WITH term 2 coming to a close, the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium (the Con) has some exciting plans coming up in the school holidays for students and audiences alike.

Beginning on July 5, the annual String Camp program kicks off at the Con.

This year’s edition sees five staff involved, three of whom are visiting artists.

A brilliant and exciting young violist, Harry Swainston, is visiting from the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne.

Liz Neville, a spectacular cellist from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will be joining Harry for the week, along with a previous local violinist, Lachlan Wilkins, who brings his exciting violin performances and passion for education to the Con.

Alongside Conservatorium Executive Director Patrick Brearley, and Head of Strings and Programs Coordinator, Annabelle Swainston, these five musicians will be performing, tutoring, and delivering workshops and masterclasses to the students throughout the week.

With a staff concert on Thursday July 7, featuring two brilliant string quintets, and a grand finale concert on Friday 8 July, this program is one for string students and chamber music lovers and is sure to be a wonderful week of community and collaboration.

July 8 sees a very special evening concert featuring the Con’s very own bass specialist, Danny Stitt on stage with his band Uncle Jed.

This band took the nation by storm with their spine-tingling performances on reality TV’s ‘Australia’s Got Talent’.

Featuring brothers Shannon and Danny Stitt and the stunning vocals of their cousin Laura Brooker, this world class trio went on to win the competition, propelling their album to #6 on the iTunes Charts and receiving millions of YouTube hits.

Following the recent appointment of international concert pianist, Roger Cui, the Coffs Con is also thrilled to announce the inaugural Academy of Piano Performance (APP) school holiday program.

The four-day intensive program is open to students aged twelve to 24 and consists of pedagogical workshops, body rhythm workshops, one-on-one lessons with Academy tutors Roger Cui and Lana Chapliiova.

As well as educational opportunities, the four-day program features three separate performances by Roger, Lana, and visiting musicians and dancers, and a grand finale student showcase concert on Thursday July 14 at 3pm.

All concerts are open to the public with tickets currently on sale.

APP aims to ignite piano students of the Coffs Coast area and beyond by providing exceptional learning and musical experiences to the region and delivers world-class tuition and education right at the home of music education on the Coffs Coast, the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium.

Head to the Con’s website at www.coffscon.org.au or social media pages for more information.