Sophia Di Lucchio is a multi-disciplinary violinist and performance artist. With roots in classical training and branches outstretched to the modern and abstract, she regularly performs as a chamber, orchestral, and solo musician.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in music from the Queensland Conservatorium and is currently undertaking her Honours year. Sophia is inspired by the possibilities of genre-bending performance, particularly the fusion of music with poetry and visual art. 

Sophia excitedly seeks out new and innovative opportunities with other rising artists. When she is not performing, Sophia loves reading, exploring nature, and spending time with her cat.

Bridget Wegner is a Townsville-born, Brisbane-based violist currently studying a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and Science degree at the University of Queensland (UQ), majoring in viola under the tutelage of Professor Patricia Pollett. Bridget is principal violist for both the UQ Symphony Orchestra and the Pulse Chamber Orchestra.

In 2023 and 2024, she toured with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland for the Festival of Outback Opera in Winton and Longreach. She has also performed in various chamber ensembles at university events and was a finalist in the Sleath and Richard Pollett String prizes last year. Before her university studies, Bridget received the Youth Development award in the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition and won first place in the Townsville Eisteddfod Instrumental Championship.

This year, Bridget was featured live on ABC Classic FM, performing Beethoven’s Septet with members of the Australian Youth Orchestra. She is excited to collaborate with the Southern Cross Soloists.

Hamish Cassidy is an emerging clarinettist and bass clarinettist from within the Brisbane (Meanjin) region who breathes life into his music wherever he plays, from the symphony orchestra to chamber music performances. Hamish is fascinated by the small details within music and has a passion for exploring the limits of his sound and what it can express. It is this drive to tell stories through music-making which continue to motivate the beginnings of his career as a musician. Hamish has a keen interest in a broad range of genres from classical to contemporary and experimental music. He has even begun to explore improvisation in a collective setting as part of his trio ‘Blue Poles’. 

Hamish has recently graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a Bachelor of Music Honours (Performance) under the tutelage of Prof. Paul Dean and Irit Silver. He has also worked alongside Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Q. Finally, Hamish has started working in a teaching role this year as a saxophone tutor at Ipswich Grammar School.

William studied at UQ and holds a Bachelor of Mathematics majoring in Pure Maths and a Bachelor of Music. He was awarded the UQ Percussion Prize (2020, 2022) and has also received several awards for composition, including the Percy Brier Prize (2020). His flute sextet, Launch, was performed and professionally recorded (2022). 

William was invited to perform Histoire du Tango for flute and marimba alongside QSO musicians in a 2022 UQ Concert. He has played with AYO since age 14 and alsoplayed timpani with Brisbane Excelsior Band. William has performed with Ensemble Q, The Queensland Choir and is a casual percussionist with QSO.

Completing her studies with QSO Section Principal Alison Michell and Triple Grammy award winning musician Tim Munro, Amy Tashjian is passionate about offering audiences innovative and dynamic experiences in her music making. She formerly studied at the Royal College of Music, London under the tutelage of Gitte Marcusson is a graduate of the Conservatorium High School, Sydney.

Amy made her Sydney Opera House debut at 17 as a featured soloist in the NSW Festival of Instrumental Music. She has performed a concerto with the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and has performed in a class capacity for flautists including Michael Cox, Denis Bouriakov, Patricia Morris, Adam Walker and Joshua Batty. 

Amy is an avid orchestral player, having played principal flute with ensembles including the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, University of London Symphony Orchestra, Royal College of Music Wind Ensemble and NSW Arts Unit Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, in a chamber music capacity she has participated in the Hayes Street Studio Young Artist Program and is currently a Southern Cross Soloists Next Gen Artist. She has performed in a masterclass with the LA Philharmonic Wind Quintet, and is a previous winner of the Yamaha Woodwind Prize in Musica Viva’s Strike a Chord Competition. Amy currently runs the Alfredo Collective and curates the Con Spirito Lunchtime Concerts at Saint Andrew’s Uniting Church.