Originally hailing from Adelaide, Kate has been part of the music scene in Ballarat for the past fifteen years.  Kate started her music life as an eight-year-old taking advantage of the free music lessons offered in public schools by the South Australian government.  Her love of music blossomed through participation in that programme and Kate's passion for providing children with positive musical opportunities led her to the profession of teaching music.  Whilst viola is her most loved instrument, Kate currently teaches violin and viola at Ballarat Grammar.

Kate is a regular player in the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra and enjoys the continued musical learning and stimulation the orchestra provides.

Kate Both

Viola

Rhiannon Delpero

Leader/1st violin

BIO

Rhiannon is a violin teacher in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne with developing connections in the Ballarat community. She teaches both in Melbourne schools and privately, whilst playing with the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra and, most recently, the Kara Kara Quartet.

Rhiannon's roots lie in classical training since the age of ten, which led her to study music performance at the University of Melbourne before moving to complete a Bachelor of Creative Arts Industries at Victoria University.  Her ambitions for violin playing are currently expanding to include orchestral, chamber and soloist repertoire. Rhiannon loves performing and aims for musical excellence, wherever she goes.

John Dods

Violoncello

John was taught music from the age of 8, firstly on piano and progressing to ‘cello soon after.  While his childhood of musical tuition and experiences of family string quartets indicated a likely musical career, at a late stage he was advised against this because of the poor pay and odd working hours of orchestral players at the time. 

He rejoined the musical world over twenty years ago and sets aside many daily practice hours.   He has played in many regional orchestras and ensembles over the years and performs regular recitals in the area.  

John has been a member of the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra since 2002.

It was on a regular visit to her local market at St Andrews one Saturday morning that brought Millie her first musical inspiration. A stallholder deftly trilled on an ocarina a sweet little tune that she felt she could learn. At 9 years of age five dollars was easily spent and a dream of making music was born in the little round clay pipe with holes. Tunes came easily, recorder was mastered, high school came and went adding flute and violin. An extended break from music went by as if nothing while focusing on family and work, then a forgotten violin was dusted off and lessons were resumed.

Millie sought to connect with the thriving musical culture within Albury and joined the Murray Conservatorium Orchestra in early 2013, enjoying several concerts and friendly musical camaraderie. Two years on and a move to Ballarat brought Millie to the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra, with more new friends and experiences than she'd ever imagined. From within this organisation, the Kara Kara Quartet beckoned, promising new music and exciting times. Still sitting safely in its box, Millie remembers to breathe a thank you to the little ocarina, for the magic she always knew it contained.

Millie Koenders

2nd violin