Graeme McKean

I enjoyed a successful career as a viola player and teacher in Australia and Europe for many years. My music degree is from Melbourne University, I did post-grad studies in Germany and got my first job there, playing opera. I returned to Australia and had a principal position with the opera and ballet orchestra in Melbourne - now Orchestra Victoria - while also playing with the MSO ASO and TSO. I also spent some time as guest principal viola in the ACO and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra before moving to London, where I stayed for 25 years. While I was a busy player in London I also held a teaching position at Queenswood, taught at Trinity College of Music Junior department and was tutor in viola orchestral studies at Oxford University. I was a member of the London Chamber Orchestra and was a busy freelance player working mainly with the English Chamber Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Philharmonia, BBC, Royal Philharmonic as well as in film and television. Amongst many other films, I’m playing on the sound track for the Lord of the Rings films.
Since being back in Brisbane I’ve played mostly chamber music or contemporary music with Southern Cross Soloists and Topology, as well as some Camerata and QSO.
My main focus now is teaching. As well as private students I held a position at St Peter’s for several years. I now maintain just my private practice. I’m the viola section tutor for QYS. Several of the QYS section are my students and I have violin students in both QYS and QYO2 also at the moment.
I am not experienced at teaching beginners. Developing technique and musicality from grade 6 and above is where my strengths lie. I enjoy trouble shooting technical problems and building technique as well as nurturing musical maturity. While I know the advanced viola repertoire intimately and have played all the major repertoire I have experience of teaching violin repertoire at diploma level as well.
I live in Toowong, a three minute walk from Toowong station. I have a dedicated studio with an open aspect looking over the river.