PSO 2012 Conductors 

Paul Terracini | Cristian Cimel | George Ellis

 

Paul Terracini – Artistic Director

Paul Terracini is an Australian conductor, composer and arranger who now lives in the Blue Mountains after spending almost 20 years living and working in Europe. He was appointed Artistic Director of Penrith Symphony Orchestra in 2010 and is in constant demand as a guest conductor and instructor.

Paul has previously held positions as Principal Trumpet in the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra; Lecturer at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music; and Solo Trumpet in the Danish Chamber Players, with whom he performed throughout Europe, South America and Asia. He has also been guest professor and conductor at several conservatoriums in Europe and China. As a trumpet soloist, he has performed in Europe, the USA, England and Asia, as well as with the Melbourne, Queensland, Tasmanian and West Australian symphony orchestras. As a conductor, he has recorded ten CDs with the Prague Symphony Orchestra and conducted operas and orchestral concerts in Germany, Denmark and Italy.
Paul’s compositions have been performed by ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass, the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. He has composed widely for film and television, including the internationally acclaimed TV series Hymns of the Forefathers I & II and Classical Destinations.

Paul is also a theologian and church historian, currently researching his PhD on the influence of the Social Gospel in 20th century Australia.

For more information about Paul, visit www.paulterracini.com

Cristian Cimel – Guest Conductor

Following studies in piano, composition and conducting, Italian conductor Cristian Cimei performed widely as a solo pianist, chamber musician and maestro’s assistant for opera, ballet and concert performances in Europe. He moved to Sydney to undertake a Masters in Conducting under Imre Palló at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, which he completed with high distinction in 2008.

Cristian has been assistant conductor for Opera Australia productions of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and La Bohème, has twice received the Goossens Fellowship for Conducting, and in 2009 was a finalist in the Hephzibah Tintner Conducting Fellowship. He has conducted several community orchestras and choirs in Sydney, including the Strathfield Symphony and Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as orchestral, choral and operatic performances at the Conservatorium.

George Ellis – Conductor, Pops for Tots

George Ellis is well known as conductor and presenter of Penrith Symphony Orchestra’s popular annual children’s concerts, Pops for Tots. He has presented concerts for children around Australia, was director of the Babies Proms at the Sydney Opera House from 2002 to 2007, and in his work with children has appeared on national television and radio. In 2009 he returned to the Sydney Opera House as composer and conductor for the Orchestral Babies Proms series.

In 2000, George conducted the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Millennium Choirs for the Sydney Olympic Games and in 2004 he was musical director of the Millennium Choir for the Athens Olympics. He has been an Assistant Conductor for Opera Australia and maintains a busy freelance career conducting for stage and film as well as on the concert platform. He has conducted the major state orchestras of Australia, as well as the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. His recent film credits include conducting music for Mao’s Last Dancer.

For more information about George, visit www.georgeellis.com.au