About Ensemble Q
In 2015 two musical powerhouses and workaholics joined forces, ran a couple of festivals together and in 2017 Ensemble Q was born. Out of a desire to create an ensemble of exceptional players and wonderful people, and to create pathways for the most exciting young musicians in Australia, co-Artistic Directors Paul and Trish Dean's enthusiasm and skill quickly gained momentum and attracted some of Australia's and the world's most exceptional musicians. Thanks to the support of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Ensemble Q was given the title Ensemble in Residence. The ensemble has now performed in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, many regional centres and at the Georgetown Festival in Penang, Malaysia. Ensemble Q are proudly touring artists for Musica Viva National and regional touring networks and will be conducting their next national tour in September/October 2024.
When the pandemic hit, Ensemble Q regrouped and reshaped, and became entirely Brisbane based. The group now hosts star core members such as former Concertmaster Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and leader of the Australian String Quartet, Natsuko Yoshimoto, former Australian String Quartet and Tank Stream Quartet violinist Anne Horton, Queensland Symphony Orchestra Principals Imants Larsens (viola), Phoebe Russell (double bass), Huw Jones (oboe), and David Mitchell (bassoon), internationally acclaimed concert pianist Daniel de Borah, and Associate Professor Peter Luff (horn), and trumpet superstar Sarah Butler, all brought together by household name of the clarinet, Paul Dean and his partner in life and music, cello soloist and former Sydney Symphony principal Trish Dean.
A groundbreaking mentorship program shares this excitement with future generations of exceptional musicians, delighting audiences and guiding emerging young musicians to greater heights.
Ensemble Q supports companies including Opera Queensland, 4MBS Classic FM, the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program and The Queensland Choir with the formation of an Ensemble Q training orchestra. This orchestra provides valuable paid opportunities for talented tertiary music students and emerging artists to work alongside Ensemble Q professional artists.
Ensemble Q is proudly supported by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Philip Bacon AO and a wonderful group of private sponsors. Read more about our sponsors here
When the pandemic hit, Ensemble Q regrouped and reshaped, and became entirely Brisbane based. The group now hosts star core members such as former Concertmaster Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and leader of the Australian String Quartet, Natsuko Yoshimoto, former Australian String Quartet and Tank Stream Quartet violinist Anne Horton, Queensland Symphony Orchestra Principals Imants Larsens (viola), Phoebe Russell (double bass), Huw Jones (oboe), and David Mitchell (bassoon), internationally acclaimed concert pianist Daniel de Borah, and Associate Professor Peter Luff (horn), and trumpet superstar Sarah Butler, all brought together by household name of the clarinet, Paul Dean and his partner in life and music, cello soloist and former Sydney Symphony principal Trish Dean.
A groundbreaking mentorship program shares this excitement with future generations of exceptional musicians, delighting audiences and guiding emerging young musicians to greater heights.
Ensemble Q supports companies including Opera Queensland, 4MBS Classic FM, the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program and The Queensland Choir with the formation of an Ensemble Q training orchestra. This orchestra provides valuable paid opportunities for talented tertiary music students and emerging artists to work alongside Ensemble Q professional artists.
Ensemble Q is proudly supported by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Philip Bacon AO and a wonderful group of private sponsors. Read more about our sponsors here