Examiner 1292

AMusA

Judy Hellmers has 40 years of experience as a professional teacher, session musician and freelance violinist. She studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and learned orchestral repertoire while playing in the ABC National Training Orchestra.

Ms Hellmers has toured with artists including Genesis, Gene Pitney, Linda Ronstadt, Barry Manilow and Barbara Streisand and has performed in backing orchestras for Julio Iglesias and John Denver. She was concert master for Her Majesty’s production of Annie and associate concert master for the West End production of West Side Story and the Harlem production of Porgy and Bess. Ms Hellmers performed for many years with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Her work as a session musician includes many recordings, film scores and television commercials.

In addition to serving as head of strings at The Scots College and as director of strings at The Emanuel School, Ms Hellmers has taught violin and piano at many schools in New South Wales. She has adjudicated at many eisteddfods and strings festivals throughout New South Wales. Her community work includes performing at retirement villages.

Positions held

• President – Australian Strings Association, NSW Chapter (2012)
• Vice President – Australian Strings Association, NSW Chapter (2014)
• Committee member – Australian Strings Association, NSW Chapter