Stephen King

Viola

Violist Stephen King returned from performing in the USA in 2003 to join the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Stephen is based in Sydney with his family, Kylie, Ollie and Sam, who put up with his frequent tours around Australia and overseas. Stephen grew up in Canberra and the viola only found him later in life when he studied with Elizabeth Morgan in Brisbane, then James Dunham and Michael Tree in the USA. From 1997 Stephen was violist of the Coolidge String Quartet based in Washington D.C., performing in venues from Carnegie Hall, to the Jerusalem Music Centre and Hong Kong's City Hall, and festivals including Aspen, Tanglewood and La Jolla.

Stephen holds a Doctorate in Chamber Music from the University of Maryland and has worked closely with the Emerson and Guarneri String Quartets. Before joining the ACO Stephen was Associate Principal Viola of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and played with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. He has been on the faculty of the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division in Boston, the American String Teachers Association Music Workshops and Australian Youth Orchestra's National Music Camp.

As the ACO's education representative since 2004 he has been instrumental in building the Orchestra's education and emerging artists programs and ACO2.

Stephen has also trained as an architect and still designs, renovates and makes furniture. He'd love to get out in his kayak more often too.

Chair sponsored by Philip Bacon AM.