Nuala McKenna initially began learning the piano with her father at only four years old before switching to the cello soon thereafter. After completing her studies with Ulf Tischbirek at Lübeck College of Music, with Jean-Guihen Queyras in Freiburg, Ivan Monighetti (Basel) and Conradin Brotbek (Stuttgart), she then went on to take a Master’s degree with Conradin Brotbek. This German-Irish musician has been a member of the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble since 2012 and has performed regularly with the Camerata RCO since 2014. During the 2013/14 season Nuala McKenna was an Academy Student at the Concertgebouw Orchestra and from 2015 to 2017 she was also an Academy Student with The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.
As a chamber musician, McKenna has already performed with renowned musicians such as Maria João Pires, Boris Garlitsky, Augustin Dumay, Miguel da Silva and Olli Mustonen. In addition, this cellist has appeared at various festivals including Verbier Festival, the Southwell Music Festival and has also founded her own family festival: The Musikfest Kahleby. In 2018/19 McKenna was a finalist in the Dutch Classical Talent Awards which took her on a solo tour through all the well-known halls of The Netherlands. Her debut album of works for solo cello will be released in 2021.
Born and raised in the Australian state of Queensland, Glenn Christensen is now a sought after soloist, chamber musician and guest soloist, both at home and abroad. Since 2020 he has been deputy concert master and leader of the 2nd violins with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, before which he was a full-time member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Between 2012 and 2014, he was first violin with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. In the 2023 season, this violinist will make guest appearances as leader of the 2nd violins with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks and as deputy concert master of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
In addition, Glenn Christensen has also appeared many times as soloist with the Deutschen Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. His performances have been broadcast live on ABC Classic FM. In addition, this musician has received a number of accolades including the Conservatorium Medal, the Music Medal and the University medal – and is also the first to receive all three awards. He has won the Kendall National Violin Competition and, as a member of the Lyrebird Trio, he also won the audience prize and the Piano Trio prize at the Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition. In 2018, Glenn Christensen founded a successful annual music festival in his hometown – the Mackay Chamber Music Festival.