16 Strings String Quartet Brisbane

Allana Wales – First Violin

Allana Wales (violin) completed a Master of Music Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. Her prior study was completed with Elizabeth Morgan at The Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. In 2007 she appeared as soloist with the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra performing Bartok’s first violin concerto. She is presently a core member of the Camerata of St. John’s - Queensland’s professional string ensemble - and also performs with The Queensland Orchestra. Allana holds an L.Mus.A and ATCL and has performed with Australian artists such as Piers Lane, William Barton and Katie Noonan. She is also a qualified teacher of the F.M. Alexander Technique.

Josie Fitzgerald – Second Violin

Josie Fitzgerald (violin) started playing violin from a young age. Josie has been performing at weddings, functions and competing in eisteddfods and other competitions for a number of years. She has just finished her second qualification in the field of music; a Graduate diploma, after firstly completing a Bachelor of Performance on the violin at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Josie has played with many orchestras including the Queensland Youth Orchestra, Conservatorium Chamber and Symphony Orchestras and attended Australian Youth Orchestras programs. Also a keen teacher, Josie has a large number of private violin and piano students to which she passes on her knowledge of music. 

Laurelie Wall - Viola

Laurelie Wall (viola) was introduced to her first set of strings at age 8, and has since had the privilege to perform in Italy, Austria, Singapore and more recently with the Richmond orchestra in London. Closer to home, Laurelie received her AMus A (Violin) in 2008, played both violin and viola prolifically within the Somerville House music programme, and was principal 2nd violinist in the Queensland Youth Orchestra 2. She currently plays viola in the Queensland Youth Symphony whilst completing her Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at the University of Queensland. Laurelie loves the rich mellowness her viola contributes to the sound of the string quartet and is delighted that through 16 Strings she can share her music with others.

Tom Witten – Cello

Tom Witten (cello) has been playing the cello since the age of six and has performed with ensembles in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In 2007 Tom was the winner of the Rick Farbach Jazz Scholarship presented by the Noosa Federation of the Arts. Tom is currently completing a Bachelor of Music (Performance) on cello, studying with Gwyn Roberts at the University of Queensland with his third year to commence in 2010. Tom has played with various groups including the Watergate String Quartet as well as being principal cellist with the Vivace String Ensemble and the Brisbane Nazerene Concert Orchestra. Tom has also played piano, guitar and electric bass with various popular music groups and church bands, as well as playing electric bass with Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra.