Peter Luff
Peter Luff
Conductor
Conductor
Friday 14th November, 2025
Conservatorium Theatre
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work. We pay respect to the Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951)
Concerto for Double Bass in F-sharp minor for Double Bass, op.3 (1 & 2 movements) st nd
Rio Kawaguchi , Soloist
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33, TH.57
Milo Duval, soloist
Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880)
Concerto No.2 in D minor for Violin and Orchestra, op.22 (1 movement) st
Lydia Hwang, soloist
Interval
Moritz Moszkowski (1854-1925)
Piano Concerto in E Major Op.59 (1 Movement) st
Phuong Do, soloist
Theodoor Verhey (1848-1929)
Flute Concerto No.1 Op.45
Amy Tashjian, soloist
York Bowen (1884-1961)
Concerto in c minor for Viola and Orchestra Op.25
Olivia Spyrou, soloist
Peter Luff is an Associate Professor and Head of Brass at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University where he conducts and lectures in horn and brass performance. He is in great demand as a Horn teacher, with many of his Horn graduates securing permanent playing positions in national and international professional symphony orchestras. Peter is president of the International Horn Society (IHS), is a member of the IHS Advisory Council and a recipient of the society’s prestigious “Punto Award” for his contributions to the Australian horn playing community. As a conductor, Peter enjoys a diverse career encompassing Symphonic repertoire, Opera, Ballet and Chamber music. He has directed many orchestras and ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, Expressions Dance Company, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra brass ensemble, Australian National Academy of Music Brass Ensemble, Australian Youth Orchestra, Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Brisbane Philharmonic, Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony and Opera Orchestras. Formerly Associate Principal Horn with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Peter continues to perform with orchestras and ensembles throughout Australia and abroad, building on a distinguished performance career that has informed and shaped his conducting style.
Based in Brisbane, Rio Kawaguchi is studying under Principal Bass of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Phoebe Russell, at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. In her school years, she studied with the Principal Bass of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Stuart Thomson.
As a passionate Orchestral musician, she has recently performed in Europe as part of the Australian Youth Orchestra’s International tour and has toured regional Queensland with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra as a 2025 Upbeat artist. She has played as Principal bass with the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Orchestra in 2024 - 2025 and has been a dedicated member of the Australian Youth Orchestra since 2019. She has performed with many major Australian Orchestras, including Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra. In 2026, she is looking forward to working with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as a Double bass fellow.
Milo Duval is a cellist recognized for his compelling performances. He is studying at the Queensland Conservatorium under Hyung Suk Bae and György Deri. Milo has distinguished himself in both national and international competitions, winning prizes in the Conservatorium and awards at the London VIMA and Birmingham International Competitions. As a soloist, he has appeared playing a wide variety of works with orchestras across the state. Milo has performed with the Australian Youth Orchestra since the age of 13, served consecutive seasons as principal cellist of the Young Conservatorium orchestras, and plays with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. He has also been privileged to work with world class pedagogues in America, Asia and Europe.
Lydia Hwang is a violinist in her third year of study at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, where she learns under Michele Walsh. She has performed with ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in its Oceans project, the Queensland Youth Symphony, and has participated in AYO programs. In addition to her orchestral work, Lydia is an active chamber musician, appearing in a range of ensemble settings and cultivating a collaborative approach to performance. Dedicated to refining her craft and exploring a wide repertoire, Lydia brings expressive depth to her playing. With her violin, she hopes to travel the world, sharing music with audiences across various cultures and communities.
Olivia Spyrou is a dynamic young violist, born and raised in Melbourne. Since 2023, they have been under the tutelage of Assoc. Professor Michele Walsh, studying a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University (QCGU). In 2024, Olivia was awarded the FW and EG Harmer Memorial Scholarship for viola. As a passionate chamber player, they have performed with a wide variety of ensembles, including chamber music side-by-sides with Cuarteto Quiroga and the LA Philharmonic Wind Quintet. In 2024, Olivia was awarded the Ross Peters 4MBS Chamber Prize for their performance of Schulhoff’s Concertino for Flute, Viola and Double Bass. Additionally, as a soloist they took part in and won the John Curro Viola Prize (2024). Olivia has always found a deep passion for orchestral performance. Their orchestral journey began back in 2019 with the Australian Youth Orchestra. This year marks Olivia’s seventh year with the AYO, and their second year as principal Viola of the Bishop Orchestra at National Music Camp. As a guest performer, Olivia has frequently appeared in concert with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and Ensemble Q.
In early 2026, Olivia will join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as their viola fellow through AYO’s Professional Immersion program, performing in concerts and participating in masterclasses with the orchestra. Alongside the fellowship, they have been appointed CoPrincipal Viola of the AYO Seasons Orchestra for 2026. Most notably, Olivia will also perform with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra next year as their newest academy viola fellow.
Phuong Do is a classical pianist currently completing his Bachelor of Music Performance (piano) honours. Currently studying under Bernard Lansky, Phuong has been taught by other significant teachers such as Oleg Stepanov and David Lockett. During his studies at the Conservatorium, Phuong has been awarded several prizes, including the Basil Jones sonata prize and the Margeret Nixon prize. In addition to this, Phuong has performed in various concerts as a soloist and a collaborative pianist such as Con Spirito, Lunch time recitals, Piano showcase and in various ensembles and orchestras.
In addition to being a pianist, Phuong has an interest in composition as well, having done a year in Bachelor of Music Composition at the Elder Conservatorium, studying under Charles Bodman Rae and Anne Cawrse, and participated in Paul Dean’s composition class. Phuong has performed several of his compositions at Lunch time concerts.
Amy Tashjian is an emerging flautist from Sydney, Australia. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at Queensland Conservatorium under the tutelage of Alison Mitchell and Tim Munro, and formerly studied at the Royal College of Music, London under the tutelage of Gitte Marcusson. She has played for some of the great flute players of the world including Michael Cox, Denis Bouriakov, Patricia Morris and Adam Walker.
Amy is very passionate about chamber music - she is a Southern Cross Soloists Next Gen Artist for 2025/6 as well as participating in the Hayes Street Studio Young Artist Program and a masterclass with the LA Philharmonic Wind Quintet. She has played Principal Flute with several ensembles including the QCGU Symphony Orchestra, University of London Symphony Orchestra, RCM Wind Ensemble and NSW Arts Unit Symphony Orchestra.
Concertmaster
Jonah Spriggs *
Ingram Fan*
Violin I
Lily Song
Emily Thompson
Miles Le Goullon
Melissa Buddle
Claire Yeung
Theodore Aitcheson
Mirage Hunter Demecs
Madison Sim
Ally Liu
Viola
Felix Hughes Chivers *
Jasmine Smith
Edison Richard
Jessica Fouche
Dylan Weder
Bass
Alyssa Deacon *
Sophia Buchanan *
Cooper Le Brocq
Violin II
Lisa Smith *
Luke Hammer *
Siobhan Mewes
Layla Mertz
Guy Tomlinson
Jade Leong
Eve Scott
Amalie Grime
Teresa Kao
Erika Johnson
Safia Hughes
Cello
Laura Boon *
Stirling Hall *
Caleb Christian
Liam Gane
Aaron Goldburg
James Pollard
*Principal
Piccolo
Laura Skorzewski *
Flute
Keisha Neale *
Amalia Safonova
Oboe
Liam Robinson *
Sylvia Caban
Clarinet
Hamish Cassidy *
Jethro Caitens
Bassoon
Ethan Henke*
Val Yip
Horn
Thomas FerreiraMontague *
Zachary Hayes
Declan McGillicuddy
Craig King
Trumpet
Sophie Donohue *
Matthew Brown
Trombone
Alex McLaughlin *
Dana Day
Bass Trombone
Theo Burnett*
Tuba
Drew Ferguson *
Timpani
Jaymee Homeming *
Percussion
Thomas Quelhurst *
Harp
Jon Trotta *
*Principal
Director Professor Bernard Lanskey
Deputy Director (Learning and Teaching)
Associate Professor
Donna Weston
Deputy Director (Research)
Prof. Brydie-Leigh Bartleet
Head of Ensembles & Orchestral Conducting
Professor Peter Morris
Head of Strings
Associate Professor Michelle Walsh
Head of Woodwind
Associate Professor
Tim Munro
Head of Brass
Dr. Ben Marks
Head of Percussion
Professor Vanessa Tomlinson
Head of Composition
Dr. Gerado Dirie
Head of Classical Voice
Assoc. Professor
Margaret Schindler
Conservatorium Manager
Stuart Jones
Front of House
Operations Manager
Michael Hibbard
Executive Officer (Engagement)
Dr Natalie Lewandowski-Cox
Technical Team Leader
Cameron Hipwell
Program Coordinator (Ensembles) & Orchestra Manager
Daniel Fossi
Operations Administrator
Clare Wharton
Technical Officers
Keith Clark, Amy Hauser, Len McPherson
Venue Officers
Grace Royle, Joshua White, Joseph Gale-Grant
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
140 Grey Street, South Bank 4101
Concert enquiries: (07) 3735 6241 griffith.edu.au/music griffith.edu.au/queenslandconservatorium
queenslandconservatorium.com.au
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Correct at time of publication
