Bios

Ian Sykes – Clarinet

Ian Sykes graduated with a Bachelor of Music (first class honours) from the University of Newcastle. Subsequent studies have included a Master of Music (performance) degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and private lessons in Australia and London. Ian is a busy freelance musician, dividing his time between chamber and orchestral music, music theatre and pedagogy. Ian has performed in productions of Sweeney Todd, Mary Poppins – The Musical, Phantom of the Opera, South Pacific and West Side Story. Ian is a founding member of Sirius Chamber Ensemble and has performed with Sydney Philharmonia, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, The Metropolitan Orchestra, NSW Police Band as well as the education programs for Musica Viva and Sydney Opera House.

Dr Alison Evans – Bassoon

Alison completed her Bachelor of Music in Performance in 1999 and her Master of Music Studies in 2000 at the Queensland Conservatorium. She then went on to complete Master of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, graduating in 2005 with High Distinction. Her research thesis focussed on the bassoon compositions of the German bassoonist and composer Victor Bruns. Alison won first prize at the Queensland Double Reed Society Competition in 2003. In 2007 Alison travelled to Germany to take lessons at the Hochshule der Music Franz Liszt – Weimar. Alison returned to Sydney to undertake a PhD at the Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney. Completed in 2014, her doctoral thesis focussed on applied functional anatomy of the soft palate in woodwind and brass musicians. Alison is a co-founder of Sirius Chamber Ensemble, has a keen interest in music education and multidisciplinary research, and is an active member of the Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare (ASPAH). Alison is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Sydney.

Melissa Coleman – Flute

Melissa graduated from the Newcastle Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music, having studied with Paul Curtis and James Kortum. She then went on to complete a Master of Music degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, under the tutelage of Dr Alexa Still. Melissa is an active freelance musician, who enjoys performing orchestral repertoire, music theatre, and chamber music as well as solo works. She is a core member of the Sirius Chamber Ensemble; and is especially passionate about promoting and performing contemporary Australian chamber works, and collaborating with composers in the creation of new music. Melissa also teaches the flute and piccolo, and maintains a thriving private teaching studio.

Clare Kahn – Cello

Clare Kahn completed a Bachelor of Music with first class honours at the Canberra School of Music under the tutelage of David Pereira. With the aid of a University of Sydney Postgraduate Award she then undertook a Masters of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying cello with Susan Blake. Clare performs a wide variety of music, from chamber to orchestral, musical theatre and session work. Recent performances include work with the Opera Australia Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia, and productions of Anastasia and Hamilton.