Biography

Charles Brooks with cello I am currently undertaking a trial as Principal Cellist of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. Shenzhen is a city of approximately 10 million just outside Hong Kong. When not in China I spend my time in Melbourne where I work as a freelance cellist and teacher. I've spent much of the last decade at various universities throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK studying both performance cello and opera.

During this time I have been involved in many different ensembles, both large and small. I have been principal cellist with a number of other orchestras including the Northern Rivers Symphony (which was featured on ABC's Australian Story), sub-principal of the National Youth Orchestra of New Zealand under the special invitation of Benjamin Zander (conductor of the Boston philharmonic), and principal of both the University of Auckland and the Victoria University (Wellington, New Zealand) orchestras.

I've also been involved in various chamber ensembles since my early years of playing. At 15 I was a member of the Kalos Quartet, finalists of the Westpac Chamber Music Competitions in New Zealand which were broadcast on Concert FM. Most recently I was a member of CacoFony, a clarinet trio and winners of the Australian National Eisteddfod (Canberra).

I currently study privately with Timothy Walden, principal cellist of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in the UK.