Featured Collaborator: Michelle Wood
Source: Michelle Wood
Born in Melbourne, Michelle began her cello studies at the age of seven, completing both Bachelor and Masters of Music degrees at the University of Melbourne under the tuition of Christian Wojtowicz.
Michelle's passion for chamber music was discovered during her time at university, where she became the founding cellist of the Tinalley String Quartet. In its ten year existence, the quartet has been mentored by many of the world's finest quartets, including members of the Tokyo, St Lawrence, Keller, Takacs and Schoenberg String Quartets. Between 2005-2007 the Quartet studied in Prussia Cove, UK; the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival as part of the Yale Summer School of Music; and the Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada. The quartet has won the Australian National Chamber Music Competition (now Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition) and the coveted Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2007, which has resulted in critically acclaimed tours of the USA, Canada and Europe, and national tours and festivals in Australia. Michelle's chamber music performances have also extended to appearances as guest artist with the Australian String Quartet, Wilma & Friends, and festival appearances with numerous other artists.
Michelle is currently a member of the cello section of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and has been an acting Principal and Guest Associate Principal Cellist in both the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras respectively. Michelle is also a core player in the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra where she has performed as soloist in Beethoven's 'Triple' Concerto in their 2012 season.
Michelle also enjoys being an active chamber music coach and cello tutor, having worked with ensembles from the University of Melbourne, Australian National Academy of Music and Australian Youth Orchestra and Melbourne Youth Orchestra programs.