Australian String Quartet Violist to Take on New Role

Stephen King will step down from his role as the quartet's violist, becoming the ensemble's Director of Engagement and Learning

In this new position, King will help develop creative collaborations and educational initiatives for the Australian String Quartet (ASQ).

He will continue to perform with fellow quartet members Dale Barltrop, Francesca Hiew, and Michael Dahlenburg until May, before moving into his new role in the second half of the year. A replacement violist has not yet been announced.

Since King joined the ASQ in 2012, he championed new Australian commissions and recordings, projects with First Nations artists, and business partnerships.

"This is a new role for the ASQ and it can be quite broad and exciting," King said in an interview with Australia's Limelight Magazine. "It covers special projects and collaborations such as jointly directing the Square Circles VR experience with William Barton. It also will provide a position to pass on the chamber music and performing knowledge to make more of ASQ’s educational impact from school age through young professionals and the large community of musicians for whom performing is not their career."