Susan Collins, violin

performing Tchaikovsky's violin concerto, 20th September 2008

The Australian violinist Susan Collins returned to Australia in 1991, at the completion of her studies in Europe and America. From 1992 until 2001, Susan enjoyed a rewarding collaboration with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. In 2003 Susan was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal for "contribution to Australian society through opera and ballet". That year she moved to Germany, where she now lives with her German-born husband and their two daughters. Susan has recently been awarded the degree of Doctor of Creative Arts through the University of Wollongong.

Susan received the Diploma of the State Conservatorium of Music (Sydney) before going to Berlin where she studied at the HdK under Thomas Zehetmair in 1989. Susan received her Master of Music degree from Indiana University at Bloomington in 1991. Her primary field of study for this degree was Violin Performance, with a secondary field of Jazz Studies. Susan received a major grant from the Australia Council for this purpose. Prior to commencing tertiary study in Australia Susan was the recipient of a scholarship from California State University as well as from the American String Teachers Association, enabling her to study in the USA. She was awarded many scholarships and awards available to young Australian musicians. These included the Musicians Scholarship for Overseas Study (1986), the NSW Teachers Association Scholarship (1987), Sydney Conservatorium's Scarfe Award for Excellence (1987), and a Victorian Arts Council Scholarship to participate in Master Classes with Pinchas Zukerman in 1988.

During her years of study, Susan enjoyed a wide range of orchestral and chamber music experience. As a student at Sydney Conservatorium she was leader of the National Ensemble. Whilst studying in Berlin, she was a member of Ensemble Oriol. As a student at Indiana University, she was a member of that institutions distinguished Early Music Ensemble, working and performing with artists including Monica Huggett and John Holloway.

In 1992 Susan auditioned for and was awarded the position of Deputy Concertmaster of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, a position that she held until 2001. Throughout these years Susan regularly acted as Concertmaster for the AOBO, as well as accepting engagements as Guest Concertmaster for the, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the State Orchestra of Victoria and the Sydney Opera House Orchestra. She was also engaged by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the position of Guest Associate Concertmaster whilst on leave from the AOBO.

In 2002, Susan worked as Guest Concertmaster of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She also appeared as soloist in "Opera in the Vineyards" with Yvonne Kenny, performing works including Sarasate's Carmen Fantasie and Zigeunerweissen.

Since 2004 Susan has been performing with the Berlin Chamber Orchestra, with which she has also appeared as soloist. She has performed the Brahms violin concerto with Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in Sydney, and has enjoyed the opportunity to work with Symphony Australia as violin soloist for a conductor-training module with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

In addition Susan has recorded many times for ABC FM, 2MBS FM and 3MBS FM radio stations in live performance broadcasts as well as studio recorded recitals. She has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and has performed as recitalist throughout Australia and the USA, and in Europe. She has also enjoyed playing a great deal of chamber music. In 2005 Susan appeared twice in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Sunday Live series, performing duo recitals with cellist Sue-Ellen Paulsen in Hobart, and with pianist Paul Virag in Newcastle.

Susan has recently completed editing the complete works for violin and piano by the Australian composer Raymond Hanson. She has recorded these works with pianist David Miller. She has also recently formed a piano trio with Sue-Ellen Paulsen and the pianist Duncan Gifford.

Susan is currently the Head of Strings at Newcastle Conservatorium.