Soloists Bios 2017

Phillip Linquist M.Ed.CA, Dip Mus Ed, A.T.C.L Music Director Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Choir since 2009

Phillip began his musical career as a singer and trumpeter, learning singing from the legendary Ruth Ladd and trumpet from Peter Walmsley OAM.

Phillip has an extensive background in choral and orchestral work, singing and conducting for the Sydney Gilbert and Sullivan Society, The Opera House Trust and The Festival of Sydney. He is an experienced Music Educator, Teaching at Peel High in Tamworth, Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School, Barker College and Pymble Primary and was an HSC Examiner.

He is currently enjoying directing the choir at St Swithun’s Church at Pymble which successfully performed choral services for a week at St Georges Chapel, Windsor.(UK) in 2008 and at Bath Abbey and Christ Church Cathedral at Oxford in 2011.

Phillip is married to Suzanne and they have four children who all have a great love and involvement in music.

Heather Moen-Boyd Organist for Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Ecumenical Choir since 2009

Heather studied at Sydney Conservatorium, where she gained a Bachelor of Music, and also holds the A Mus A and FTCL diplomas. An experienced recitalist, she has been organist and choir director at Scots Kirk, Mosman, since 2006. She gave the Centenary Organ Recital at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Mosman, earlier this year.

She has accompanied major choral works with various choirs throughout Sydney and regional areas. Recent performances have included Haydn’s The Creation and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with the Mountains Choral Society, Requiems by Mozart and Durufle with Willoughby Symphony Choir, Handel’s Messiah with a combined choir at Lindfield Uniting Church, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Sydney University Graduate Choir.As well as a busy private studio, Heather teaches piano at Bankstown Grammar School, and is an examiner with the Australian and New Zealand Cultural Arts. She represented the Presbyterian Church on the editorial committee for the revised Australian Hymn Book, ‘Together in Song’.

Heather is also a chorister with the Sunday Evensong choir of Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney.

Caroline King Soprano 2017

Armidale soprano, Caroline King graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2016 with a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) Degree under the tutelage of voice teacher Maree Ryan AM. Caroline is the winner of the Helen Myers Scholarship, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2013). Credits in Germany as soloist include excerpts from Hänsel und Gretel, Humperdink and Le Nozze de Figaro, Mozart. Opera ensemble credits include: Puccini's La Boheme, Bizet's Carmen and Verdi’s La Traviata with Opera New England. Caroline performed her first operatic role Mrs. Gleaton in Opera New England’s ‘Susanna’ by Carlisle Floyd earlier this year.

International experience includes a summer school in Munich, Germany with the Bel Canto Summer Voice Program (2014). Through the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Caroline was selected on full scholarship to study in Verona, Italy as part of ‘Estivo: European Chamber Music Summer School’ (2015) with professors from the Vienna University of the Arts and Principal Artists from the Bastille Opera, Paris.

Notable appearances as soprano soloist include: Mozart’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 with Strathfield Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sadaharu Muramatsu, Haydn’s Mass in Time of War conducted by Paul Terracini, ‘French Impressions’ concert conducted by Neil McEwan and Handel’s Messiah with Penrith Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Terracini.

Barbara (Yuanyuan) Jin Mezzo-soprano 2016 & 2017

Chinese mezzo-soprano Barbara (Yuanyuan) Jin studied for three years on scholarship at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music, China, under the tutelage of Ruogi He as part of the undergraduate program. In 2013, she relocated to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to complete her Bachelor of Music as a recipient of the international Student First Prize Scholarship. She is now in her final year of a Masters of Opera Performance, studying with Maree Ryan AM, chair of vocal studies and opera. She is a recipient of the Diane Wishart and Quin Quin Foundation scholarships.

Barbara's operatic credits have included Mercedes (Carmen), La Badessa, La Suora Zelatrice and La Suora Infermiera (Suor Angelica), Miss Fitzhenry, Lady Jersey and Second Num (Williamson's English Eccentrics), and Dawn's Attendant, Mopsa and Secrecy (The Fairy Queen). ClassikON commented of her recent performance in The Fairy Queen, 'Ms Jin has impeccable diction, most suitable for a piece sung in English and a very flexible voice suitable for a variety of singing genres.' Barbara has also appeared in the ensemble for Adamo's Little Women, Bernstein's MASS as a Street Singer at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, and in the premiering opera, Ui no Fa'aoe. In October 2016, Barbara will be portraying Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte at the Sdyney Conservatorium of Music, conducted by Stephen Mould.

Barbara's awards include the Outstanding Student Award at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music; first prize in German Art Song for the Hong Kong International Singing Competition; first prize in 19th Century Music; first prize in Opera for the Great Composers Competition and second prize in the Nuremberg Music Festival.

She has participated in masterclasses with international conductor, Semyon Rozin in 2015, and with Greta Bradman in 2016.

Evan Kirby Tenor 2016 & 2017

Canberra Tenor Evan Kirby is currently studying in the elite Bachelor of Music Vocal Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He studies voice under the guidance of Ms Maree Ryan AM, Senior Lecturer in Vocal and Opera Studies and is the recipient of scholarships from the Conservatorium, St. Andrew’s College, The Sydney Eisteddfod and the Patim fund.

Credits as an oratorio soloist include Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor (Manly-Warringah Choir, conductor Dr Carlos Alvarado); Requiem (Igitur Nos Orchestra and Choir, conductor Matthew Stuckings and University of Canberra Chorale, conductor Alan Hicks); Handel's Messiah (Penrith Symphony Orchestra, conductor Paul Terracini, Hornsby Ecumenical Choir, conductor Phillip Linquist and Mosman Symphony Orchestra, conductor Timothy Chung); Israel in Egypt (Sydney Conservatorium Early Music Ensemble, conductor Dr Neil McEwan AM); Haydn's Harmoniemesse (Choir of Christ Church St Laurence, conductor Dr Neil McEwan AM); Nelson Mass (Eastern Sydney Chamber Orchestra, conductor Luke Spicer and Igitur Nos Orchestra and Choir, conductor Matthew Stuckings); Stainer’s The Crucifixion (St Stephen’s Uniting Church Choir, conductor David Hood); and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music (Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra and Choir, conductor Brett Weymark).

Opera credits include the roles of Reverend Mr Jones and Dr Wilkinson in Malcolm Williamson’s English Eccentrics (Con Opera, conductor Dr Stephen Mould); King Kaspar in Menotti’s Amahl and The Night Visitors (Penrith Symphony Orchestra, conductor Paul Terracini); Elder Hayes in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah (Opera New England, conductor Bruce Menzies); and Monostatos in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Con Opera, conductor Dr Stephen Mould).

Hayden Barrington Bass 2017

Hayden Barrington is currently studying in the performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the guidance of Maree Ryan, Chair of the Vocal and Opera Studies Unit.

Credits include principal roles in contemporary operas; Mr. Worrall and Major Peter Labelliere in ‘English Eccentrics’, Conductor - Stephen Mould, Director - Kate Gaul; Montague Somers in ‘Gentleman’s Island’, Operantics; Pepik in ‘The Cunning Little Vixen’, Sydney Chamber Opera, Conductor - Huw Belling; Cobweb in ‘A Mid Summer Night’s Dream’, Opera Australia; Conductor - Alexander Briger; and Robert Douglas in ‘The Long Ride Home’, Conductor - Thomas Rimes. In choral repertoire, he has been a soloist in numerous Bach Cantatas, Mass in G by Schubert, Miserere Mei by Allegri, Canto General by Theodorakis and Requiems by Fauré, Duruflé, Bomtempo and Mozart.

Scholarships include the Geoffrey William Rothwell Scholarship from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2014, the Academy of Music Scholarship from 2009-2013 from Trinity Grammar and the Patim Fund in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In July 2016, Hayden was awarded an ESTIVO Scholarship which gave him the opportunity to work with international musicians in Europe and perform in masterclasses and concerts in Italy in a soloist capacity.

Ben Blunt 1^st & Solo Trumpet 2016 & 2017

Benjamin Started playing the trumpet at age 7 under the tutelage of his father, James Blunt (principal trumpet of the A.OB.O for 25 Years). Whilst still at school, Benjamin had much success on his chosen instrument, particularly the Piccolo trumpet and the Soprano Cornet. He was associate Principal and then Principal trumpet of Sydney Youth Philharmonic Orchestra between 2006-2009, and has also been a performing member of several A grade Brass Bands since 2003. In 2008 Benjamin won the State Solo championships on Soprano Cornet (Junior Division) and was runner-up in the Open division. He was runner-up again the following year at the National Championships. Following on from this success, in 2013 Benjamin was invited to the prestigious invitation-only National Australian Brass Band (both Juniors & Seniors) for their 2013 performing season.

In 2010 Benjamin commenced studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying Orchestral Trumpet Performance under the tutelage of Leanne Sullivan, and was awarded a Bachelor of Music (Pert.) in 2015. During this time, Benjamin devoted much of his studies to Baroque Music, particularly on Baroque and Piccolo trumpet repertoire.

Benjamin enjoys a busy playing schedule as a freelance trumpeter, performing regularly with several ensembles across Sydney. These include the Wollongong Symphony Orchestra, Balmain Symphony Orchestra, Mosman Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra '143', Mosman Musical Society, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Manly/Warringah Choir & Orchestra and the Eastern Sydney Chamber Orchestra. He is also currently a member of the A grade Brass Band, Willoughby city Band.

Recently, Benjamin performed as guest Soprano Cornet with the State Championship winning Brass Band, Central Coast brass Band, in the 120^th Anniversary concert gala for the Band Association of New South Wales.

When not busy performing or teaching in various schools across Sydney, in his free time Benjamin enjoys a passion for fine craft beer and spirits, and is a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

James Blunt 2^nd Trumpet 2016 James Blunt commenced trumpet studies at the age of 12, studying with Geoff Bailey, John Robertson and Gordon Webb. He was the founding Principal Trumpet of the Sydney Youth Orchestra under Peter Seymour in 1973.

In 1976 he toured the USA with the Australian Youth Orchestra under John Hopkins and in 1978 he joined the ABC Training Orchestra, as well as commencing casual work with the Elizabethan Trust Sydney Orchestra and playing the Arutunian Concerto in the NSW finals of the ABC Instrumental and Vocal competition.

James won a trial position as Associate Principal Trumpet with the Elizabethan Trust Orchestra and graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Sydney) in 1979. That year he also played the Hummel Trumpet Concerto in the NSW finals of the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition. In 1980 he won a Winston Churchill Memorial Scholarship to study Baroque (natural) trumpet with Edward H Tarr in Basel, Switzerland. He returned to Sydney from Switzerland in 1981 and took up the position of Principal Trumpet with the Elizabethan Trust Orchestra, a position he held for 20 years.

In 1985 James commenced a period of 15 years part-time teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and also at Oatley TAFE (later amalgamated with the Music Department of the University of NSW), a position he holds to this day. He played the world premiere of Colin Brumby’s Trumpet Concerto in 1992. In 2001 he took on the position of Second Trumpet with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, retiring from this position at the end of 2006.

He has also taught at numerous private schools and performed with most of Sydney’s orchestras including the SSO, ACO, Brandenburg Orchestra and St Lawrence Chamber Orchestra. Ensembles he has played in include The Seymour Group, Flederman, Sydney Brass and The Renaissance Players. Currently he maintains a busy teaching schedule and enjoys playing solo cornet with The Saint Mary’s A grade Brass Band under the baton of Prof David King. He also enjoys playing with the Wollongong Symphony Orchestra and the Manly Warringah Choir.

Micah Street - Timpani 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017