At the turn of the 17th Century, the violin, a new kid on the block, was emerging as a serious instrument for musical expression. 

Just as they had been at the forefront of violin building, the Italians were trailblazing virtuoso performers, travelling the courts of Europe to show off their innovative new musical toy. 

In my first performance in over ten months, Harken Well is thrilled to be playing at the stunning Port Phillip Estate for the Peninsula Summer Music Festival this January. I’ll be joined by very special friends Laura Vaughan (viola da gamba) and Hannah Lane (baroque triple harp) for a programme exploring the blossoming of the violin as one of the world’s most popular instruments.

Check here for details and bookings, and be sure to support other events at the Festival too- it’s been a harrowing year for the Victoria Music Industry, and it’s amazing that the Penisula Festival is making live events happen!

The Australian Art Orchestra has set up a mentorship programme, which I have the honour of joining as mentor, alongside many esteemed colleagues, friends, and collaborators. Anyone interested in learning about experimental improvisation with bowed string instruments, particularly from the renaissance and baroque, sign up here!

All details can be found on AAO’s website.

As the entire human population of the globe is aware, we are living through an unprecedented global pandemic due to the Coronavirus. In mid-March, this event effectively shut down the Australian arts industry overnight. We have no idea when we will be able to perform publicly again.

Needless to say, all my planned performing activities are on hold indefinitely. I hope to be able to share new dates with you soon. In the meantime, along with all my incredible colleagues, I’m busying myself creating and uploading digital content, and linking to existing online content.

There are hundreds of thousands of Australians employed in the creative sector who need support at this time. I encourage those of you who are able to explore online content, and ways to remunerate the creators of that content for their time and expertise.

It’s always a pleasure joining Melbourne’s Renaissance Band La Compañia, and no less so that with fellow Central Victorian country kid and tenor-extraordinaire Daniel Thomson.

Don’t miss it! Details and ticketing information can be found here.

We’re heading up to Beechworth again, for another early Italian baroque concert, but this time with two violins. My friend Tim will be joining us for this special concert raising money for Wildlife Victoria. Please come and support a good cause.

Details at Harken Well or Facebook.

Rohan Drape and I are weaving something new for a special occasion, and we’ll be showing it to everyone at Inland on 24th February.

Come and see all the things. Details here.

I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the incredible Donna Coleman in her Outbach Sadie Hawkins Day celebrations at Jazzlab this February 29th.

Don’t miss this auspicious occasion!

Details here.

I’m looking forward to my first trip to Tassie this year for Van Diemen’s Band’s Italian Baroque Sessions Academy and Festival with Italian early-music superstars Enrico Gatti and Elena Bianchi!

The academy runs from 1-5th March, with a festival running over the following weekend from 5-8th March.

If you’re lucky, you might spot me playing my baroque viola…

Check out all the academy details here, and festival details here.

For my first performance in 2020, I’m stoked to be joining Louisa Hunter Bradley and David McFarlane for a programme of incredible early Italian repertoire at the ever-excellent Peninsula Summer Music Festival. Come on down to Balnarring and enjoy a glass of vino and some intense early music!

Full programme and ticketing details can be found here, and don’t forget to check out the rest of the festival programme!