PROGRAMME
Bach – “Prelude” from Well-Tempered Clavier BWV 846
Barrière – Allegro prestissimo from Sonata No. 4 (Duet) in G Major
Shostakovich – “Prelude”and “Waltz” from 5 Pieces
Rimsky Korsakov – Flight of the Bumblebee
Bizet – “Habanera” from Carmen
Rossini – Allegro zingarese from Duet for cello and double bass
Schfrin – Theme from “Mission: Impossible”
Morricone – Gabriel’s Oboe from “The Mission”
Musicians:
Teije Hylkema, cello
Kees Boersma, double bass
Grace Kim, creative director/piano
Onsite therapist:
Jane Wearn, principal psychologist
Biographies
Teije Hylkema, cello
Kees Boersma, double bass
Kees Boersma enjoys a multifaceted career as Principal Double Bass with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Lecturer of Bass at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, recitalist and chamber musician.
As a soloist with the SSO he has given world premiere performances of concertos by Colin Bright and Mary Finsterer, the latter performances earning an APRA Music Award nomination for best performance of a new work. A recent highlight with the orchestra was featuring as soloist and presenter as part of the innovative SSO ‘Playlist’ series of concerts. He is a regular performer at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music and a guest leader of international and Australian ensembles, with invitations to perform with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Kees has been a member of the Australian World Orchestra since its inception and was soloist in the joyous and groundbreaking Elena Kats Chernin concerto for 8 double basses and orchestra. One of the co-soloists for that performance was Kees’ partner and fellow bassist Kirsty McCahon; they have enjoyed exploring and developing the repertory for two basses, with a particular focus on commissioning works from Australian composers and collaborating across the Australian arts spectrum in programs such as the AGNSW ‘Resonate’ series.
In his role as educator he enjoys tremendously working with young musicians striving to engage in music and enhance the profile of the bass, both as regular participation as tutor with Sydney Youth Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra programs and as presenter and recitalist at double bass events. Recent examples have included symposiums at the University of Georgia, USA, and The University of Melbourne. Closer to home, and together with Kirsty, establishing a string music program at their local primary school in Sydney’s Inner West when their young sons began their school years was for Kees a truly fulfilling experience – the program continues to flourish at Leichhardt Public School.
It is a real privilege to be part of the ‘Sensory Concerts’ program, and to witness again the transformative power of music!
Grace Kim, creative director
A Winston Churchill Fellow, concert pianist, artistic director and music educator Grace Kim believes that quality live music should be accessible to everyone with a desire to hear it.
Her Sensory Concerts® and Mountain Concerts series ensure that it does. As a concerto soloist, Grace has performed with symphony orchestras of Australasia, Belgium, Russia, and Ukraine in some of the most prestigious venues. Respected by her peers, Grace is able to attract internationally-recognised colleagues to perform at her Mountain Concerts and Sensory Concerts series.
Among her numerous international and national prizes, the former child prodigy was a prizewinner of Bellini International Piano Competition (Italy), Citta di Marsala International Piano Competition, and National Keyboard Winner of the 2000 Symphony Australia Young Performers Award, also receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Trust. After graduating from Sydney Conservatorium of Music, she gained two Master of Music degrees at Melbourne University and Rotterdam Conservatorium (Cum Laude) and was the 2002 Inaugural Fellow of the Australian National Academy of Music.
Many of her performances have been broadcast on radio and television. In 2006 she performed before Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and Australian Governor General Major General Michael Jeffery at 400th anniversary celebrations of Dutch-Australian contact. In 2012, Grace performed before 200 international diplomats and ambassadors in Canberra, as well as in Parliament House for University of Melbourne 150-year celebration. She has also performed several times at the NSW Government House including at the Winston Churchill Fellowship’s 50th Anniversary National Convention before dignitaries.
Grace’s passion for chamber music has seen her regularly work with eminent artists, and in 2007/08 she was the Artistic Director of the Summer Concert Series in the celebrated Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Returning after living and working in the Netherlands for eight years, Grace is now based in the Blue Mountains and Sydney.
A mother of two young children, Grace is an advocate for quality music education. She foundedSensory Concerts® to provide quality classical music concerts for children and adults with sensory needs. In 2018, Grace also made her debut as an author, with “Noah’s Story”written together with her son, about life with Asperger’s Syndrome. Noah’s Story is available globally online.
Grace currently teaches in the Rising Stars Program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and undertaking research on “Calming effects of repetition in music for children with sensory sensitivities” at The MARCS Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Development.
Jane Wearn, Psychologist, BA (Psych), Master of Applied Psychology, MAPS
Jane has over 25 years’ experience providing assessment and treatment services to children and adolescents, adults and families in the public and private sector. She uses a family/person-centred approach to assist in addressing an individual’s core needs. This promotes effective intervention to assist individuals reach their full potential.
Jane is experienced working in consultation with GPs, psychiatrists, paediatricians, speech pathologist, occupational therapists, teachers and other health professionals.
She has a special interest in helping children and adults overcome difficulties with anxiety, depression and emotional regulation. Jane has extensive experience assisting individuals with learning, developmental and intellectual disabilities and childhood behaviour difficulties.
ABOUT SENSORY CONCERTS®
Sensory Concerts® is the brainchild of Grace Kim: a concert pianist and a mother with a fierce determination to make quality music accessible to all, without fear of social judgement. When her oldest son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism, she noticed there was a lack of live high-quality concert opportunities for families with sensory and additional needs, commonly associated with Autism, ADHD, physical and intellectual disabilities.
In 2017, she piloted her first Sensory Concerts® – with small numbers, various sensory-friendly seating options, retreat space, freedom of movement, and onsite therapist support. The music is designed to calm the senses and contain elements that are known to be attractive to those on the Autism spectrum. Performed by acclaimed musicians, patrons could experience “Opera House” standard performances up close and personal.
The concerts are designed to satisfy both first-timers and seasoned concert goers alike.
Since the successful pilot concert, the demand for Sensory Concerts® has been growing. Presenting throughout regional and metropolitan NSW, Melbourne, and Adelaide, they produced their first CD thanks to the support of the ING Dreamstarter crowdfunding campaign.