Peter Avery
Peter joined Mitchell Conservatorium, Lithgow as a violin teacher in 2008.
He started playing violin at age 6 and began his early violin studies at Lismore, Bangalow and Byron Bay convents. Peter later studied with W. J. Gallaher, Gallaher School of Music and with Georgina McLean, Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He played in the Sydney-based National Youth Orchestra in the late 60s, Ars Nova Orchestra in the 80s and since 1999 with Lithgow Community Orchestra. Peter played violin and double bass with Shiloh a folk gospel trio and violin with the Bunyip Boys Bush Band. He was a string tutor at Cooerwull Public School in the 70s and 80s, and again since 2008.
His love for a wide range of musical styles is evident when he performs with his wife Gaye in a violin & double bass/guitar vocal duo. Peter combines aspects of the Suzuki method with the AMEB syllabus in teaching violin.
Stefan Duwe
Violin, Viola
Born in Oldenburg, Germany, Stefan studied viola with Marcel Charpentier, Konrad Grahe and Emile Cantor at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen and attended masterclasses with Thomas Brandis and Serge Collot.
From 1992 he worked with a number of orchestras including the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Theatre Nordhausen, Folkwang Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Hungarica, Philharmonie Essen, Düsseldorfer Sinfoniker and Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.
Since immigrating to Australia in 2001, Stefan has worked with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and recorded the 6th Brandenburg Concerto for ABC Classics.
Since the formation of Acacia Quartet, Stefan has turned his focus to chamber music and teaching. He currently teaches at the Australian Institute of Music and the Mitchell Conservatorium.
