to the trombone, Greg also plays the piano, the piano accordian and the bass trumpet amongst others. In … Continued

Trent is honoured to be the Assistant Director on this landmark production of La Bohème and to be once again working for Opera Australia. Last year Trent worked as the Assistant Director on Opera Australia’s 2017 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of Carmen. He has also worked for Opera Australia on Graeme Murphy’s production of Turandot and Elijah Moshinsky’s production of La Traviata. Trent has worked … Continued

Eszter Mikes-Liu holds the position of Associate Principal Cello in the Opera Australia Orchestra.  

Michael has worked in the field of marketing, media and creative industries for over 25 years. He has worked as a journalist as well as a film and TV distributor with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation; as an independent writer, producer and director of award winning screen and theatrical content; and as a marketing, communications and … Continued

Elizabeth Pring holds the position of Principal Flute in the Opera Australia Orchestra, having first joined the Orchestra in 1987. Elizabeth started her musical studies at the age of ten and under the tutelage of Thomas Pinschof and Wolfgang Schultz went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts (Music) and Diploma of Music at Victorian … Continued

Yu-Qing Rebecca Irwin holds the position of Tutti Violin in the Opera Australia Orchestra having first joined the Orchestra in 1988, shortly after moving to Australia the year before. Rebecca started her musical studies at the age of six, and under the tutelage of Zhang Guo Zhu and Charmian Gadd went on to complete a … Continued

Teije Hylkema holds the position of Principal Cello and Section Leader in the Opera Australia Orchestra. Teije first joined the Orchestra in 2014 after moving from Holland. He started his musical studies at the age of nine, and under the tutelage of Dmitri Ferschtman went on to complete a Masters of Music at the Conservatorium of … Continued

Virginia Comerford holds the position of Principal Viola and Section Leader in the Opera Australia Orchestra, having first joined the Orchestra in 1989. She began her musical studies at age six, pursuing the viola from age fourteen under the tutelage of Janet Davies and Peter Pfhul. At the age of nineteen she was appointed Associate Principal Viola with … Continued

John Tomlinson was born in Lancashire. He gained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Manchester University before winning a scholarship to the Royal Manchester College of Music. He was awarded a C.B.E. in 1997 and knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2005. He was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for … Continued