MANAGEMENT

After initial studies in Piano, Cello & Voice, Hamish Madden won 1st prize in the 2018 & 2019 ASME Young Composer Awards. In 2020, he was appointed Organ Scholar of St. George’s Church, Goodwood under the tutelage of Dr. Joshua van Konkelenberg. In 2021, he was awarded a Choral Scholarship at Christ Church, North Adelaide whilst pursuing conducting tuition with Graham Abbott. In 2023, he relocated to Melbourne, Australia; he sings with the Melbourne Bach Choir, Ensemble Gombert, and the choirs of St. Peter’s Eastern Hill and St. Paul’s Cathedral. He is a founding Artistic Director and the Chorus-master of Ascolta Qui.

Having been enamoured with conducting since childhood, Jessica Zuk had her first taste of leading an ensemble when she took over conducting the high school orchestra upon the absence of its regular director. She is currently studying in the conducting program at the University of Adelaide in conjunction with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, tutored by Dr Luke Dollman. She has recently conducted performances with the Melbourne Bach Choir and the Adelaide Summer Orchestra, as well as Ascolta Qui's in-house orchestra, Aurora Sinfonia.

Jess completed her prior tertiary music studies as a flautist (First Class Hons, University of Melbourne; BMus, Monash University), and has played in the Melbourne Opera Orchestra, the University of Melbourne Symphony and Monash Academy orchestras. She has been the recipient of several awards and prizes including the 2022 Barbara Bishop Hewitt Scholarship (Melbourne University) and the 2019 and 2017 Anna Chmiel Memorial Woodwind Prizes (Monash University).

Jess has premiered new works by local composers at venues and festivals around Victoria and looks forward to continuing to support up-and-coming composers in her role as co-Artistic Director at Ascolta Qui.

Jess is also a classically trained vocalist and a founding member of Ascolta Qui's choir.