Max Holzner (Chairperson)

Max studied violin in Canberra with Josette Esquedin-Morgan and Barbara Jane Gilby. He is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge and the Australian National University and the recipient of many awards, prizes and scholarships, including: the Cambridge Australia Trust Orde Poynton Scholarship (2005-2007), UK Overseas Research Scholarships (2005 & 2006), Basil Bressler Prize (2003 & 2004) and an Australian Postgraduate Award (2004-2005). With the assistance of a Llewellyn Memorial Trust Scholarship (2003), he undertook further performance study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Max has collaborated with many of Australia’s leading performers and together with cellist, David Pereira, recorded music of Australian composers for the Tall Poppies label. He has worked with many professional orchestras in Australia and performed with chamber groups and in festivals across Australia and the UK. He was assistant to the late Christopher Hogwood, Academy of Ancient Music, with whom he collaborated in the preparation of numerous critical editions for Bärenreiter, most notably Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Max is passionate about teaching and standards of music education and access. He has more than 19 years teaching experience, having held positions at Radford College, Canberra, and in the pre-tertiary program at the ANU. He has also tutored undergraduates in music at the ANU and at Churchill College, Cambridge. Max's work is increasingly in governance roles. Apart from serving on the board of West Phil, he is Chair of both the Music Teachers' Association of NSW and Sydney Eisteddfod, and Exec. Chair of Gradus Software, a provider of close-curriculum online support for music educators and students, supported by the NSW Treasury. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.