Artistic Director

Cellist Trish O’Brien has been Artistic Director of the Camden Haven Music Festival since 2005.

Trish O'Brien is a vital contributor to the Australian classical music scene. She has gained a reputation as a driving force behind new

Trish O'Brien

productions, ensembles and as a leading cellist of her generation. Her mission involves working closely with current classical trends and creating original and diverse performances that engage and expand audiences.

Born and raised in Tasmania, Trish studied with Christian Wojtowicz and Sela Trau at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music. From her early teens her prodigious talent was recognized with leading positions in the Australian Youth Orchestra, Tasmanian Youth Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Tasmania's Southern Players.

After moving to Sydney, Trish performed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.  At age 19 she was offered positions with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Chamber Orchestra. There she became the cellist of the Adelaide Contemporary Ensemble whilst furthering her solo career with recitals and recordings in Adelaide and Sydney.

On returning to Sydney 22, Trish won the ABC Young Performers Award String Category, performing Bloch's Schelomo with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and again with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, for which she was acclaimed for her depth of interpretation. In the same year she won the 2MBSFm Young Performer of the Year Award, an Australia Council Scholarship and a friends of the SSO scholarship to study with Ronald Leonard in Los Angeles.

After returning from the USA Trish toured Europe, UK, Japan, Taiwan and the USA, in the position of Associate Principal Cello with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Donald Hazelwood OBE, Concertmaster of the SSO, appointed her cellist of the Hazelwood Quartet, with whom she regularly performed, recorded and toured. She has performed in a guest capacity with the Australia Ensemble, the Seymour Group, and as Principal cello for the Adelaide Symphony and Sydney Symphony Orchestras.

Trish has performed many solo and chamber recitals for the ABC and Musica Viva in Sydney and Melbourne, and has recorded regularly for radio 2MBSFm and the ABC.

In 1997 Trish's career was suspended by a severe wrist injury sustained on tour, and she found herself unable to play for a period of 5 years. After lengthy periods of rehabilitation and  strengthening, plus a huge amount of determination, Trish was able to return to the cello in a solo capacity with a renewed perspective and intense passion for the cello.
Since her return to the stage in 2003, Trish has collaborated with some of Australia's finest musicians.  Her love of the more sensual, passionate and virtuosic cello repertoire led her to form Tapas cello and piano duo with pianist composer Mark Isaacs. In 2003 they toured extensively, performing at festivals and major venues in NSW and QLD, for the ABC and Musica Viva.

2004 saw collaborations with Sydney Conservatorium of Music lecturer and ABC Classics pianist Scott Davie; ARIA award winning ABC Classics pianist Gerard Willems; a world premiere performance of a work by composer Elena Kats-Chernin; the presentation of her own concert series "Musical Chairs" in Coffs Harbour with repeat performances in regional centres of NSW; a tour with the New England Ensemble; a production of Trish's own creation "La Cello Vita" - a unique performance of solo cello works with actor, script, special effects lighting and sound; an ABC National live broadcast, a cd recording at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, and several cello and piano recitals around the country.

Trish currently resides in Coffs Harbour with her 3 children.  Her commitment to the growth of regional arts and music led to the invitation to the role of Artistic Director for the Camden Haven Music Festival in 2005.  Other highlights of  2005 also included an extensive recital tour with pianist Renate Turrini,  a concerto performance of her own arrangement of Piazzolla's Grand Tango with the Chamber Strings of Toowoomba, performances with the Australian String Quartet and Gerard Willems , and her own creation, "ThePiazzolla Project", a music theatre style touring performance including guitarists Karin Schaupp, Leonard Grigoryan, jazz pianist Joe Chindamo, Renate Turrini and SSO principals Emma West and Kees Boersma, alongside Argentinian tango dancers from Alma de Tango.

Trish released her first solo CD, "Longings" in 2006, with pianists Renate Turrini and Mark Isaacs under the 2MBS Records label.
 
Trish currently performs on many tours with ARIA award winning guitarist Gareth Koch in Luminesca - the Australian Cello and Guitar Duo . The duo released its debut CD in May 2007, which was chosen by ABC Classic FM and the entire MBS network as "CD of the Week" in its first month of release. Luminesca has gained support through the Australia Council, is represented by Musica Viva Countrywide and the national touring body of Long Paddock (Arts NSW).

She is also a member of the Endeavour Trio, a clarinet, cello and piano trio with esteemed clarinettist Paul Dean and pianist Stephen Emmerson. They are also represented by Musica Viva Countrywide, and conduct their own concert series at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Their debut recording is due for release in mid 2008.

Trish is in demand for one off performances with ensembles such as the Australian String Quartet, and for the Bangalow Music Festival.

Her position of Artistic Director of the Camden Haven Music Festival continues until 2009, under a 5 year extended contract. Under her direction, the festival was recently awarded an APRA award for "Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area".

Trishs website is www.trishobrien.com.au