Topology (musical ensemble)

Members

Bernard studied viola at the Queensland Conservatorium (B.Mus 1987) and at Michigan State University (Master of Music 1993) with John Graham and Robert Dan. He studied in summer schools with Kim Kashkashian (Aldeborough), the Alban Berg Quartet and the Kronos Quartet. While in the US, he played with the Arlington Quartet, touring the US and UK. He was a violist in the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra from 1994-2000, and is now Associate Principal Violist of the Queensland Orchestra, playing solo parts in works such as the sixth Brandenburg Concerto. He has directed several concerts for the Queensland Philharmonic’s Off the Factory Floor chamber series.

Christa is a busy freelance musician. When she’s not playing with Topology, she plays a wide range of chamber music, her long-held passion (she won the 4MBS Chamber Music Prize for three years running—1989–91). She also plays orchestral music with the Queensland Orchestra, and gigs with bands and teaches contemporary violin techniques at the Queensland University of Technology. Christa studied at the Queensland Conservatorium with Carmel Kaine, obtaining her Master of Music in 1996, and in London with Emanuel Hurwitz of the Melos Ensemble. In London, she played with the Olyver Gypsy ensemble.

John studied saxophone at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music graduating with a Diploma in Jazz in 1987. He has worked extensively around Australia with various groups including the Queensland Orchestra, Tony Hobbs Big Band Theory, the Nasty Saxophone Quartet with Dale Barlow, and Big City (with whom he released an album of his own music). He has been a member of Topology since 1996 and during this time has toured to the USA, Canada and Indonesia, working with many composers including Terry Riley, Michael Nyman, Tim Brady and Jeremy Peyton-Jones.

(B.Mus., QLD Conservatorium, A. MUS. A.) is an experienced recording artist, accompanist, teacher, chamber ensemble performer and soloist, and has received acclaim internationally and locally as a pianist. Her time with William Corbett Jones in San Francisco has been a major influence on her understanding of piano performance style and ensemble work. Weirder gigs include performing as bait-gig backing artist for Savage Garden, and with Vulcana Women’s circus, cabaret with Kransky sister Annie Lee, and hard-core minimalist 60′s music/performance art.

Therese is in demand as both performer and teacher. Previous performance highlights include ABC broadcasts, Musica Viva Country Wide and In Schools touring, with Collusion. Recently, she has enjoyed performing with Topology, including collaborations with the Brodsky String Quartet, Grant Collins, Brisbane Festival, and Salihara Arts Festival in Indonesia. Other performance projects, through Ikon Music, feature quirky music-making with soprano Emma Baker-Spink and other kindred spirits. In 2009, Therese completed her training with the Golandsky Institute in New York to become the first certified Taubman Instructor in Australia. She teaches at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Young Conservatorium and privately.

Robert is currently a lecturer in Composition at the University of Queensland. Davidson studied composition with Terry Riley in California and New York, and completed a PhD in composition at the University of Queensland. He previously studied South Indian vocal music in Kerala, India. He was a bassist in the Australian Opera, Sydney Symphony, and Queensland Symphony orchestras before working as a freelance computer programmer. Davidson formed Topology with its four other principals in 1996. His compositions are regularly performed, recorded and broadcast around the world. All of Australia’s professional orchestras and many leading soloists and ensembles have commissioned and performed his works.

APRA Awards