Welcome to Country

The Australian String Quartet (ASQ) is Australia’s pre-eminent organisation dedicated to string quartet music and Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music.

Defined by excellence in performance and the joy of musical expression, the ASQ’s DNA comprises three inseparable parts. At the centre is the Quartet – four full-time musicians, each a creative force in crafting the world’s most dynamic and intimate music. Surrounding the Quartet is an innovative production company that presents, tours, records, and promotes exceptional artistry. Sustaining this, is a vital community of partners including a national Board, visionary Patron – Maria Myers AC, Major Partner – The University of Adelaide, Instrument Partner – UKARIA and Government Supporters.

Together, the ASQ celebrate music from the past to the present, from near and afar, and strive to reflect contemporary Australia through their performances, collaborations, advocacy, learning programs, and development of new work. Their landmark ASQ Australian Music Fund, supports the ensemble’s ground-breaking Australian Anthology project that proudly champions the work of Australian artists.

In their 40th year, they are energised by their purpose to create chemistry and amplify intimacy through experiences that engage people across regional and metropolitan Australia and around the world.

Dale Barltrop plays a 1784 Guadagnini Violin, Turin
Francesca Hiew plays a 1748-49 Guadagnini Violin, Piacenza
Chris Cartlidge plays a 1783 Guadagnini Viola, Turin
Michael Dahlenburg plays a c.1743 Guadagnini Violoncello, Piacenza ‘Ngeringa’

Photo credit: Laura Manariti

Timothy Young is a founding member of Ensemble Liaison and Head of Piano at the Australian National Academy of Music. One of Australia’s leading pianists his recent activity includes touring Australia with violinist Ray Chen for Castiglione Arts and Culture, performing in the Boulez Saal season in Berlin with Soprano Siobhan Stagg and touring NZ with Ensemble Liaison for Chamber Music NZ.

As a concerto soloist  highlights include a performance of Messiaen’s ‘Turangalilia Symphony’ at Hamer Hall with the Australian World Orchestra and conductor Simone Young, the Ravel Concerto with the MSO and conductor Benjamin Northey at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, play/directing a Mozart Concerto from the keyboard for the Mostly Mozart Series at the MRC with the ANAM Orchestra, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Ginastera’s Piano Concerto n.1 with conductor Ilyich Rivas, Stravinsky’s Concerto for piano and winds with Paul Dean, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with Fabian Russell.

Frequent festival appearances include all of Australia’s major festivals and internationally the Novi Sad Music Summer Festival in Serbia, the Kotor Arts International Festival in Montenegro, MIMIR Festival Texas, and the Capraia Festival of Music in Italy.

Timothy’s internationally acclaimed discography champions Australian composers with a recent release for ABC Classics of Australian chamber works written for Ensemble Liaison and the complete works of Stuart Greenbaum for clarinet and piano with David Griffiths. For the Tall Poppies label he has recorded Australian piano and cello works with cellist, David Pereira. For Heritage Records UK with Penelope Thwaites he features in the complete two piano music of Percy Grainger. For the MOVE record label he has recorded Michael Kieran-Harvey’s Symphony without orchestra and for the Melba label in Australia he has recorded a solo recital of works by the Australian George Frederick Boyle, along with numerous collaborations with violist Roger Benedict, and the complete works of Stravinsky for piano and violin with violinist Ray Chen. Other recital discs include performances with soprano Cheryl Barker and virtuoso violin and piano works with Christian Li for the distinguished Decca label UK.

Svetlana was born in Belgrade, Serbia, into a family of prominent Yugoslavian musicians. She studied at the prestigious Special High School of the Tchaikovsky Conservatorium of Music, Moscow, the Peabody Conservatorium, Baltimore, and the Cologne Hochschule of Music. In her student years she worked with legendary cellists, Daniil Shafran, Boris Pergamenshikov and Antonio Janigro. Even before she could perform, she was on stage at age six turning pages for her mother in performance with cellist André Navarra.

In her professional years she has toured Europe, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand as a soloist and chamber musician including recent performances at the Belgrade International Cello Festival and the KotorArt festival in Montenegro.

As an orchestral musician she held the position of Associate Principal Cello with the Rheinische Philharmonie and has worked with the North German Radio Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker, Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony and Singapore Symphony Orchestras.

Svetlana is a founding member of Ensemble Liaison and as part of this trio, performs on the stages of Australia’s most prestigious concert halls including the Melbourne Recital Centre along with regular performances for Musica Viva, ABC Classic FM, and appearances at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Port Fairy and Woodend festivals.

She has collaborated with many wonderful Australian and international artists including Nemanja Radulovic, Kathryn Stott, Dale Baltrop, Ray Chen, Henning Kraggerud, Konstantin Shamray, Yura Lee, Jennifer Stumm, Emma Matthews, Cheryl Barker, Peter Coleman-Wright, Wilma Smith, Paul Grabowsky, David Jones and Tony Gould.

Svetlana is a leading cello teacher far and wide and teaches cello and chamber music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne.

Tim is an experienced and active Australian violinist based in Canberra.

As a member of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra for more than 20 years, he regularly performs a wide range of symphonic repertoire, including works by contemporary Australian composers.

Beyond orchestral work, Tim is active in chamber music and collaborative projects, including outreach initiatives that bring live music to diverse and under-served audiences, including aged-care settings and other community centres.

He has toured and performed in remote and regional parts of Australia, as well as destinations in Singapore, Malaysia, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.

Tim enjoys performing and listening to a wide range of music and is also an avid contemporary electric violin enthusiast!

Tom Fell is a Canberra-based saxophonist, composer and educator who has been active in the city’s music community for more than 15 years. He works primarily in jazz and improvised music, performing regularly in small ensembles, collaborative projects and festival settings. Alongside his performing career, Tom teaches saxophone and directs jazz ensembles at Canberra Grammar School. He has also previously taught at the Australian National University School of Music, contributing to both tertiary and community music programs.

Tom’s work often involves collaboration with leading Australian improvisers and musicians from across the contemporary music scene. His performances span a range of contexts, from traditional jazz settings through to interdisciplinary projects that bring together music, visual art and other creative practices. In 2025 he released his debut album Mantra, a collection of original compositions recorded with pianist Steve Barry, bassist Chris Pound and drummer Nick McBride.