Percussion
Joyce To is a percussionist based in Brisbane, Australia, whose creative practices involve chamber, improvisational and experimental. Her curiosity is reflected in her curation of chamber and solo concert projects. She is passionate about performing new works and supporting emerging Australian creatives, known for actively commissioning, collaborating, and recording with local composers, filmmakers and writers.
In 2019, Joyce co-founded Concept Ensemble, a Brisbane-based contemporary-experimental chamber ensemble. Concept Ensemble has since received Audience Choice at the Queensland International Chamber Music Competition 2019 and have been at the forefront of the Brisbane new music scene with their collaborative call-for-scores project. In their first year alone, the ensemble will have performed 20 world premieres and 10 Australian premieres.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Joyce has performed and worked with a range of local and international artists including; Steve Schick, Tim Munro, Jan Williams, Terry Longshore, Nicholas Photinos, Clocked Out, and with members of the Bang on a Can All Stars. In her most recent project, Fukushima – In Search of New Light, Joyce engaged in discussion panels and performances across Fukushima, Japan with poet, Wago Ryuichi and eurythmist, Jan Baker-Finch. The trio captured audiences at the Iwaki Art Museum, Iitate Wolf Shrine and various community locations. The project drew on reaching new perspectives with the local community in the cross of music, politics and the environment.
Joyce holds a Bachelor of Music in performance from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, having majored in percussion under the direction of Dr. Vanessa Tomlinson. With generous support of the University of Toronto Fellowship, Joyce is currently completing her Masters in Performance at the University of Toronto, under the tutelage of Dr. Aiyun Huang and Beverley Johnston.
Reeds
Jack Lundie-Jenkins is a creative professional based in Brisbane, Australia. Jack has established himself as a performer and composer, playing and writing for a wide variety of groups and ensembles over the years, locally and internationally. His music has been showcased at events including the Melbourne International Saxophone Festival, the Queensland International Chamber Music Competition, and the opening concert of Ensemble Q.
Jack also serves as a creative director and reed specialist for the newly formed ‘Concept’. A contemporary-experimental chamber ensemble, committed to the performance and exploration of new music within Australia and across the globe. The Queensland International Chamber Music Competition described the ensemble as “lively and engaging, passionate and exactly what modern chamber music is and should be about.” As a part of their first major project Concept has received over 70 new and underperformed works from 19 countries across the world.
As a Bachelor of Music graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium, Jack has had the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders, former ANAM director Paul Dean and the widely commissioned and sort after Gerard Brophy. 2019 sees the inclusion of Jack’s work ‘Empty Houses’ in Ensemble Q’s major concert series; a work commissioned last year for clarinet and mixed percussion, described as “rhythmically virtuosic and visually appealing”.
As a composer Jack has established his own voice, drawing commissions from a wide range of performers and instrumentations. Many of Jack’s works are based on “the human experience”, dealing with raw and relatable emotions and stories. Check out jacklundie.net and conceptensemble.com
Piano
Crystal Smith is currently a Masters of Music Research student at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, investigating how a musician can learn from the study of acting. Crystal also studies piano performance with Natasha Vlassenko, renowned Russian pedagogue and concert pianist.
Crystal performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician in various settings. Highlights of Crystal’s solo career include being performing Carl Vine’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and being named a finalist in the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition in 2018, as well as being selected for the Australian Piano Showcase for the 2016 Sydney Piano Competition. Crystal has also won a number of awards and competitions, including the Owen Fletcher Postgraduate Award and Queensland Piano Competition. As a chamber musician, Crystal is resident pianist with Concept Ensemble, a Brisbane-based group dedicated to the performance and exploration of new music within Australian and global settings. She also performs regularly with various instrumentalists and singers, and recently toured to China as part of a guzheng/piano duo.
As an academic, Crystal received her Bachelor of Music Honours (First Class) and University Medal in 2018, as well as the Conservatorium Medal in 2017.
Bass
Watch Elias Kokkoris play and it’s not long before you realise that he is not just another classical double bassist. Described as easy going by his peers, those who have watched him play often comment that they are mesmerised by his performances, as he seemingly becomes one with his instrument. Elias took an interest in the double bass at an early age and his parents and school teacher’s soon recognised his gift for music. He was awarded a music scholarship to attend Emmanuel College and achieved his Bachelor of Music, majoring in Classical Double Bass at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU), most recently and with the support of the Australian Arts Council, Elias spent three months in late 2018 studying under the tutelage of Francois Rabbath in Paris, France.
Cello
Eugenie Puskarz Thomas is a young emerging cellist from Brisbane, Australia. She made her solo orchestral debut at 17 with the Second Queensland Youth Symphony and is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University under the tutelage of Meta Weiss. She counts among her mentors Kejia Wang, Patrick Murphy, Teije Hylkema and Shannon Tobin. Eugenie has been a member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra’s Organisation for over seven years and during that time has held four principle positions. Highlights of Eugenie’s career include performances in locations such as Parliament House, touring with Tina Arena and James Morrison as well as performing with Opera Australia in their 2017 production of Aida on the Gold Coast under the baton of Tahu Matheson.
Guitar
Matthew Teakle (19) began playing guitar at age 13, having played cello for six years prior. He warmed to the instrument very quickly and grew to have an interest in many styles of guitar playing ranging from Jazz to Heavy Metal. Presently, Matthew has completed his first year studying Jazz Guitar at the Queensland Conservatorium under the instruction of Jamie Clark and has enjoyed playing in the university’s Brazilian Ensemble as well as it’s Australia and New Zealand Original Compositions Ensemble (ANZOC). Matthew also plays lead guitar in the Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band (QYOBB) and is the Principal Cellist of the Second Queensland Youth Orchestra.
As individual performers, we have experienced a lack of opportunity for young composers and musicians to collaborate. In order to continue creating new innovative music, there needs to be a platform for emerging artists to explore ideas, learn from one another and develop their craft. Concept sextet has started a call for scores project that seeks to extend our existing vision, promote professional practice and to invite composers to share and develop their ideas.
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