Artists

Ensemble Offspring represents a diverse collection of Sydney's most talented young musicians. All the musicians have individual careers, performing in a range of contexts as international soloists, in the major orchestras and in rock bands. When the musicians come together as Ensemble Offspring, they are committed to trying out new ways of making music.

Damien Ricketson

Damien Ricketson is a composer and the Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring.  Much of Damien's music has been performed, and received critical acclaim through Ensemble Offspring as well as performances by many internationally renowned ensembles.  Damien's music is fragile and otherworldly - characterised by unusual timbres, exotic pitches and intricate textures.  Recent composition commissions have included the prestigious Warsaw Autumn Festival, the Transit Festival (Belgium), the Grainger Quartet (commissioned by Father Arthur Bridge)and ABC Classic FM. Damien completed a PhD at the Sydney Conservatorium where he also teaches. www.curiousnoise.com

Claire Edwardes

Percussionist, Claire Edwardes, is a leading interpreter of contemporary classical music and the Associate Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring.  Recent career highlights include concertos with the Radio Chamber Orchestra (The Netherlands), Melbourne Symphony and The Queensland Orchestra as well as solo festival appearances at the Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Music (UK) and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (Townsville).  In 2007 she was awarded an AMC/APRA award for outstanding contribution to Australian music, in 2005 she was the recipient of the MCA Freedman Fellowship and in 1999 she was named Australian Young Performer of the Year. www.claireedwardes.com

Roland Peelman

Roland Peelman is best known as the Artistic Director of The Song Company.  He is also Ensemble Offspring's resident conductor and keyboard player.  Through Roland's direction, The Song Company has developed into an international touring ensemble of the highest standard, appearing at major festivals throughout Australia, Asia and Europe.  He has also conducted the Australian Chamber Orchestra and directed numerous opera and music theatre productions.  Roland received the NSW State Award in the 2005 Classical Music Awards in recognition of his sustained contribution to Australian music. www.songcompany.com

Jason Noble

Jason Noble is a freelance clarinettist specialising in contemporary repertoire.  He has performed at prestigious festivals such as the Warsaw Autumn, Aldeburgh (UK), Sydney Spring Festival, and Sydney Film Festival.  As both a soloist and chamber musician Jason has appeared with Ensemble Offspring, Sonic Art Ensemble, Halcyon Ensemble, Synergy, and Sydney Childrens Choir.  He also teaches in the Musicology faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Bree van Reyk

Bree van Reyk is a successful cross-over percussionist maintaining a career in both classical and popular music.  As well as performing percussion (and occasional accordion) with Ensemble Offspring, Bree performs with Australia's leading percussion group Synergy and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra.  Bree also plays drum-kit for singer-songwriters Holly Throsby and Darren Hanlon and appears with many popular music acts including Rand & Holland, Charge Group, Coda and The Initials. www.hollythrosby.com

Veronique Serret

Violinist, Veronique Serret graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium before being awarded the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellowship and the Young Artist Chair with The Australian Chamber Orchestra.  Veronique recently returned from performing with the Malaysian Philharmonic.  In addition to her orchestral experience and involvement in Ensemble Offspring, Veronique is also active in the field of popular music with recent appearances at The Big Day Out, the Woodford Folk Festival, the ARIA awards and the Independent Film Awards.

Diana Springford

Diana Springford has played clarinet with Ensemble Offspring, Halcyon Ensemble, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Chambermaids Wind Quintet, Symphony Australia and the Sydney Wind Ensemble, among others, and has recorded for SBSTV, 2MBSFM and the ABC.  She has taught clarinet and saxophone for many years and, at the University of Wollongong, tutored and lectured all sorts of philosophy courses.  She is completing her PhD thesis on the philosophical understanding of the relationship between music and politics.

Geoffrey Gartner

Cellist, Geoffrey Gartner has performed all over the world in places as diverse as the Gobi Desert, on ships at sea and hundreds of feet underground in caves.  He is active as a cellist, conductor, musicologist and committed advocate of contemporary music.  Geoffrey is currently an Associate Lecturer in conducting at the University of California, San Diego, where he is completing Doctoral studies majoring in contemporary music performance.