Claire Edwardes (Artistic Director/percussion) gratefully supported by Jules Maxwell
Jules Maxwell has been a long time fan of Claire Edwardes, first noticing her when she was Synergy Percussion’s Associate Artist back in 1999. Jules came on board as Claire’s Chair supporter 20 years later in 2019 after time spent together at the Adelaide Festival’s Ukaria program. Jules believes whole heartedly in everything that Ensemble Offspring stands for – innovation, excellence and supreme creativity and she is truly passionate about supporting Claire and the organisation into the future.
Lamorna Nightingale (flute) gratefully supported by Andrew & Kate Fellowes
Andrew Fellowes was a board member of Ensemble Offspring for four years, departing in 2020. He is the Director of Treasury and Investment Services, Finance, UNSW Sydney where he is responsible for the management of cash, funding, banking, financial risk management and investment activities at UNSW Sydney. His wife Kate Fellowes runs a successful cafe in Glebe. Andrew and Kate have generously supported Lamorna’s Chair for several years now.
Jason Noble (clarinet) gratefully supported by Shane Simpson & Danielle Michel-Simpson
Shane Simpson is a chairman of Studio A (NSW’s only supported studio for artists with intellectual disability) and patron of Ensemble Offspring. He is also on the Council of the National Library of Australia and is the independent director on several private foundations. Shane was the founder of the Arts Law Centre of Australia and the Prelude Project (a national network of composer houses). He is Special Counsel at Simpsons Solicitors, a firm specialising in the arts, entertainment, cultural property and copyright. Shane and his wife Danielle Michel-Simpson are proud sponsors of Jason’s Chair.
Véronique Serret (violin) gratefully supported by Russell & Jennifer Staley
Russell Staley is a UK-born engineer who has had a very successful career in oil and gas. He was a senior executive at Worley Parsons and chairman of Benthic, before it was acquired by subsea services group Acteon two years ago. Russell and his wife Jennifer Staley famously sold their Collaroy house for the highest price for that suburb in March 2021 and they are the proud sponsors of Véronique’s Chair.
Blair Harris (cello) gratefully supported by Harriet Lenigas
Harriet Lenigas is a barrister at Banco Chambers with almost ten years’ experience advising and appearing in large scale, high value cross-border infrastructure disputes and international and domestic arbitrations. Since coming to the Bar in 2019, Harriet has appeared in arbitrations seated in London, New York and Australia. Harriet has a lifelong love of music and studied cello performance from a young age. She holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in cello performance and worked as a professional cellist for years before moving into law. She is a board member of the Australian Haydn Ensemble.
Benjamin Kopp & Zubin Kanga (piano) gratefully supported by Sylvia Jamieson
Sylvia Jamieson is a retired translator and interpreter based in Canberra – she is not a musician unfortunately. Her first love was the 20th Century Russians, then she suddenly discovered Baroque music, then she realised that there were lots of other kinds of music! So she started listening to contemporary composers, at first feeling it was her duty, then she liked it more and more! Since she first heard EO almost 10 years ago she has admired and enjoyed their work immensely, and she goes to their concerts whenever she can, often with her son. “Without music, life would be a mistake.” (Nietzsche)