Gemma Tomlinson – Strings Adjudicator
Australian born cellist, Gemma Tomlinson is a musician passionate about performing in various musical settings. As a chamber musician, soloist and orchestral musician, she enjoys performances in a wide variety of musical styles with a range of home-grown and international artists.
As an alumnus of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the Victorian College of the Arts and the Australian National Academy of Music, Gemma has received various awards for her efforts in her studies, including: the Corinna D'Hage String Scholarship, Lady Tumor Exhibition, John and Rosemary Travelling Scholarship and first place in the 4mbs (QLD), Melbourne University and ANAM Chamber Music Competitions. Maintaining regular studies with teachers including Howard Penny and Molly Kadarauch, Gemma also performed in masterclasses for visiting artists such as Pieter Wispelwey, Torleif Thedeen, Johannes Moser and the Brentano, Brodsky and Tokyo String Quartets.
Gemma has collaborated in chamber music performances with international musicians such as Anthony Marwood, Jack Liebeck, Victoria Sayles, and Brett Dean, and performed alongside the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. She has also enjoyed performances at Four Winds Bermagui, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, Melbourne Festival and the St. Lawrence String Quartet Seminar in Stanford, California.
As an avid supporter and performer of contemporary art music, Gemma is founding and current cellist of contemporary music ensemble Rubiks Collective, who have participated in various successful concerts since 2015, and eagerly anticipate their debut concert as Spotlight series artists at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Gemma has also shared the stage with groups Bang on a Can All Stars, and Grammy award winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird, which have supported her passion as a contemporary cellist.
Currently, Gemma is a Fellow of the Australian National Academy of Music, presenting a series titled She Speaks. The series is aimed at highlighting and celebrating the music of female composers from the Medieval Era right through to the present day.