A graduate of the University of Queensland (Master of Philosophy in Music; Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours), Queensland University of Technology (Graduate Diploma in Education with Distinction) and the University of Tasmania (Graduate Certificate in Music Studies), Chloe Ann Williamson maintains an eclectic and successful career, as a freelance double bassist. During her undergraduate studies, Chloe undertook a double major in music performance and musicology, specifically nineteenth century solo double bass performance practice. She was the recipient of many scholarships and awards including an Australian Postgraduate Award (for students of exceptional research potential), to undertake her master’s degree.
A diverse musician, Chloe has performed both nationally and internationally with a variety of Australian orchestras including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Queensland Pops Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Well-versed in musical theatre, she has also performed as Principal Double Bass for the Brisbane seasons of Dr Zhivago (2011) and The Sound of Music (2016) and was the Deputy Double Bassist for several shows during the Brisbane seasons of Les Miserables (2015) and the Wizard of Oz (2017).
A keen chamber musician, Chloe manages and performs in Brisbane-based string quartet, Four Strings performing regularly at weddings as well as corporate and private functions. She has also performed as a guest with acclaimed chamber music ensembles the Black Square Quartet, Collusion and Southern Cross Soloists as well as at several chamber and folk music festivals. Chloe was a co-recipient of the 2015 and 2016 Queensland Music Award (World) for the songs ‘Enfants du Chemin’ and ‘Nightwatch’ which she co-wrote as a former member of the band, MZAZA.
The leading proponent of tango double bass in Australia, Chloe has a host of accolades and a strong dedication to Argentine tango as an art form. In 2016, she was awarded a Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artist Fellowship and PPCA Grant to enable her to attend Tango for Musicians at Reed College in Portland (OR), USA, as well as undertake further study and research of tango music in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2018, Chloe again attended the Tango for Musicians course with the support of a PPCA Grant that was awarded to the Mendoza Tango Quartet – her former ensemble which she co-founded and directed from 2014-2018. She has studied with the best in the world of tango double bass – Ignacio Varchausky (author of The Bass In Tango), Juan Pablo Navarro and Pablo Aslan. As well as directing and playing in her own ensemble, Tango Enigmático, Chloe regularly performs with leading Sydney-based tango ensemble, Tángalo.
In addition to her hectic performing schedule, Chloe is a passionate educator, regularly tutoring and sitting on the audition panel for the Queensland Youth Orchestras.
