University of Queensland French Horn Quartet form the soloists for “Romantic Encounters”.
Daniel Sherson (first solo French Horn)
A graduate of West Moreton Anglican College, Daniel started playing horn in 2003 and was heavily involved in the school’s music program. In 2012 Daniel was accepted into the School of Music, University of Queensland and made rapid progress under tutelage of Malcolm Stewart.
During his studies at UQ, Daniel excelled, playing roles in the UQ Symphony Orchestra, wind ensembles and in various chamber groups. A former Principal Horn with both the UQ Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Youth Symphony, Daniel was the winner of UQ’s prestigious Donald Tugby Prize in 2013. Following graduating from UQ in 2015, he is now exploring new avenues of performance in pursuit of a professional performance career.
NRSO is delighted to offer this exciting young soloist the opportunity to perform Schumann’s legendary party piece for French Horns as part of this concert. Daniel is delighted to accept this engagement.
Benjamin Tomarchio (second solo French Horn)
Benjamin graduated from Villanova College in 2010, where he was music and brass captain, performing in national and international music tours. A qualified nurse, Ben is now following his heart and is training to become a professional French Horn player by learning from Malcolm Stewart and Vivienne Collier-Vickers, both renowned players with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a second year student at the School of Music, University of Queensland.
External to UQ, Ben is a regular performer with Queensland Youth Orchestra ensembles at QPAC as well as with numerous other community groups. A former Principal Horn with the UQ Symphony Orchestra, Ben works part-time as a Registered Nurse in the St. Andrews War Memorial Hospital.
Future goals include playing with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra , studying overseas and continuing study and practice as a Registered Nurse.
Timothy Allen-Ankins (third solo French Horn)
Timothy is currently in his second year studying a Bachelor of Music (performance) specializing in French Horn at the University of Queensland after graduating from St Laurence’s College in 2014. He is lectured by Malcolm Stewart, Principal Horn of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
He has toured the British Isles and aims to globally study and tour in the future within the music profession. He is currently Principal Horn of the University of Queensland Symphony Orchestra and enjoys performing regularly at QPAC with that ensemble and with the Queensland Youth Orchestra ensembles.
Timothy is looking forward to playing with the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra in this performance of Schumann’s classic piece for French Horn.
Michelle Henderson (fourth solo, French Horn)
Michelle is in the final year of her music degree at the School of Music, University of Queensland and is majoring in performance on the French Horn. She has been playing horn for over 11 years and continues to be an avid participant in music.
A Mansfield SHS graduate, Michelle’s musical education developed throughout high school and beyond under the tutelage of Ysolt Clarke and continued on into University under Vivienne Collier-Vickers (Queensland Symphony Orchestra).
Michelle has been an active member of Queensland Youth Orchestra for the past four years and is currently Principal Horn with the Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony. She also performs with Queensland Wind Orchestra in addition to her UQ studies with the UQ Symphony Orchestra.
Michelle is hoping to continue her music making in the future and is looking for new ways to expand her experience in the music industry. She is greatly looking forward to her performance with NRSO!