Flinders Quartet

ELIZABETH SELLARS, VIOLIN: Elizabeth was born in Melbourne,  where her primary teachers were Nehama Patkin and Nathan Gutman; she formed her first string quartet (Birubi) under the guidance of Marco Van Pagee. The winner of multiple scholarships, Elizabeth studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with David Takeno (violin) and the Gabrieli and Takacs Quartets (chamber music). Elizabeth also played widely throughout Europe and Japan with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields.  

In Australia Elizabeth has appeared variously as guest Concertmaster and guest Principal Violin with the Tasmanian and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra. She has also toured with the Australian World Orchestra.   

Elizabeth is a founding member of Sutherland Trio with Caroline Almonte and Molly Kadarauch, and Quercus Trio with Carla Blackwood and Rhodri Clarke.  

WILMA SMITH, VIOLIN: Wilma Smith is Artistic Director and violinist of Wilma & Friends, a chamber music series based in Melbourne and presenting concerts throughout Australia and New Zealand. She is also Musica Viva’s Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and Strike A Chord, the national high school championship. Wilma teaches violin and chamber music at the University of Melbourne, Scotch College, and Korowa Anglican Girls’ School.  

After studying in Boston as founding First Violinist of the Lydian String Quartet, Wilma was invited to return home to form the New Zealand String Quartet. She was First Violinist until she was appointed Concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a position she held for nine years before moving to Melbourne to be Concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra from 2003 to 2014.  

HELEN IRELAND, VIOLA: A graduate of the Canberra School of Music, Helen was awarded the Erica Haas Prize for chamber music. Helen has worked with many leading Australian orchestras, including the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She plays regularly with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria where she has been guest Principal and Associate Principal. Helen is qualified as a Feldenkrais practitioner and whilst not currently practising, it profoundly influences her viola playing. Helen is a founding member of Flinders Quartet.  

ZOE KNIGHTON, CELLO / ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: After starting cello at the age of nine with Jill Kahans, and graduating from the University of Melbourne with the highest mark of her year, Zoe went on to establish herself as one of the country’s most sought after cellists. Having studied with Christian Wojtowicz, Michel Strauss (Paris), Nelson Cooke, and Angela Seargeant, she is now in demand as chamber coach and teacher at various institutions. A regular panellist for major competitions, Zoe combines many facets of her career with performing. Zoe is a founding member of Flinders Quartet.