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Esther Albert
Esther Albert began learning the violin from her mother - Lucette Tolhurst - at the age of four in Nyngan (a small town in NSW). She also started piano with Lyn Armstrong. But having fallen in love with the cello, she was able to switch from violin to cello at the age of six when moving to Narromine created access to a teacher in Dubbo - Juliet Bock, and Gai Kerr (piano). Esther kept up her violin playing by participating in the many events in her mother's violin studio.

Esther also made regular trips to Sydney to see the accomplished Suzuki cello teacher Belinda Manwaring. At the age of 14, Esther completed an 8th Grade exam in cello performance. At the end of that year, Juliet Bock moved to the US and Belinda Manwaring moved to the Gold Coast, so Esther had to look to Sydney for a permanent teacher. Belinda Manwaring suggested that Esther audition for the Conservatorium High School in Sydney. Esther followed her advice and was accepted to study cello with Georg Pedersen, a world renowned teacher and cellist who had studied with greats like Paul Tortelier. Esther also studied piano with Nada Brissenden, who with her husband Harold Brissenden, pioneered Suzuki method in Australia.

Esther met a talented violinist named Minh-Thi Tran at the school, and they became best friends busking and playing at weddings and events together. They still love to play together to this day.

Whilst in Sydney, she completed an 8th Grade piano exam, an AmusA exam in cello performance, and performed in the Conservatorium High School Orchestra under respected conductors Richard Gill and Richard Tognetti (Australian Chamber Orchestra) among others. She played as part of the 2004 Schools Spectacular Orchestra and was principal cellist in the Greater Sydney SDA Orchestra for three years, performing at very large events like 'Big Camp'. At the Conservatorium annual concert in her final year, Esther was appointed concert master (a post usually reserved for the principal first violinist) by internationally acclaimed conductor Nicholas Milton.

After graduating High School, Esther completed a Bachelor of Arts(Music)/Bachelor of Teaching degree, and a Certificate III in Suzuki Talent Education, during which time she taught cello and piano at West Ryde music shop. Esther took a position at Tamworth Conservatorium of Music teaching cello, piano, violin, and string groups. During her time in Tamworth, she co-founded the Marius Trio in 2010, which ran a subscription series in 2011. She was also asked to teach piano at Gunnedah Conservatorium, and did some cello performances for Armidale Conservatorium.

In 2012, Esther moved to Cooranbong and began tutoring at Avondale School. She continued teaching Cello at Gunnedah Conservatorium via video conferencing and began teaching strings at Heritage College Lake Macquarie in 2015. Esther completed a Certificate III in Suzuki Talent Education for both violin and cello. She has studied violin and teaching with Amanda Gibson (Suzuki Teacher Trainer) from 2015 to 2020 and Double Bass with Virginia Dixon (US Suzuki Teacher Trainer) from 2017 to 2020.

Esther was the first recognised Suzuki Double Bass teacher in Australia, and is working with colleague Andrew Moon (Principal Double Bassist in Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) to grow Suzuki Double Bass programs. Esther was the string convenor for the Lake Macquarie Eisteddfod in 2018, and now runs her own ‘Music of the Heart' Eisteddfod every year. She organises and runs a 'Music of the Heart' workshop annually and invites well-respected interstate teachers to guest tutor.

In 2020, Esther began a new position at Hunter Valley Grammar School teaching music classes to years 3 to 6, and took on violin students there in 2021. She has developed a comprehensive video program for learning string instruments in a class setting, which can be accessed online. In 2020 Esther began playing the Cornet with Avondale Brass Band, and started lessons on the harp with teacher trainer Ann ApThomas.

After completing ABODA NSW conducting courses in 2022 and 2023, Esther was appointed assistant band conductor for the Avondale Brass Band. She hopes to complete a Masters in conducting in the future. Esther has extensive experience conducting string ensembles, and from 2022 has conducted three choirs at Lakes Grammar, and started a String Ensemble. Esther has conducted the IPSHA Performing Arts Festival combined schools orchestra with over 100 students from various private schools in 2022, and over 150 students in 2023. She has been asked to conduct again in 2024. 

In 2023 Esther was approached by the Wyong Musical Theatre Company to be the Director and Musical Director of a kids musical. Esther found an adaptation of the novel Treasure Island and adapted the script and music, including editing and writing extra scenes. The musical will be performed in the 2024 April school holidays.

Esther is currently teaching Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Piano, and group classes with Music of the Heart at Avondale School, and K to 6 Music classes, choirs and Strings at Lakes Grammar on the Central Coast. Her students perform at the Sydney Opera House every year and she regularly tutors at Suzuki workshops and events in Sydney for the STEAA (NSW).
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