Ann-Marie Oates
B.Mus (Perf), B.Mus.T (Studio/Primary), A.Mus.A
Ann-Marie Oates is a full time flute teacher who teaches at several private schools in Adelaide as well as privately in her own home. She graduated from the Adelaide University in 1991 after completing a Bachelor of Music (Performance) and in 2001, completed a Bachelor of Music Teaching (studio and primary), at the Flinders St. School of Music.
In 1996, Ann-Marie received the Associate Diploma in Music for her flute performance from the Australian Music Examinations Board. After completing this exam, she then traveled with the Flutes of Adelaide to Paris and London. She attended the William Bennett Summer School, played for Michael Cox (principal flute in the BBC Symphony) in his masterclass at the Royal Academy of Music and also attended masterclasses with Kirsten Spratt in London and Sophie Cherrier at the Paris Conservatoire. Since that time, she has continued to enhance her musical education by attending and performing in as many courses as possible, both with interstate and international artists.
Ann-Marie’s love of ensemble playing and her desire for more performance work lead her to forming the flute quartet. In conjunction with the other founding members, Kshema was developed and the ambitions for the quartet grew. The quartet has continued to grow and expand over the years and is always seeking new opportunities.
Alana Probert
B.Mus.Hon., A.Mus.A
B.Mus.Hon., A.Mus.A
Alana Probert graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree with first class honours from the Elder Conservatorium in 2001 and is currently studying with Elizabeth Koch for a Certificate in Orchestral Studies. She is also completing a Graduate Diploma in Education. In 2000 she received a distinction for her A.Mus.A exam.
During her time at Adelaide University, she has been both principal and second flute with the Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, Elder New Music Ensemble and Elder Conservatorium Wind Ensemble. Recently, she travelled to Europe with the Elder New Music Ensemble being invited to perform at the St. Magnus Festival in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. She also performed with the ensemble at the 2000 and 2001 Barossa Music Festivals, which included Spring Academy Masterclasses with Lorraine Vallancourt and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
Alana has performed with Le Nem, a contemporary ensemble from Montreal, Canada and was also cast member for Joanna Dudley’s music theatre music theatre production When In Doubt Do Not Use Your Knife. She also played in the Adelaide Harmony Choir Orchestra for their production, Creation by Haydn, with conductor John Hall.
Over the past four years, Alana has performed regularly at Elder Conservatorium Lunch Hour Concerts and annually for Recitals Australia. As well as her work with Kshema, she regularly performs with didgeridoo player Alistair Black for corporate functions and has enjoyed touring and recording with Adelaide rock bank Chalice.
Karen Fletcher
B.Mus.(Perf) Hon., L.Mus.A
B.Mus.(Perf) Hon., L.Mus.A
Karen Fletcher commenced tuition at the University of Adelaide when awarded an Orchestral Scholarship for single study in flute with Zdenek Bruderhans in 1985.
She completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance) Degree in 1988 and a Bachelor of Music (Performance) Honours Degree in 1989 both at the University of Adelaide.
In 1989 Karen was awarded the Licentiate Diploma of Music in Flute from the Australian Music Examinations Board. She received prizes from the AMEB for Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Grade Flute Examinations and a Seventh Grade Practice of Music Scholarship.
Karen has an established teaching practice at private schools in Adelaide and at her home studio. She has also had many years experience directing flute and wind ensembles in schools.
Karen has performed as a casual orchestral member for touring productions and in numerous small ensembles performing at chamber concerts, weddings and private functions. Her performance experience is not confined only to the classical genre; she has been a member of TNT Latino (Adelaide’s premiere Latin Band) and also was a member of the Australian Army Reserve Band for six years.
Karen currently serves as the Vice-President of the Flute Society of South Australia Incorporated and enjoys organizing events within the flute community.
In 2005 Karen traveled with The Flutes of Adelaide on their Study Trip to Europe. She played at masterclasses with Susan Milan at the Royal College of Music and Michael Cox at the Royal Academy of Music, London, with Felix Renggli at the Basel Conservatoire, Switzerland, and with Philippe Bernold, Paris. Karen was thrilled to meet Sir James Galway in Lucerne and she also attended masterclasses with Paul Edmund Davies in London and Sophie Cherrier at the Paris Conservatoire.
Karen joined Kshema in 2004 and finds performing with the quartet immensely satisfying.
Linda Pirie
B.Mus (Perf) Hon., L.Mus.A
Linda is a freelance flautist in Adelaide, where she has performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia, English National Ballet and Adelaide Art Orchestra. She also performs with the flute quartet Kshema, prize winners at the Australian Flute Festival.
Past teachers include Michael Scott at the Sydney Conservatorium, Louise Dellt &, Elizabeth Koch for post-graduate study at Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium. Living in the United Kingdom facilitated lessons and input from Susan Milan, Peter Lloyed &, and Michael Cox.
Linda currently lectures in flute at Elder Conservatorium under the leadership of Elizabeth Koch, is an examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board, and is a mother to two growing boys.
B.Mus (Perf) Hon., L.Mus.A
Linda is a freelance flautist in Adelaide, where she has performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia, English National Ballet and Adelaide Art Orchestra. She also performs with the flute quartet Kshema, prize winners at the Australian Flute Festival.
Past teachers include Michael Scott at the Sydney Conservatorium, Louise Dellt &, Elizabeth Koch for post-graduate study at Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium. Living in the United Kingdom facilitated lessons and input from Susan Milan, Peter Lloyed &, and Michael Cox.
Linda currently lectures in flute at Elder Conservatorium under the leadership of Elizabeth Koch, is an examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board, and is a mother to two growing boys.
