The Quartet

William Hennessy AM

William Hennessy AM has long been acknowledged as one of Australia’s leading violinists and music educators. He was the Founder and Leader of the Australian String Quartet (1985-96) and has made over 250 concerto solo appearances with Australian orchestras. Since 2006 he has been Artistic Director of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. William Hennessy was founding deputy leader of ACO, a member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in London for three years then Concertmaster of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. He was Head of Strings at the University of Melbourne for a decade during which time he played a major role in assisting the development of many musicians and chamber ensembles who now enjoy high professional profiles. He remains deeply committed to musicians of the future.

Markiyan Melnychenko

Ukrainian-Australian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko has performed in 17 countries, including solo performances in New York (Alice Tully Hall), Washington DC (Kennedy Centre), and with orchestras in Australia, Japan, Ukraine and the United States. He is a multiple first prize winner in national and international competitions and in 2013 performed at the luncheon for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration. Markiyan studied at the Eastman School of Music with Oleh Krysa, where he was awarded the prestigious Artist’s Certificate, being the first violinist to receive this distinction in over 50 years. Previous studies were with Alice Waten and William Hennessy. Markiyan is a Lecturer in Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Principal 1 st Violin of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.

Keith Crellin OAM

Keith Crellin OAM was the first violist to win the ABC Young Performer of the Year Award and in 1985 became the founding violist of the widely acclaimed Australian String Quartet, a position he held for 16 years. He was Associate Professor, Head of Strings and Conductor in Residence at the University of Adelaide between 2001and 2015 and has been Artistic Director of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra since 2003. Since 2006 he has been Adjunct Professor in Strings and Chamber Music at the University of Tasmania. He has long played a major role in Australian musical life as performer, teacher, conductor and mentor. In 2008 was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding contribution to music and music education. His performing, conducting, teaching and composing activities continue to blossom.

Michael Dahlenburg

Michael Dahlenburg has high profile as both cellist and conductor. As a cellist, Michael has appeared in many countries as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, recording artist and teacher. He is a founding member of the acclaimed Hamer Quartet who won First Prize, Grand Prize and Audience Prize at the 2009 Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition. In 2009 Hamer Quartet were named in ‘The Age’ magazine's Top 100 Most Influential and in the Limelight magazine 2009 awards as Best Newcomer. Michael is also a member of ARTARIA, an ensemble whose debut CD will be launching in 2018. Michael regularly conducts the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and has conducted the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, ANAM Orchestra and orchestras at national and state music camps.