Gillian Kinnear

Gillian Kinnear (nee Willis) has had an extensive career as a teacher and performer. She held the position of Head of Woodwind at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Melbourne for 22 years and was the Coordinator of Woodwind at Grimwade House, Melbourne Grammar School for 12 years. She is now semi-retired, teaching clarinet part-time at Frankston High School and is Principal Clarinet with the Mornington Peninsula Chamber Orchestra.

As a young performer in Sydney, Gillian was a member of the ABC Sinfonia, the Hunter Orchestra, Sydney Wind Consortium and the Melbourne Philharmonic, as well as playing in numerous community orchestras and productions.

After moving to Melbourne, Gillian completed her Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Performance at the University of Melbourne in 1996. She played with the Geminiani Chamber Orchestra and the Malvern Symphony Orchestra (now the Stonnington Orchestra). Gillian was a founding member of both the contemporary music ensemble, ‘Contrasts’ and the chamber group, Montpellier Trio. She was a regular performer in the Astra Chamber Music Society series of concerts and was an Artist in Residence at La Trobe University Music Department, working with developing composers.

An active environmentalist, Gillian is Vice President of her local bush regeneration group in Frankston South. She strives to live sustainably and grows much of her food at home.

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