The USYD
Intercol Orchestra
William Cesta - Piano
Will Cesta began studying piano under Rosemary Allen at the age of 6. He was awarded the Asquith and Dewitt piano scholarship to Newcastle Conservatorium at the age of 12, which enabled him to study under Dr Gianfranco Ricci, under whom he attained his L.Mus.A with distinction and won various piano competitions, including a range of first place prizes in the Sydney Eisteddfod.
Will was then given a full scholarship to attend Sydney Conservatorium's Rising Star's Program, which he entered at the age of 16. There he studied with Prof. Gerard Willems until 2013, when he entered the Sydney Conservatorium under Natalia Ricci on a full scholarship. Will has since performed in 6 countries and appeared as a soloist with a number of orchestras, playing works such as Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, Chopin's First Piano Concerto and the Schumann Concerto. He has also studied in Italy and Portugal with eminent artists such as Angela Hewitt and Prof. Boris Berman.
Will currently resides at St Andrew's College as a piano scholar, where he had been awarded numerous awards, including the Bill Caldwell Scholarship. Other awards include first place in the Archibald Latham Scholarship, first prize in the Nan Witcomb Memorial Competition and first prize in the Intercollegiate Palladian Instrumental Competition three years in a row.
Will is also a member of the Kinross Duo alongside trombonist Minami Takahashi. Together they have made various recordings and performed a number of concerts around Australia.
Annabelle Carter - Violin
Annabelle Carter began studying violin at the age of four in her hometown of Orange. She studied with Lorraine Moxey at Kinross Wolaroi School, where she attained her A.Mus.A. and was awarded the Godfrey Turner Scholarship in 2011. During her school years, Annabelle enjoyed playing with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and was involved in ACO Academy and their Schools Programs from 2010-2013. She has also participated in Australian Youth Orchestra’s Young Symphonists and National Music Camp since the age of fifteen.
Annabelle is now in her second year of a Bachelor of Music/ Doctor of Medicine at the University of Sydney, where she studies violin with Alice Waten. She is a member of the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra and is actively involved in performing at The Women’s College, where she resides. Annabelle has been awarded prizes in the Margaret Henderson Music Scholarship annually since 2012. This year, Annabelle is a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, performing in Melbourne and Sydney. Through AYO, she has also played with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Annabelle regularly enjoys playing chamber music and looks forward to continuing her studies on violin over the next few years.