MUSICIANs

THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA

Violin

French-Australian violinist Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba first found his calling at the age of five when he chose a violin lesson over a BMX for his birthday.

His childhood, divided between Hobart and the small French village of Colombier-Fontaine was filled with busking at local markets and rehearsing with his first string quartet, ‘Tasmanic’. This formative eight year collaboration culminated in the quartet showcasing Australian music at the Festival Internationale de Musique Universitaire (Fimu) in France in 2003.

After several years of mentorship with Peter Tanfield in Tasmania, Thibaud studied at the Australian National Academy of Music with Paul Wright and Bill Hennessy, where he won the ANAM chamber music competition in 2011. During this time, Thibaud further developed his passion for chamber music; studying and performing with members of the Brodsky Quartet, Nicolas Altstaedt, Alban Gerhardt and Anthony Marwood. In 2013, he was selected to join the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy in Dortmund, Germany.

In 2014, Thibaud became an Emerging Artist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra under the mentorship of Zoe Black and Helena Rathbone, after which he became a part-time member of the orchestra for four years. In 2015 he was a fellow with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Thibaud continues to perform on projects basis with the SSO, while also embracing projects with Sydney Dance Company and performing at national festivals such as the Australian World Orchestra Chamber Festival, Adelaide Festival and the Canberra International Music Festival.

In 2024, Thibaud passed his trial period and is now a full-time member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Thibaud plays a violin by Giovanni Battista Gabrielli, c.1756.

ANNA ALBERT

Violin & CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Anna began violin lessons in Sydney at the age of 5. She graduated from Sydney University in 2001 with a BMus in Violin Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in French.  Her love of the french language lead to an exchange to McGill University in Montreal during her final years where she studied violin, conducting and french.   

Having fallen in love with Montreal, Anna decided to complete her postgraduate studies at McGill University, studying with Ellen Jewett receiving a Licenciate Diploma in Violin Performance in 2004. During this time she developed an avid love of chamber music, whilst also touring nationally with the Orchestre de la Francophonie and attending the Domaine Forget summer academy, studying with Yehonotan Berick.

Since returning to Australia Anna has worked as a freelance violinist in Sydney, currently performing with the Opera Australia Orchestra who she has played with since 2005. She has also performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra. Keen to revisit the northern hemisphere Anna attended the Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg where she studied with Yair Kless. 

Anna has been a member of the Sydney Art Quartet since 2016, and Co-Artistic Director since 2023.

Anna plays a violin by Paolo Castello, c.1774.

ANDREW JEZEK

Viola & Co-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Andrew began his musical journey on the piano at the tender age of six and added violin to the mix at his primary school in Canberra so he could join the local youth orchestra society. He studied viola with Vincent Edwards and Charmian Gadd at the Australian National University, Canberra School of Music, graduating with honours in 1991.

With a strong desire to explore his central European roots for a couple of years, Andrew continued his studies in Europe with scholarships at at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich with Jürgen Weber (viola) and the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna with Karl Österreicher (conducting).

Andrew was co-principal viola in the renowned Viennese contemporary music ensemble Klangforum Wien from 1996 to 2013, and has performed at most major contemporary music festivals in Europe.

Andrew has had the great fortune to work closely with some of the foremost contemporary composers including Georges Aperghis, Luciano Berio, Beat Furrer, Georg Friedrich Haas, Enno Poppe, Helmut Lachenmann, Salvatore Sciarrino.

Andrew was also strongly involved in the avantgarde music scene in Vienna and delved into many genres as a member of the Vienna Art Orchestra, MozartBand (ever heard an electrified viola with a wah-wah pedal?) and active in the improvised jazz scene.

In 2013, Andrew relocated to Sydney and now performs regularly with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra, and as guest principal viola with the Australian and Opera Ballet Orchestra and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of the Australian World Orchestra.

Andrew has been a member of the Sydney Art Quartet since 2019, and Co-Artistic Director since 2023.

Andrew plays a Anton Kreutzinger viola, c. 1908.

ANDREW HINES

CELLO

Andrew Hines was born in England, had his early education in Australia, and then returned to England in his teens to study at the Purcell School, the Royal Academy of Music, and finally the Guildhall School of Music with Prof. Stefan Popov. He also studied with the Amadeus, Borodin, LaSalle and Alban Berg Quartets.

On completing his studies Andrew became an active member of a number of chamber ensembles, touring Europe and the Far East with the Parnassus Ensemble, which recorded and broadcast in Italy and Germany to critical acclaim.

In 1992 he became a member of the Medea Quartet, who were Quartet in Residence at York University and Fellows of the Royal Academy of Music. The quartet performed extensively throughout Britain and Europe until 1997.

Andrew performed as soloist in England, Europe and the Far East, and undertook freelance orchestral work in England and Scotland. After a brief twenty-three year stint with Opera Australia Orchestra, Andrew resigned from his position to be able to enjoy freelance work and gardening.

Andrew plays a Gagliano cello, c.1807.