Chloe Ann Williamson – Director and Double Bassist
A graduate of the University of Queensland (Master of Philosophy in Music; Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours), Queensland University of Technology (Graduate Diploma in Education with Distinction) and the University of Tasmania (Graduate Certificate in Music Studies), Chloe Ann Williamson maintains an eclectic and successful career, as a freelance double bassist. The leading proponent of tango double bass in Australia, Chloe has a host of accolades and a strong dedication to Argentine tango as an art form. She was a recipient of a 2016 Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artist Fellowship and PPCA Grant to enable her to attend Tango for Musicians at Reed College in Portland (OR), USA, as well as undertake further study and research of tango music in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2018, Chloe again attended the Tango for Musicians course with the support of a PPCA Grant that was awarded to the Mendoza Tango Quartet – her former ensemble which she co-founded and directed from 2014-2018. She has studied with the best in the world of tango double bass – Ignacio Varchausky (author of The Bass In Tango), Juan Pablo Navarro and Pablo Aslan. As well as directing and playing in her own ensemble, Tango Enigmático, Chloe is also a member of Solidaridad Tango – a Toronto-based, all-woman, diversity-affirming tango orchestra. A diverse musician, Chloe also performs regularly with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and with her string quartet agency, Four Strings. In addition to her hectic performing schedule, Chloe works part-time for the Media Entertainment and Arts’ Alliance to bring Australia’s freelance musicians together to create a stronger voice for their working rights.
Camille Barry – Violin
Australian violinist Camille Barry was born in Brisbane, and has performed as a solo, chamber and orchestral musician throughout Australia, and across the UK and Europe. Granted early entry to the Queensland Conservatorium at age 15, Camille completed her Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Elizabeth Morgan, OAM. From 2008-12, studying with Malcolm Layfield and Levon Chilingirian, Camille completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Violin Performance and a Masters of Music, both with Distinction, at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. On completion of her Masters degree in July of 2012, Camille was awarded the RNCM’s Philip Newman Award, for outstanding achievement during her postgraduate studies. Camille has been successful in numerous national and international competitions, including the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, Gisborne International Music Competition, the South East QLD Concerto Competition, the RNCM Concerto and Gold Medal competitions, and others. She has performed as soloist with numerous orchestras, both in Australia and the UK. As a chamber and orchestral musician, Camille has performed for Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, Queensland Ballet, Bangalow Music Festival, Anywhere Theatre Festival, World Forum of Music, Queensland Cabaret Festival. Dots+Loops, Restrung Festival, Jungle Love Festival, Quandamooka Festival and many others. Camille currently enjoys a diverse freelance career based in Queensland, performing regularly with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, as well as tutoring at Griffith University’s Young Conservatorium. A specialist in contemporary music, Camille’s quartet Black Square Quartet has collaborated with several composers including Thomas Green, Ken Thomson, Cathy Likhuta, Marike Van Dijk, Richard Grantham, Philip Eames, and others. Camille is experienced in a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, folk, latin, gypsy, Celtic, rock/pop and World Music. Camille plays a Eugenio Degani violin, made in 1897.
Eugenie Costello – Violin
Eugenie studied Violin and Piano at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Since then Eugenie has been working as a professional freelance violinist and violin teacher. She has extensive orchestral and chamber ensemble experience, having performed with ensembles such as, Chamber Ensemble Queensland, Southern Cross Soloists, The English National Ballet Orchestra, Philharmonia Australia, Tulipwood, Collusion Chamber ensemble and the Australian Session Orchestra. Eugenie has also performed in String Quartets and String Sections with International Artists, Hans Zimmer, Harry Connick, Diana Krall, and Eminem, to name a few, and Australian artists such as John Farnham, Archie Roach ‘Into the Blood Stream’, Hugh Jackman in ‘Boy from Oz’, Tommy Emmanuel, Kate Miller-Heidke and regularly performs with Katie Noonan. As well as classical and new music, Eugenie very much enjoys playing a wide variety of world music, and Jazz. She has performed with ensembles and dance productions such as Flamenco Fire, Tango Paradiso, The Australian Arabic Orchestra, and Jazz ensembles Trichotomy with String Quartet and Wild Silk Strings Project. Eugenie has over 30 years experience in the music industry and is constantly kept busy with gigs, concerts, recordings, and teaching.
Julianna Kim – Violin
Julianna Kim is an accomplished musician, known for her expertise as a highly skilled violinist, violist, and educator. She obtained a Bachelor of Music in Performance with Honours, a Postgraduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), and a Master of Music Studies from Griffith Conservatorium, all of which have prepared her well for a thriving career in the music industry. Julianna’s notable professional engagements include performances with prestigious ensembles such as the Australian indie chamber septet Nonsemble, and Brisbane-based group Ensemble Cherubim, for events like Woodford Folk Festival, Brisbane Festival, and Queensland Music Festival, where she led a successful community project with Topology and Christina Anu. She has also been privileged to tour with accomplished musicians like Joshua Bell, Christopher Eschenbach, William Barton, and James Crabb, and has recorded with renowned artists such as Ed Kuepper (The Saints) and Luke Cuerel Orchestra. With her exceptional portfolio and skillset, Julianna has established herself as a reputable musician and an influential mentor, who continues to inspire and educate the next generation of aspiring musicians.
Dan Curro – Cello
Dan Curro studied the cello first with Helen Holt and later with Matthew Farrell, Roseanne Hunt and Howard Penny. Dan’s musical interests are eclectic and his activities diverse. At the Queensland Conservatorium he studied contemporary improvisation under John Rogers and Ken Edie. He has recorded two albums with his contemporary vocal group, Plub and reviewers described him as a “star performer” for a concert he gave with avante-garde/electronic musician Oxford Parker, in which he improvised on 6-string fretless bass guitar and completed Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System, projected onto a screen for the audience in approximately six minutes. Sought after as a Baroque cellist, he has played in many specialist groups including the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and the Badinerie Players. Dan has also worked extensively with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and The Queensland Orchestra. In 2007 Dan was contracted to play full-time with The Queensland Orchestra (now the Queensland Symphony Orchestra) and in that year also made his debut as principal cellist with that orchestra. In 2009, Dan elected to return to his freelance former lifestyle and in that year performed in the Australian premiere of Louis Andriessen’s string quartet “Facing Death” at the Australian National Academy of Music. Since then, Dan has performed in many and varied musical configurations and situations, in an abundance of musical styles including baroque/classical, latin, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and what has become his main passion, the historically informed performance of 19th century western art music. Lately, Dan has been doing quite a bit of playing with Black Square Quartet, performing a lot of new music, written by local composers such as Thomas Green and Richard Grantham.
Cara Tran – Piano
Brisbane-based pianist Cara Tran leads a versatile career that has taken her from concert halls to festival stages nationally and internationally. She is the pianist of indie chamber septet Nonsemble, dancehall tango ensemble Mendoza Tango Quartet and contemporary tango trio, Tango Enigmatico. With these ensembles, she has performed at festivals such as Brisbane Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Extended Play and Jungle Love. In 2018, Cara attended Tango for Musicians at Reed College in Portland (OR), USA with the support of a PPCA Grant that was awarded to the Mendoza Tango Quartet. As an orchestral pianist, she has performed with the Australian Youth Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Institute Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, with whom she toured to China in 2017. Through Musica Viva in Schools, she toured a scripted show through regional Australia with Ensemble Entourage. Cara completed a Bachelor in Music Performance with First Class Honours under the tutelage of Dr. Max Olding at the University of Queensland in 2014. Whilst completing her undergraduate studies, she was the recipient of the Donald Tugby Prize in Music Performance (2012). Cara is thrilled to be playing with the Brisbane Tango Orchestra after the wonderful pilot project in 2021!
Lucia Gonzalez – Flute
Lucia Gonzalez is a freelance flutist and piccolist. Along with her qualifications, (Bachelor of Music with Honours from Australian National University and Master of Music Studies from Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium), she has a broad range of orchestral experience. Most notably, Lucia is a casual musician with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Whilst in Brisbane she has performed in the Brisbane Tango Orchestra, Queensland Pops Orchestra and in Opera Australia’s ‘Opera on the Beach’ at Bleach Festival. She is currently Principal Piccolo in the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2011 Lucia won first place with her trio in the Friends of the Australian National University Chamber Music Competition. Lucia has performed in Master Classes with internationally renowned piccoloists and flutists such as Nicola Mazzanti, Marta Rossi, Gudrun Hinze, Thies Roorda, Rien de Reed, Wally Hasse, Michael Cox, Professor Michael Hasel. During her studies, Lucia underwent intensive private lessons with Thies Roorda, Professor Michael Hasel and Michael Cox. As a Uruguayan/Australian Lucia is excited to be a part of the Brisbane Tango Orchestra not only to showcase her cultural heritage, but to also have the privilege of working alongside highly regarded local musicians who can bring their expertise and passion for tango music to Brisbane audiences.
Hugo Anaya Partida – Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Hugo Anaya is a Brisbane based clarinettist studying at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University under the tutelage of Paul Dean. Since his first encounter with the clarinet at age 11, Hugo has taken part in numerous ensembles gaining a wealth of experience. Hugo’s affiliation with the Queensland Youth Orchestras began in 2016 where he began playing in the Wind Ensemble, directed by David Law. Since then he has also performed with the Wind Symphony, QYO2, and toured with the flagship ensemble, QYS in their Regional Queensland tour. He has held the coveted position of Principal Bass Clarinet in the Queensland Youth Symphony for several years. Hugo began competing at a young age and most notably has received several awards in the Queensland Clarinet and Saxophone Society Competition. Hugo plays clarinet regularly with the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the Queensland Conservatorium Ensembles and has taken part in several projects with ADY Ensemble over the past two years. Passionate about the bass clarinet, Hugo is excited to be able to incorporate it into his performances with the Brisbane Tango Orchestra.
Past Participants
We would like to thank and acknowledge the following musicians who have performed as part of the Brisbane Tango Orchestra either in the pilot project or other past performances: Liz Young (Violin), Michael Patterson (Violin), Lara Baker-Finch (Violin), Flora Wong (Violin), Camilla Tafra (Cello), Sophie Collis (Double Bass), Lochlan Morrisey (Bandoneon), Rory Dollard (Guitar) and Joel Woods (Guitar).