Murray River Fine Music

05/09/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: With more than 20 years in the world of circus, Albury-based performer Seth Scheuner brings a wealth of experience, creativity and storytelling to the stage. A graduate of both The Flying Fruit Fly Circus and the National Circus School in Montréal, Seth has toured extensively across Australia, specialising in aerial hoop and captivating audiences through a combination of athleticism, artistry and imagination.
But Seth’s passion extends beyond performing. He also loves directing shows and mentoring the next generation of young artists — and that’s where this project becomes particularly special. Working with the young performers from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus has been an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, filled with plenty of beautiful (and sometimes chaotic!) moments as they have embraced the challenge of bringing the music of Ravel and Bizet to life in a completely new way. 🎶✨ This exciting collaboration between Murray River Fine Music and The Flying Fruit Fly Circus brings together two organisations with deep roots in the Albury/Wodonga community. Don't miss your chance to see the results of Seth's amazing direction in the Children's Games and Mother Goose concert on Saturday 12th September at 2pm at The Cube Wodonga Wodonga with .joy.briggs and Grace Kernaghan on piano. Tickets at the Cube box office or website.

03/09/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Meet Michael Fortescue — an exceptional double bassist, improviser, educator and community arts advocate whose musical journey spans decades of orchestral performance, experimentation and collaboration. Michael performed with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra from 1976 to 2013, while continuing to explore an extraordinarily broad range of musical styles. He studied double bass in with Jan Sedivka, and later in Paris, where he gained performance and teaching diplomas from the François Rabbath Institute and the Conservatoire Lili et Nadia Boulanger.

As a performer, Michael is particularly passionate about free improvisation and text-based performance, creating music that responds to the moment and embraces spontaneity. He has performed solo and in small ensembles across a wide variety of musical styles. His contribution to music extends well beyond performance. Michael has taught double bass and improvisation at the Tasmanian Conservatorium and has played an active role in Australia's arts community, serving as State President and National Vice President of the Musicians Union of Australia, as well as serving on the Music Board of the Australia Council, the Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board and the boards of organisations including the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Youth Orchestra and KickStart Arts.

Perhaps one of the most important chapters of Michael's musical life is his work with Second Echo Ensemble, an all-abilities performance group, where he serves as Musical Director. For Michael, this work represents a completely different way of making music. Reflecting on his first experience working with performers with Down syndrome in Paris in the 1980s, Michael describes being struck not by a sense of charity, but by the artistic possibilities. From the concert hall to experimental performance, from orchestral music to improvisation, Michael Fortescue's career is a wonderful reminder that music can be both deeply skilled and endlessly open to discovery. Get your tickets from The Cube Wodonga to see Michael live with the Lior/Westlake octet performance of Compassion.

01/09/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: From Bonn, Germany, to Melbourne’s vibrant music scene, cellist Charlotte Jacke has built an extraordinary and wonderfully diverse musical career. Charlotte graduated in cello performance from the Universität der Künste Berlin in 2006, where she went on to work as an assistant and seminar lecturer. Her musical journey has included orchestral workshops with two of the world’s most celebrated conductors, Sir Simon Rattle and Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
But Charlotte’s musical world extends far beyond classical music. 🎶 As a member of the Berlin-based jazz orchestra Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra, she toured extensively throughout Germany, Switzerland and Korea, and featured on the ensemble’s 2009 release Take Off.
Since moving to Melbourne in 2009, Charlotte has become an active and highly sought-after performer and instrumental teacher. She regularly performs as a freelance cellist across solo, chamber and orchestral settings, collaborating with ensembles including Orchestra Victoria, Arcko Symphonic Project, 3 Shades Black, Click Clack Project, Melbourne Ring Orchestra, Resonant Bodies Melbourne and the Australian Art Orchestra.
Charlotte is also a familiar presence in Australia’s contemporary and popular music scene, working as both a session and live musician with an impressive range of artists and groups including The Cat Empire, Passenger, Chet Faker, Vika & Linda, The Bamboos, Bobby Fox, Paul Kelly and Tim Rogers.
Her versatility has also taken her into the worlds of film and theatre, where she has contributed her distinctive musicianship to film scores, albums and stage productions.
From classical concert halls to jazz stages, recording studios and theatre productions, Charlotte Jacke is a truly versatile artist whose cello brings colour, character and artistry to every musical setting.
We are delighted to shine the spotlight on Charlotte and celebrate the remarkable breadth of experience and musicianship she brings to the stage - don't miss your chance to see her live in Wodonga on Sunday September 13 2pm as part of the Lior/Westlake octet 'Compassion'. Get your tickets from The Cube Wodonga now.

31/08/2026

Thanks to Jodie O'Sullivan for the excellent article about our upcoming festival 😍🙏

When the piano keys start to play, circus performers will leap and tumble their way into the magical, musical world…

30/08/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Meet William Vyvyan Murray — an internationally acclaimed violist, chamber musician and composer whose love of music has taken him around the world. William has led viola sections in orchestras in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin, and has performed with some of Europe’s leading ensembles, including the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Brandenburg State Orchestra, Berliner Kammerorchester and many others.
His musical career has taken him to some of the world’s great concert halls, including the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Berlin Philharmonie, Frankfurt Alte Oper, Salle Pleyel in Paris, Hamer Hall in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House.
A passionate chamber musician, William has performed alongside internationally renowned artists including David Geringas, Antje Weithaas, Bruno Giuranna, Rainer Honeck, Salvatore Accardo, Philippe Graffin, Rocco Filippini and Peter Buck.
His studies have taken him from the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne to the UdK Berlin, the CNSM de Paris, the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana and the Sweelinck Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He completed two Masters degrees, studying with legendary violist Bruno Giuranna and later becoming one of Nobuko Imai’s only full-time students. William has also been invited to perform at many of Europe’s leading music festivals, including Verbier, Prussia Cove, Kuhmo, Chigiana, Lugano, Mantova and the Otaru Festival in Japan.
William is also an accomplished composer and arranger, his original works have been performed throughout Australia, Europe and Asia, including at the Tokyo Viola Space Festival. Throughout his career, William has continued to learn from many of the world's leading violists, including Kim Kashkashian, Lawrence Power, Yuri Bashmet and Antoine Tamestit.
William performs on a beautiful composite viola made by Antonio and Hieronymus Amati in Cremona in 1620 — an instrument with more than four centuries of musical history. Don't miss your chance to catch him live in Wodonga as part of the MRFM Ensemble performing Lior/Westlake's Compassion on Sunday 13 September at 2pm at The Cube Wodonga

28/08/2026

Originally from Japan, Yuhka Nagai is an accomplished violinist and dedicated educator whose musical journey has taken her from Tokyo to London, New Zealand and now Melbourne. Yuhka graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2014, studying with Mayumi Fujikawa. Her extensive musical education also includes degrees from Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, MA studies in Performance, diplomas from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and the LRAM teaching qualification from the Royal Academy of Music.

An active soloist, chamber musician and orchestral performer, Yuhka has performed at prestigious venues including Cadogan Hall, St James Piccadilly and the Old Royal Naval College Chapel in London. In Japan, she was selected as leader of the Musashino Academia Symphony Orchestra for three years. Her chamber music career has seen her perform with numerous ensembles, including the piano quartet Blüte, which won Third Prize in the 1st Memorial Tokyo Art Chamber Music Competition, and the Kodo Quartet, selected for the Richard Carne Mentorship programme and the 2015 Richard Carne Intercollegiate String Quartet Competition.

Yuhka has also been passionate about introducing audiences to Japanese music. During her time in London, she presented works by Japanese composers such as Hikaru Hayashi, helping bring this repertoire to wider audiences in the UK. Her musical development has extended beyond traditional performance training. Yuhka has explored mental training with Dr Shuichi Tsuji and the Alexander Technique, developing approaches to enhance both musical performance and teaching.

Her professional journey has included the APO Manchester Fellowship Programme, performances with the Auckland Philharmonia, and membership of NZBarok. Since moving to Melbourne in 2025, Yuhka has continued her busy career as both performer and teacher. She has taught strings at John Monash Science School and performed with the Melbourne Baroque Orchestra, Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra and other ensembles. Catch Yuhka live in Concert 4: Lior Westlake Compassion - tickets at The Cube Wodonga

26/08/2026

We’re just delighted that our upcoming festival includes a collaboration with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Nearly half a century on, the Border-based Fruities are a national treasure – and the national school for circus training for young people.
Join us at The Cube Wodonga for ‘Children’s Games and Mother Goose’, featuring the brilliant young stars of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus in a show directed by Seth Scheuner, with music by Georges Bizet and Maurice Ravel, performed on one piano, four hands, by Grace Kernaghan and Miriam Joy Briggs.

French composers like Bizet and Ravel loved to write music that celebrates the joy of childhood. Bizet’s Children’s Games graphically evokes toys like a spinning top, dolls and wooden horses, games and nursery rhymes. Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite introduces us to five stories from classic fairy tales, including Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb and Beauty and the Beast.

We look forward to seeing you on the weekend of 11 September - get your tickets from The Cube before they sell out!

Book now for a festival pass for added benefits as we celebrate The Art of Wonder of Consolation.

24/08/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Meet Kaori Sparks — a remarkable musician with a passion for chamber music! 🇯🇵🇦🇺
Born in Japan, Kaori Sparks (née Nogi) began playing violin at just four years old and piano at seven. She went on to study at Musashino Music University in Tokyo, receiving honours in violin, violin-piano duet, chamber music and orchestra performance before graduating in 2002.
Her career has taken her across the world. Between 2004–2006, Kaori toured Europe five times with the Tokyo-Budapest String Quartet and Tokyo-Budapest Ensemble, under renowned clarinetist and conductor Kálmán Berkes. During this time she also performed with the Salzburg Festival Orchestra and Hungarian National Orchestra.
After moving to Australia with her family in 2009, Kaori became increasingly dedicated to music education and opened her own music studio in Thurgoona in 2013.
Her connection to the local classical music community has a particularly special story. Following the devastating 2011 earthquake in northern Japan, including her home prefecture of Fukushima, Kaori organised three charity concerts around Albury, bringing together many generous local musicians. It was at the final concert that she met pianist Helena Kernaghan — the beginning of a wonderful musical partnership.
In late 2025, Kaori and Helena made their formal debut as Duo Gaku 楽, premiering Gordon Kerry’s New Violin Sonata No. 2, commissioned by Carolyn Masel especially for the duo.
Kaori’s love of chamber music has also seen her collaborate with outstanding musicians including clarinetist David Griffith, soprano Merlyn Quaife, violinist Markiyan Melnychenko and violist Simon Oswell.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Kaori live in Concert 4 with Lior on Sunday 13 September!
🎟️ Tickets are selling fast — secure yours now! https://www.thecubewodonga.com.au/Whats-On/ArtMID/1766/ArticleID/13727
Duo Gaku 楽 Kaori Sparks Violin Services

22/08/2026

A huge thank-you to the amazing team at Big Agency who have provided us with the most beautiful artwork and program designs for the past 5 years. We couldn't be more grateful for the support from Simon McMaster and the talents of Gerard Salcedo for creating this amazing festival program. With detailed notes about the works by our artistic advisor, Gordon Kerry, who coordinated the venture, this is a keepsake for music lovers and can be accessed in full digital format on the following link https://www.thecubewodonga.com.au/Portals/1/Downloads/2026/MRFM_Festival26_Program.pdf?ver=rvvDfFxWGbTxS3yzsug-zw%3d%3d
Grassroots support from community-minded organisations like Big Agency are what has made the MRFM journey a possibility to date - thank-you all 🙏😍
The Cube Wodonga

20/08/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Our artistic director, pianist Helena Kernaghan will be performing as part of the MRFM Ensemble for the upcoming performance of Lior & Nigel Wetlake's 'Compassion'. With a career spanning the concert stage, chamber music and music education, Helena is a passionate and accomplished pianist whose musical journey has taken her from Australia to Singapore, Europe and the UK — and back home to the Murray region. Most recently, Helena has embarked on an exciting new musical partnership with violinist Kaori Sparks, forming Duo Gaku 楽. In 2025, the duo premiered and recorded Gordon Kerry’s Violin Sonata No. 2.
After graduating with a Master of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2005, Helena established herself as a sought-after chamber musician, accompanist and soloist. Her performance highlights include studying and performing internationally with the Abraxas Trio, appearing as soloist in Messiaen’s Oiseaux exotiques at Government House Melbourne and performing and recording from memory Stravinsky’s Le Sacre du printemps for two pianos with Will Poskitt.
Since moving to Albury in 2006, Helena has played a major role in shaping the region’s musical life. She is a founding member of Orpheus Trio, was the founding Artistic Director of the Albury Chamber Music Festival (2016–2019), and is the current Artistic Director of Murray River Fine Music.
Her musical collaborations have been wonderfully diverse, working with artists including Dutch thereminist Thorwald Jørgensen, American pianist Donna Coleman, Australian soprano Merlyn Quaife AM, tenor Shanul Sharma, Ukrainian-Australian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko, soprano Ayşe Göknur Shanal as well as with her father, Elvis Tribute artist Col T Jackson 🕺.
From intimate chamber performances to major concert works, Helena continues to bring curiosity, collaboration and a deep love of music to audiences across the region and beyond.
Don't miss your chance to catch Helena live on Sunday 13 September with Lior and the MRFM Ensemble - get your tickets now: https://www.thecubewodonga.com.au/Whats-On/ArtMID/1766/ArticleID/13727