Our 2024 Conductors
Bishop Symphony Orchestra
Mark Shiell
Conductor Mark Shiell studied in Australia, Italy and Russia and has conducted professionally in China, Japan, Russia and Australia.
As a conductor, his greatest passion is working with young musicians.
This work includes guest conducting at the Conservatoriums in Melbourne, Sydney as well as the Sichuan Conservatorium in Chengdu, China and the ANU School of Music in Canberra. Currently, Mark is the conductor of the Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra. He has also conducted youth orchestras across Australia and Japan.
Alongside his youth music activity Mark has been involved in the founding and or development of many orchestral initiatives in regional Australia. These include the Victorian Regional Orchestra, Geelong Youth Orchestra and Victorian Regional Orchestra. He has been the Principal Conductor of orchestras including the Zelman Symphony Orchestra, the Macquarie Philharmonia and the Canberra Concerto Orchestra.
Mark’s other passion is mindfulness meditation. He is a certified teacher in the Unified Mindfulness System and is currently writing a book for conductors that utilises the attention skills of mindfulness to support the expedited development of ensemble skills in young musicians.
Jones String Ensemble
Jessica Oddie
Violinist Jessica Oddie has performed throughout the US, Europe, and Australia, including solo and chamber music recitals at Teatro La Fenice (Venice), Le Poisson Rouge (New York), Lincoln Center (New York), Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, and the Sydney Opera House. She relocated to New Zealand in 2020 when she was engaged as Guest Assistant Concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She was delighted to join the orchestra as Assistant Principal Second in 2022.
Following an acclaimed performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Jessica recorded two albums of chamber music for the Naxos and Tactus recording labels, including the premiere recording of twentieth-century Italian composer Gino Gorini’s chamber works. In Australia, Jessica has performed frequently as concertmaster for Victorian Opera (Melbourne) and in principal roles at the Canberra International Music Festival, Peninsula Summer Music Festival, and Warren Chamber Music Festival. She also performs regularly with Omega Ensemble, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. Her studies were at the Juilliard School, Yale University, and the Yale School of Music.
Scott String Ensemble
Oscar Woinarski
Oscar is a multifaceted music teacher at Caulfield Grammar School and Our Lady of Sion
College. He leads string and chamber ensembles, oversees the year 7 string program, and offers private and group tuition. He was fortunate to tour Europe in 2023 where he conducted the CGS Kreisler Strings at the world-renowned Summa Cum Laude Youth Festival in Vienna and the International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava.
Having earned his Bachelor’s (Degree with Honours) and Master of Music degree from the
Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in 2019, Oscar honed his skills under the mentorship of
Alvin Wong and Edith Salzmann and was fortunate to perform in masterclasses hosted by
internationally renowned cellists such as Li-Wei Qin, Peter Wispelwey, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi,
Ramon Jaffé, and Brant Taylor.
Driven by his passion for chamber music, Oscar has performed in America, South Korea, Hong
Kong and New Zealand, participating in prestigious events like the MIMIR chamber music
festival in Texas and tutoring at the International Akaroa Music Festival, enriching his teaching
through these diverse experiences.
Beyond his teaching roles, Oscar thrives as a freelance cellist, frequently performing in
Candlelight concerts and weddings across Melbourne. During his time off he enjoys exercising
outdoors, trying new foods, and unwinding with a good board game.
Thomson String Ensemble
Emily Fairweather
Emily Fairweather is a passionate conductor, educator, and performer. She is currently Head of Junior School Music at Brighton Grammar School.
Emily graduated from the Monash University, Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music with a double degree in Music and Education in 2016. Her study included research in primary string programs effectiveness (Musicology) and creative arts education. During her studies she achieved a High Distinction in orchestral conducting which led to her further study at Gondwana Choral Conducting Academy at National Choral School in 2018.
Emily has won several choral eisteddfods and awards including Royal South Street Ballarat Eisteddfod and Victorian Schools Music Festival. She has been the combined CSEN Schools String Orchestra Conductor and she enjoys seeing schools and students unifying and working together to create musical masterpieces.
Emily has a particular interest in developing a genuine passion for music in young people with a focus on having fun, creating a positive learning environment, and instilling creative and musical thinking in our young people. She is looking forward to inspiring young string players in the Thomson String Ensemble this year.
Johnston String Ensemble - Tania Casey
Tania Casey is a dedicated music educator with a fervent passion for nurturing the talents of beginner students. With extensive experience teaching junior string programs throughout Melbourne, she currently shares her expertise at Haileybury College, specializing in developing young string musicians. Tania emphasizes the connection between music and emotional understanding by incorporating storybook literature into her lessons, fostering a deeper appreciation for music among her students. In addition to her work with strings, she has made contributions to choirs, both in schools and the community, serving as the former director of the Berwick Youth Choir and the Da Capo Singers.
Britton String Ensemble - Willem Van Der Vis
New Zealand born Willem Van der Vis gained a B.Sc (Hons) in physics, before going on to play principal cello with the New Zealand Symphony Training Orchestra, and Southern Sinfonia (Dunedin).
In 1979 Willem moved to Australia, joining the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. He has also played with Orchestra Victoria, the New Zealand, Tasmanian and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras.
After completing his B.Mus (conducting) at WAAPA and the VCA (Robert Rosen), he enjoyed further Conducting studies in Moscow, England, and the Czech Republic, and with Professor John Hopkins in Melbourne.
He has conducted Stonnington, Heidleberg, Preston, New Monash, Ballarat, Derwent (Hobart), and U3A Symphony Orchestras, and was Musical Director of the Murray Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra (Albury, NSW).
Willem is now musical Director of the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra. He conducts at orchestral workshops and music camps around Australia, is also in demand as an adjudicator, and holds workshops in orchestral conducting.
Our Orchestras
Bishop Symphony Orchestra
Bishop String Ensemble is named in honour of John Bishop OBE. Originally from Melbourne before taking up an appointment at the University of Adelaide, John was one of the founding members of the music camp movement in Australia in 1947. Travel to the USA, Europe and Great Britain instilled a burning ambition to instigate the formation of musical camps in Australia.
- Type: String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Grade 7+ or equivalent
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Jones String Ensemble
- Type: String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Grade 5-6 or equivalent
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Scott String Ensemble
Professor Bill Scott was a loyal supporter of the State Music Camp Association for a number of years as Chairman of the Committee. As a violinist he had a particular interest in developing the junior string ensembles involved in the camp.
- Type: String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Grade 3-4 or equivalent
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 12:30pm
Thomson String Ensemble
Originally named after Dr. Percy Jones OBE, this ensemble was re-named in 2007 in honour of Mrs Leonie Thomson who was a member of the committee of the State Music Camp for forty years. Leonie has since moved to Queensland and follows the activties of the camp with a keen interest.
- Type: Training String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Preliminary – 2 or equivalent. Ability to read music is essential for this ensemble.
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 12:30pm
Johnston String Ensemble
Johnston string ensemble named in memory of Jenny Johnston who was prominent in organising state and national music camps.
- Type: Training String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Preliminary – Gr 3 or equivalent. Ability to read music is essential for this ensemble.
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Britton String Ensemble
Named in honour of Donald Britton, Master of Music at Melbourne Grammar School.
- Type: String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Grade 5+
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 1:00pm
