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Michael Dahlenburg

Esteemed cellist and conductor Michael Dahlenburg completed a Bachelors of Music
Performance in cello studying with Molly Kadarauch at the University of Melbourne-
Conservatorium of Music, and has studied conducting with Sir John Hopkins OBE. He
received a full scholarship, and later a fellowship, at the Australian National Academy
of Music, studying cello under the tutelage of Howard Penny and Timo-Veikko Valve.
Michael was the founding member of the acclaimed Hamer Quartet who won First
prize, The Audience Prize, and The Musica Viva Grand Prize for Best Ensemble at the Asia-Pacific Chamber competition in 2009. They performed and studied across Australia and Europe, including performances at the Norfolk and Norwich Chamber Music Festival (UK) and the International Musicians Seminar in Prussia Cove- UK, run by Steven Isserlis and
ProQuartet in Paris. In 2010, as a member of the Hamer Quartet, Michael was nominated as one of the Top 100 most influential people by THE AGE magazine, and voted ‘Best Newcomer’ by the ABC Limelight awards.

He has been guest associate principal cellist with Orchestra Victoria, and was the ACO’s Emerging Artist in 2008. He has since worked with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, ACO2, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and he is currently a core cellist with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Michael has conducted the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, and has been involved with the Symphony Services International Program (under the guidance of Christopher Seamen) since 2011; which allowed him the privilege to conduct both the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra in 2011 and 2012. As part
of the Conductor Training program for 2013, Michael returned to the APO, as well as Sydney Symphonia and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Michael has conducted MCO on several occasions during season concerts and regional tours; he has performed the world premiere of the Weiland Violin Concerto with soloist William Hennessy and Trinitas with composer and pianist Benjamin Martin. He has also conducted orchestral performances at ANAM, for Education and Community Outreach programs and Open Day, also numerous ensembles for Melbourne Youth Music, Youth Philharmonic Melbourne and community orchestras and ensembles.