MEGAN SMITHIES

After completing a Diploma of Music at the Victorian College of the Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Melbourne University, Megan spent a number of years in Sydney, performing with ensembles as diverse as the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia of Sydney and the Seymour Group. On her return to Melbourne, Megan played with the Melbourne Symphony and as a permanent member of the State Orchestra of Victoria (now Orchestra Victoria). She has vast experience as a member of the Australian Pops Orchestra and played for musicals such as Cats, The Wizard of Oz and The Phantom of the Opera. With a keen interest in chamber music, Megan played as a member of the Goossens String Quartet in Sydney, the Macedon Trio and the Southern String Quartet in Melbourne taking chamber music to young people of Victoria as part of the Musica Viva In Schools program.

Megan is very involved in the local music scene on the Mornington Peninsula. She is an executive committee member of the Peninsula Music Society, which brings Australian and international chamber musicians of the highest calibre to the area. She is also principal cello and a founding member of the Peninsula Chamber musicians, which presents an annual subscription series as well as smaller chamber recitals at St Peter’s Church and Beleura House in Mornington.

After completing a thesis on Australian contemporary cello music as part of her Diploma of Music, Megan maintained a passionate interest in contemporary Australian repertoire. She was influential in introducing Peter Sculthorpe’s ‘Requiem’ for solo cello to the Melbourne music scene, ultimately resulting in the work being included on the AMEB Syllybus.

Megan has wide experience as a teacher for the past thirty years in both NSW and Victoria. Most recently, she has held salaried positions at Castlemaine Secondary College, Camberwell High School and MacKillop College Werribee. She currently holds a permanent position at The Peninsula School teaching cello and directing and assisting string ensembles and the Symphony Orchestra. She has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Cello Ensemble at the school exposing the membership to a wide range of repertoire highlighting the versatility of the cello playing works ranging from the sixteenth century to recently released popular hits. The ensemble has also performed works by the contemporary Australian composer, Sarah Hopkins, creating unique imagery through timbral effects and varied tonal qualities.