SUMMER CONCERTS
WHEN: FRIDAY 16th January to Sunday 18th January 2026.
EXPLORE OUR PROGRAM AND BOOK TICKETS HERE
Cello Dreaming presents its fourth Summer Concerts series at Eudlo Hall, 16-18 January 2026, featuring three small hall concerts celebrating the expressive power, versatility, and beauty of the cello. Guest artists from across Australia and abroad perform alongside emerging musicians in a weekend of curated programming by a cellist for cello lovers, from folk and contemporary works to tango, Baroque gems, and a grand classical finale.
Tickets: $15–$45 and $100 family ticket
WHERE Eudlo Hall, 19 Rosebed Street Hinterland Sunshine Coast (Gubbi Gubbi country) QLD.
Our 2026 Summer Concerts
Friday 16 January, 7–8:30 pm – Folk & Originals
Guest cellist Rachel Johnston joins our 2026 Summer Retreat Artists for an evening blending traditional Irish reels, classic tunes like Greensleeves, and new works by Ailbhe McDonagh, Daniel Delaney, Jeremy Crosmer, and Kaitlyn Raitz. The second half features headline duo Those Folk with special cello cameos, celebrating the meeting of folk, contemporary music, and cello artistry.
Saturday 17 January, 7–8:30 pm – Tango & Baroque
Louise King, pianist Cara Tran (Tango Enigmatico), and our 2026 Summer Retreat Artists explore the vibrant connection between movement and music. From the refined elegance of Baroque masters J.S. Bach and Michel Corrette to the fiery rhythms of Piazzolla, De Falla, Ginastera, and La Cumparsita, the program also includes works by Ailbhe McDonagh, featuring solos, duos, trios, and cello quartets with piano that celebrate the cello’s expressive range across centuries and cultures.
Sunday 18 January, 3:30–5 pm – Classical Cellissimo!
International master cellists György Déri, Rachel Johnston, and Louise King lead a grand finale of the 2026 Summer Retreat. Masterclass Artists perform virtuosic works and our 2026 faculty perform works by Ross Edwards, Tormod Tvete Vik, Gaspar Cassadó, and Weber, while the Retreat Cello Choir presents Vivaldi, Goltermann, Piazzolla, Karl Jenkins, Andrea Rellini, and a world premiere from the 2026 Call for Scores campaign, culminating in a thrilling ensemble finale.
OUR CONCERT ARTISTS
- Those Folk ‘Those Folk’ are a husband & wife musical duo comprised of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, Lawrence Menard and Clare Quinn. A partnership forged in the fires of folk music, their songwriting explores love, hope, belonging, and the human condition. Breathtaking vocal harmonies are featured alongside guitars, mandolin, banjo and accordion.
- Louise King (Retreat Artistic Director, Cello Dreaming, Muses Trio, Long Listen Festival and ABC Classics recording artist. Graduate of Royal College and Royal Northern College of Music, UK, former member of BBC Philharmonic, Halle Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra)
- Rachel Johnston (former member of the Australian String Quartet and Tankstream Quartet, graduate of Juilliard School, London University, and Canterbury University (NZ), ABC Classics and Move Records Artist and non-classical contemporary genre specialist)
- Gyorgy Deri (Senior Lecturer Cello, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Brisbane Queensland)
- Julia Janiszewski (Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Strings Teacher, Environmental Scientist)
- Francesca Masel (Retreat Emerging Young Artist in Residence 2026 Graduate Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and QCGU Brisbane, AYO Alumni and UpBeat Camerata artist 2023).
- Lisa Pirlo (Pianist, Retreat Accompanist)
