Australian flutistJonathan Henderson has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study with international soloist and professor Jacques Zoon in Geneva, Switzerland.
The 27-year-old Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University graduate is one of three applicants out of one hundred to be accepted into the elite Haute École de Musique Genève to undertake a Master of Musical Interpretation.
With only ten flute students in the class, Jonathan says he hopes to utilise the opportunity to the fullest by learning “how to better communicatemy musical ideas”.
“I will hone my skills,take risks with my playing and experiment,” he says.
“It’s a chance to broaden my capabilities while being guided by a master pedagogue, unhindered by the demands of working in a full-time orchestral position.”
Looking back, he says his passion for orchestral playing sparked during his studies at the Queensland Conservatorium.
“I had many great opportunities to participate in ensemble projects and learn the art of being an orchestral musician,” he explains.
“When I came to do my postgraduate study in Europe, I found that I was more familiar with audition repertoire than many of my European classmates.
“From day one of my job in the Estonian National Opera, I felt very at home in the orchestra and well equipped to be a confident principal player.”
Since graduation from the Queensland Conservatorium, Jonathan has completed a Master of Music at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg (Germany) in the class of Felix Renggli.
Hehasperformed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Aldeburgh World Orchestra (UK), Turku Philharmonic Orchestra (Finland), Birgitta Festival Orchestra and Pärnu Music Festival Orchestras (Estonia).
As soloist, he has appeared with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Estonian National Opera Orchestra, Baltic Youth Philharmonic and Sydney Symphony Sinfonia.He was also appointedPrincipal Flute of the Estonian National Opera in 2012.
Jonathan will move to Geneva, Switzerland in September assuming the success of his current Australian Cultural Fund campaign.
www.jonathanhendersonflute.com