Join us for an unforgettable celebration of all things flute at the Elder Conservatorium Flute Mega Day!

This inspiring day of music-making brings together flutists of all ages and levels for workshops, masterclasses, performances, and the chance to play alongside some of Australia's leading artists.

We are thrilled to welcome special guests Eliza Shephard and Kim Falconer, alongside Elder Conservatorium's own Kathryn Moorhead and the flute section of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Whether you're a student, teacher, or enthusiastic amateur, this is a rare opportunity to learn, connect, and perform with the very best.

The day will be filled with guided warm-ups, ensemble rehearsals, an interactive flute workshop, a masterclass, a lively panel Q&A with the ASO flutists, and much more. Younger players will shine in the Tutti Flutti Junior Players performance, before the day concludes with a celebratory concert featuring guest artists, ensembles, and our massed flute orchestra.

This event is proudly supported by the Flute Society of South Australia and Flutes and Flutists.

An interactive musical adventure

ABC Young Performer of Year, Eliza Shephard is one of Australia’s most exciting and dynamic musicians and artists.

Eliza leads the audience on an interactive musical adventure from a small country town to the big stage at Hamer Hall, exploring some of her favourite pieces along the way.

Who knows, maybe a future Young Performer of the Year will be in the audience ready to be discovered!

Duration: approx. 50 minutes, no interval

Program

Ravel Boléro
Grieg In the Hall of the Mountain King
Hans Zimmer / John Powell 'Oogway Ascends' from Kung Fu Panda
Rossini William Tell Overture
And more!

Featuring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Aaron Wyatt conductor
Eliza Shephard presenter

An interactive musical adventure

ABC Young Performer of Year, Eliza Shephard is one of Australia’s most exciting and dynamic musicians and artists.

Eliza leads the audience on an interactive musical adventure from a small country town to the big stage at Hamer Hall, exploring some of her favourite pieces along the way.

Who knows, maybe a future Young Performer of the Year will be in the audience ready to be discovered!

Duration: approx. 50 minutes, no interval

Program

Ravel Boléro
Grieg In the Hall of the Mountain King
Hans Zimmer / John Powell 'Oogway Ascends' from Kung Fu Panda
Rossini William Tell Overture
And more!

Featuring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Aaron Wyatt conductor
Eliza Shephard presenter

An interactive musical adventure

ABC Young Performer of Year, Eliza Shephard is one of Australia’s most exciting and dynamic musicians and artists.

Eliza leads the audience on an interactive musical adventure from a small country town to the big stage at Hamer Hall, exploring some of her favourite pieces along the way.

Who knows, maybe a future Young Performer of the Year will be in the audience ready to be discovered!

Duration: approx. 50 minutes, no interval

Program

Ravel Boléro
Grieg In the Hall of the Mountain King
Hans Zimmer / John Powell 'Oogway Ascends' from Kung Fu Panda
Rossini William Tell Overture
And more!

Featuring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Aaron Wyatt conductor
Eliza Shephard presenter

An interactive musical adventure

ABC Young Performer of Year, Eliza Shephard is one of Australia’s most exciting and dynamic musicians and artists.

Eliza leads the audience on an interactive musical adventure from a small country town to the big stage at Hamer Hall, exploring some of her favourite pieces along the way.

Who knows, maybe a future Young Performer of the Year will be in the audience ready to be discovered!

Duration: approx. 50 minutes, no interval

Program

Ravel Boléro
Grieg In the Hall of the Mountain King
Hans Zimmer / John Powell 'Oogway Ascends' from Kung Fu Panda
Rossini William Tell Overture
And more!

Featuring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Aaron Wyatt conductor
Eliza Shephard presenter

We are very excited to have the incredibly talented and most wonderful Eliza Shephard come and share her experience and knowledge with some of our lucky flute students in the upcoming Masterclass!

ABC Young Performer of the Year Eliza Shephard is a vibrant flutist and is paving her way as a performing artist, collaborator, and curator. Eliza is passionate about amplifying the voices of female musicians and composers and her 6-year ‘March of the Women’ recording project showcases 180+ works by women. Eliza is a Teaching Associate and Sessional Academic at Monash University and is an Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellow. She is proud to be a Haynes Artist.

Tickets $25 at the door.

Let children’s imagination take centre stage in this inspiring full-day music workshop led by Eliza Shephard, ABC Young Performer of the Year and one of Australia’s most exciting flautists.

In this unique collaboration between McClelland and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, participants aged 10-14 will explore the art of musical storytelling through nature, sculpture, and sound. No instrumental experience is required, just bring your voice, your creativity, and a willingness to collaborate.

With guidance from MSO musicians, participants will develop music skills, experiment with composition, and co-create a brand-new piece to be performed in the MSO in Your Neighbourhood concert.

As part of this workshop, participants must be available to perform with the MSO at Peninsula Community Theatre on Thursday 11 September, between 2pm and 6pm.
Complimentary ticket will be provided per adult to watch the MSO in Your Neighbourhood performance (limited to one adult per participating child).

This is a rare opportunity for young people to work alongside professional musicians and perform in a public concert - don’t miss it!

Long-time collaborators Eliza Shephard & Peter de Jager take to the stage for an evening of fire and ice, sturm und drang, calm and chaos.

Presented by the Geelong Chamber Music Society, these two musicians will bring about a plethora of music from their newly-recorded album celebrating their flute and piano collaboration.

Eliza+Judith=More Nonsense is the 5th instalment of March of the Women 2025: Collaborations.

This is a bold and visionary concert series spotlighting female compositional voices in contemporary music.

Eliza Shephard & Judith Dodsworth return to the stage for a spellbinding evening of cutting-edge sound, virtuosic performance, and fearless artistry.

This performance marks the official launch of Eliza and Judith's recording of Kate Soper’s spellbinding work Only The Words Themselves Mean What They Say — a tour de force of contemporary music that explores the fragile boundaries between language, meaning, and music. Featuring the talents of Agatha Yim & Alistair McLean, this is a powerhouse collaboration and showcases a fresh way of capturing contemporary music performance.

Join us for a night that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and the power of women's voices in art music. Whether you're a contemporary music enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this is a performance not to be missed.

Sammy J hosts a special Saturday concert that will open children's eyes and ears to the magical world of the orchestra—an adventure as exciting as an expedition to Antarctica!

Much-loved classics—In the Hall of the Mountain King, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Mambo! —will highlight the instrumental sections of the orchestra. Brass, woodwind, percussion, and strings each have a moment to shine before everything comes together in this lively introduction to the orchestra.

Presented by one of Melbourne’s best-loved comedian-musicians, Sammy J, with the Monash Classical Collective from the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music.

The Very Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is part of Family Fiesta’s expedition to Antarctica this year.

About the Webinar

Join ABC Young Performer of the Year Eliza Shephard for a session covering flute fundamentals, as well as discussing the benefits of extended techniques. 

Cost

FREE for VMTA Members | $30.00 for non-members.

Other Information

This VMTA Professional Learning Webinar will be recorded and made available to registrants whether they are able to attend live or not.

Video replays and presentation materials are sent to all registrants after the event. At this time, registrants can also access a PD Certificate by completing a short feedback form online. Registrants can also suggest topics for future presentations within this feedback form. 

Upon registration for a VMTA Webinar event, you should receive a confirmation email with your join link from Zoom. If you have any issues with this, please see here for more information.

VMTA Members who register for a VMTA Webinar event will automatically have the relevant CPD hours logged in their membership profile. 

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 9AM THE DAY OF THE WEBINAR.

Join the musicians of Orchestra Victoria in this bold and moving program, which is all about connection through music – to people, places, time, feeling and memory.

The vivacious and thoughtful Jacinta Parsons (host of Friday Revue and Saturday Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne) will guide you through the music and introduce you to the people and stories behind the music you hear.

Orchestra Victoria are proud to be taking centre stage in Gippsland to help you experience the full spectrum of musical expression. Hear the power of fate knocking on the door, the sounds of the vibrant dances of Mexico, give way to the most vulnerable quietude of true self-reflection and the deep nostalgic echoes of the British countryside.

Conducted by the dynamic Carlo Antonioli, don’t miss an unforgettable evening of music making featuring your Orchestra Victoria.

This program was developed in a studio managed by the City of Melbourne’s Meat Market tenancy program.

Proudly supported by Creative Australia and The Australian Government, The Melba Collective bring a stunning performance to the recently restored Parish of the Parks Albert Park.

Comprising of Eliza Shephard (flutes), Judith Dodsworth (soprano), Briana Leaman (oboe), and Yasmin Rowe (piano), The Melba Collective are known for their diversity and eclecticism. They unite through art in all its forms, producing enriching, imaginative music programs.

Eliza Shephard’s multi-year project, March of the Women, returns with a collaborative approach featuring ensembles across Melbourne. In this one-night-only edition, The Melba Collective explore works by familiar and unknown female composers.

The music of Miriam Hyde, Ingrid Stölzel, Bonnie McLarty, and friends, alongside text by Emily Dickinson and Arthur J. Lamb, is celebrated in an evening set to burst with colour, light, and shade, and showcase female compositional voices.

Enjoy the lush tones of some of Melbourne's finest flute players performing ensemble repertoire evocative of scenes from mythology and folklore.

Join the performers on stage for a fun flute ensemble sightreading workshop. Please bring flutes of all shapes and sizes and remember to bring your music stand too! Sheet music will be provided on the day. This workshop is a great opportunity for students, emerging musicians and teachers to try out new ensemble repertoire, and will be lead by members of Fanciful Flutes.

Concert Program:
Carla Thakrah – Earthgods
Sally Greenaway – Pastorale and Caprice
Nicole Chamberlain – Mimics
Maria Grenfell – Pipe Music
Miriam Hyde – Fantasia on Waltzing Matilda

Fanciful Flutes:
Helen Hardy
Emily Kimpton 
Nathalie Resciniti 
Eliza Shephard
Sophie Weston
Maria Zhdanovich

Please Bring:
Flute and Music Stand.

Cost:
$10 (includes both performance and workshop)

Fanciful Flutes, founded in 2023, connects flutists across Melbourne to explore diverse repertoire. The ensemble collaborates with Eliza Shephard’s March of the Women project, spotlighting women composers. It fosters a vibrant community where seasoned and emerging musicians inspire each other, enhancing both personal and professional growth.

Ensemble CANE proudly presents Liberated Lines, a joyful celebration of music by diverse voices.

Prepare for an afternoon of music for flute, saxophone and piano that will delight and inspire as Ensemble CANE showcases the power of music to uplift, connect, and move audiences.

Featuring works by composers Katy Abbott, Christopher Healey, Olga Rayeva, Luke Severn, Ingrid Stölzel, and others, Liberated Lines promises a voyage of rich melodies, heartfelt harmonies, and playful rhythms, performed by three award-winning Australian musicians.

With a program highlighting the musical creativity and brilliance of composers from a wide range of backgrounds, prepare to discover a feast of music sure to become new favourites.

Ensemble CANE

Christopher Healey (composer) | Adam McMillan (piano) | Niels Bijl (saxophone) | Eliza Shephard (flute)

Championing extraordinary works by composers past and present, Ensemble CANE is a collective of acclaimed and award-winning Australian musicians dedicated to bringing bold, imaginative, and inspiring performances to audiences of music they will be delighted to discover.

Combining imaginative programming with breathtaking performances, CANE creates concerts that speak to modern hearts and minds — music that pulls at heartstrings, lifts spirits, and leaves audiences moved and inspired.

We believe there are few things more powerful and soul-stirring than hearing a musical masterpiece for the very first time and we’ve made it our mission to bring that experience to every audience.

After the concert, you can enjoy meeting the artists and other audience members during the refreshments served in the Langley Hall mansion.

In celebration of the 6th year of Eliza Shephard’s March of the Women project, Phoebe, Melina & Eliza present a concert full of repertoire written by Australian and international female composers.

Phoebe Green, Melina van Leeuwen and Eliza Shephard reunite to present a journey through flute, viola and harp repertoire for the third concert of Eliza Shephard’s March of the Women 2025: Collaborations.

Repertoire:
Adrienne Albert - Doppler Effect
Vivienne Olive - ...and the willows drowse and sleep...
Natalie Williams - The Chrysalis Game
Jessica Wells - Sati
Sally Beamish - Between Earth and Sea

Chamber music from the past and present, at home and overseas. Featuring premieres by Dominic Flynn and David William Murray, as well as older works by Elliott Carter, Sylvia Lim, Helen Standring, Elliott Gyger, and Leilei Tian.

Program

ELLIOTT CARTER – Shard (1997)

- Performed by Sophie Marcheff

DAVID WILLIAM MURRAY – Échancrée (2025)

- Performed by Justinn Lu and Alex Meagher

HELEN STANDRING – Sol-Jay (1976)

- Performed by Cian Malikides and Stephanie Burger

LEILEI TIAN – Melting (1998)

- Performed by Sophie Marcheff and Aditya Bhat

DOMINIC FLYNN – Cold Can (2025)

- Performed by Eliza Shephard and Alex Meagher

ELLIOTT GYGER – Quicksilver Elegy (2013)

- Performed by Eliza Shephard, Justinn Lu, Sophie Marcheff, and Aditya Bhat

SYLVIA LIM – Same but different (2021)

- Performed by Sophie Marcheff and Louis Smith

Join us for a day of wind playing and teacher PD!

The Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance warmly invites high school students, tertiary wind players and wind enthusiasts of all ages and levels to participate in a day of collaboration, conversation and masterclasses with a great line-up of inspiring artists.

We’ve got workshop activities to help you develop new techniques, practise strategies and enhanced interpretations to prepare you for performance success!

Music educators can connect with like-minded colleagues, while students benefit from feedback on VCE and AMEB repertoire, ensemble playing skills and insights from top performers and teachers.  

Presented in partnership with Clasax, and supported by D’Addario, Flutes and Flutists, Haynes, Online Virtuoso, Ozwinds and Yamaha.

BLOWING TO THE WIND

An unusual and brilliant bespoke Festival Quartet featuring ELIZA SHEPHARD, LLOYD VAN’T HOFF, MATTHEW WILKIE & MICHAEL DUKE.

And we’re also proud to present a World Premier composition by STEPHEN ADAMS, written for Eliza Shephard and winds.

PROGRAM

To be announced soon.

ARTISTS

Eliza Shephard | Flute
Lloyd Van’t Hoff | Clarinet
Matthew Wilkie | Bassoon
Michael Duke | Saxophone

TAKE TWELVE

Welcoming performers from Saturday’s Morning and Afternoon DUETS, this fabulous presentation of twelve world-class artists promises to be a feast for the senses.

PROGRAM

To be announced soon.

ARTISTS

Alexandra Osbourne | violin
Dimity Hall | violin
Harry Bennetts | violin
Jennifer Eriksson | viola da gamba
Julian Smiles | cello
Kees Boersma | double bass
Kirsty McCahon | double bass
Eliza Shephard | flute
Lloyd Van’t Hoff | clarinet
Matthew Wilkie | bassoon
Andrea Lam | piano
Louise Johnson | harp

Saturday Afternoon Duets

A sumptuous afternoon of DUETS showcasing stunning artists and their instruments. These three concerts will be fun, informative and very different.

PROGRAM

Louise Johnson & Jennifer Eriksson

Andrea Lam & Eliza Shephard
Lili BOULANGER | Nocturne
Franz SCHUBERT | Trockne Blumen

Alexandra Osborne & Harry Bennetts

ARTISTS

Louise Johnson | harp
Jenny Eriksson | viola da gamba
Andrea Lam | piano
Eliza Shephard | flute
Alexandra Osbourne | violin
Harry Bennetts | violin

In celebration of the sixth year of Eliza Shephard’s March of the Women project, Tailors presents a concert full of repertoire written by Australian and international female composers. This concert showcases the pierrot ensemble in a diverse collection of music exploring light and shade, abstract notions, and undergoes sonic exploration.

PROGRAM

Joan TOWER Petroushkates

Chen YI As Like a Raging Fire

Cathy APPLEGATE Conversations about the Impossible

Iran SANADZADEH new work (WP)

-Interval-

Sophie van DIJK Inside the Mosaic

Helen GIFFORD Plaint for Lost Worlds

Lena ORSA Krishnachura

Adrienne ALBERT Lullaby

Eliza Shephard presents two workshops at the Suzuki Autumn Festival at Methodist Ladies College.

She brings a fresh approach to music making and exploration, taking the participants through new repertoire and enhanced practice routines.

With an emphasis on freeing creativity and rekindling a sense of adventure through music, Eliza will share her experience as a diverse chamber and solo performer to promote curiosity and revel in the joy of making music.

Friends, family and community are invited to watch young artists from local Shepparton Secondary Colleges perform their new dance works created during a dance residency with The Australian Ballet Education & Outreach Team. This will be followed by a performance of Wonderland, performed by The Australian Ballet’s Education & Outreach dancers and musicians from Orchestra Victoria

Wonderland

A 30-minute, modern ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, performed by 4 dancers, Wonderland is a pop-up style performance is designed for school and community groups of all ages. 

Alice is seen daydreaming by a riverbank, dancing amongst the butterflies. She follows a white rabbit down a long winding rabbit hole, where a mysterious Cheshire Cat appears, guiding her into Wonderland. Here, she meets more characters – the entertaining Hatter, the kind Knave, the jazzy Flamingo and the demanding Queen of Hearts, before finding her way back home. Join Alice on her journey, for a game of croquet, plenty of dancing, and a tea party or two!  

Relax over a 2 course Truffleduck lunch while listening to Eliza Shephard speak about her career as one of Australia’s most sought after flautists. 

Her talents as a flute player and creative artist earned her the position of a finalist in the Classical Freedman Fellowship in 2021, and she has received many accolades for the boldness and imagination she brings to her projects. 

There will be time for audience questions towards the conclusion of the lunch.

​​An event to create awareness and seek support for the AYCMC.

Ensemble CANE brings to life a musical amuse-bouche of works by women for flute, saxophone and piano for the first concert of Eliza Shephard’s March of the Women 2025: Collaborations.

Repertoire:
Katy Abbott - Making Angels
Natalie Williams - Vignettes of Paul Klee
Ingrid Stölzel - For The Time Being
Alex Manton - Women Wear Capes (WP)
Olga Rayeva - Ethiopian Coffee
Nicole Chamberlain - Entanglement
Kym Alexandra Dillon - Scherzo

A feast of music in celebration of International Women’s Day spanning Byzantine hymns of Kassia to exciting world premieres by Su Min Lee and Alex Manton.

Students, staff and the general public are welcome to attend this FREE event. (Registration not required).

About the Performance

Performance staff and students present a feast of music by women in celebration of International Women's Day.

PROGRAM:

Brenda Gifford Plover Bird
Isabella Rossi, flue
Maya-Jayne Howat, clarinet
Alyssa Wong, violin
Olivia Murphy, vibraphone
Sofia Jorgovic, piano

Anne Cawrse Lullabies and Crooked Dances
Eliza Shephard, flute
Nicole Canham, clarinet
Matthew Kneale, bassoon

Su Min Lee Sculptures of Movement *world premiere
Nicole Canham, clarinet
Su Min Lee, harp

Alex Manton Women Wear Capes *world premiere
Eliza Shephard, flute

Chloe Kim When the moon wears mask (2024)

Beatriz de Dia A chantar (c. 1175)

Kassia (c. 810 – c. 865) I en polles amarties / The fallen woman
Moirai Ensemble
Meg Cohen, violin
David Moran, cello
Alexander Meagher, percussion

A work celebrating the love of two Melbourne Queer men who have travelled the world together

Ensemble CANE and Violets with Solo performances by Adam McMillian & Melina van Leeuwen. Featuring two world premieres by Australian composer Christopher Healey.

A ‘Fanfare for Midsumma Pride’; especially commissioned for Midsumma, Melbourne’s Queer community and the VPC; and 'A Star, A Journey, A Fire'.

Ensemble CANE is a collaboration between Australian composer, Christopher Healey, and the extraordinary musicians, Niels Bijl (saxophone), Adam McMillan (piano) and Eliza Shephard (flute). CANE presents repertoire to delight and stir modern hearts and minds. They champion & foster contemporary works by Australian composers, present undiscovered gems and breathe fresh life into classic masterworks.

Violets is an Australian-based classical chamber music group, consisting of Molly Collier-O’Boyle (viola), Anna Rabinowicz (flute) and Melina van Leeuwen (harp). Rooted in the traditional canon for flute, viola and harp, Violets seek to present established repertoire in a new light through concert curation that champions cross-genre collaboration, the femme and the new.