Susie Furphy, violin
Credit: Jonathan Wallis
Susie Furphy is a Hobart based physiotherapist and musician. Born in Melbourne, then moving with her parents and three older siblings to country Victoria at age 5, Susie started learning piano from her mother in utero, and took up the violin at age 10 to learn from highly respected violinist and teacher, Jean Lehmann OAM when she relocated from Melbourne to Bendigo.
This musical start led to a music scholarship to Presbyterian Ladies’ College, bringing her back to Melbourne, where she continued studying piano under En Pai Lin and violin under Adrian Factor, achieving her A Mus A in violin at 16.
Susie commenced a Bachelor of Arts and Music at Melbourne University and Conservatorium in 1996 before deciding to study physiotherapy instead after a deferral year.
Throughout her studies and professional life as a physiotherapist, Susie had consistently continued a rich musical performance life, including international touring and recording projects singing with The Choir of Ormond College and Ensemble Gombert.
During a 5 year stint in Cambridge, UK, Susie returned to her violin, having lessons from Chris Hirons (Academy of Ancient Music) and having opportunities to work alongside and participate in masterclasses with baroque violinist Judy Tarling and with the late Sir Christopher Hogwood.
Since moving to Hobart in 2009, Susie is regular concertmaster and soloist with the Hobart Chamber Orchestra. She has played casually with the TSO and has played baroque violin with Van Diemen’s Band since its beginning, including recording Händel’s 6 Concerti Grossi on the BIS label, released in 2021.
Susie is raising two more little violinists with her partner, Jonathan, and feels extremely lucky to call Nipaluna / Hobart home and to wake to an ever changing view of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington every morning.
This musical start led to a music scholarship to Presbyterian Ladies’ College, bringing her back to Melbourne, where she continued studying piano under En Pai Lin and violin under Adrian Factor, achieving her A Mus A in violin at 16.
Susie commenced a Bachelor of Arts and Music at Melbourne University and Conservatorium in 1996 before deciding to study physiotherapy instead after a deferral year.
Throughout her studies and professional life as a physiotherapist, Susie had consistently continued a rich musical performance life, including international touring and recording projects singing with The Choir of Ormond College and Ensemble Gombert.
During a 5 year stint in Cambridge, UK, Susie returned to her violin, having lessons from Chris Hirons (Academy of Ancient Music) and having opportunities to work alongside and participate in masterclasses with baroque violinist Judy Tarling and with the late Sir Christopher Hogwood.
Since moving to Hobart in 2009, Susie is regular concertmaster and soloist with the Hobart Chamber Orchestra. She has played casually with the TSO and has played baroque violin with Van Diemen’s Band since its beginning, including recording Händel’s 6 Concerti Grossi on the BIS label, released in 2021.
Susie is raising two more little violinists with her partner, Jonathan, and feels extremely lucky to call Nipaluna / Hobart home and to wake to an ever changing view of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington every morning.