About Us

Experience the beauty of music with Riverbend Ensemble’s inspiring performances. Elevate your spirit and join us in our musical journey.

Feel the Soul of Chamber Music

Approachable programs

Cross-platform collaborations

Championing NEW Australian music

Passion for social well-being

Riverbend Ensemble was founded in 2022 by Helen Carvolth in Brisbane, Australia. We have a mission to provide concerts with unique programming which appeal both to regular concert goers and those unfamiliar with the intimate genre.

We offer dynamic performances and quality collaborations, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Since July 2022 we have performed in Brisbane, Toowoomba, and Maleny. In 2024 we received a Brisbane City Council Creative Sparks Grant for “Brush and Bow”. This project involved two performances of an entirely Australian program, with two newly commissioned works by Dr Thomas Green and Rachel Merton. “Music and Live Painting” involved nine artists painting live in response to this music, whilst “Music and Art Projections” paired music with a screen projection of the works of artist Kate Marek.

Alongside the above commissioned works by Green and Merton, Riverbend Ensemble has also premiered new works by composer-in-residence, Alys Rayner. “Three poems by Christopher Brennan” (for clarinet quintet and spoken voice) and “The Orange Tree” demonstrated Rayner’s trademark passion for poetry set to music; Rayner’s affinity for song was also evident in her reimagining of Franz Gruber’s Silent Night, “Unbeteutend”.

The members of Riverbend Ensemble collectively have a passion for social justice and the well-being of our communities. We have raised funds through our concerts for Friends with Dignity, Asylum Seeker Hub, and Anglicare’s Youth Homelessness Building Project.

Inspired Chamber Music Excellence

Meet Our Remarkable Ensemble

Helen Carvolth

Founder & Violinist

Helen graduated from University of Queensland, School of Music with a Master of Music (performance) degree in 1999. She won the University string prize in 1996 and has performed with The Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Pops Orchestra and Ady Ensemble. Helen was Concert Master of Ipswich City Symphony from 2014 to 2022. In 2020 She led the Ipswich City String Quartet in its tour of regional south east queensland, (Taking Flight) Funded by a regional arts development grant.

Alys Rayner

Violinist, composer

Alys Rayner is a native of Albury, And studied Violin, Viola and Composition in Canberra and the Queensland Conservatorium Of Music. She was the 2020 Composer-In-Residence for the Australian Voices and is now Composer-In-Residence for Riverbend Ensemble. Alys is a sought after teacher and freelance musician, and currently teaches at St Margarets Anglican Girl’s School.

Shannon Luk

Violist, viola da gamba

Shannon Luk is a diverse instrumentalist, specialising in early instruments including Baroque violin, viola, cello, viola da gamba and theorbo. He studied at the University of Qld with Patricia Pollett (viola) and Michael O’Loghlin (viola da gamba) and has extensively through Australia, Europe and Asia with many different ensembles. Shannon is also a trained luthier.

Alex McPherson

Cellist

Alex studied Cello at the University of Queensland with Gwyn Roberts, and continued his studies in Tasmania. He has played in the Hobart Baroque Ensemble, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Pops Orchestra, The Australian Session Orchestra and Ady Ensemble. In 2014 He played in Azerbaijan with the Australian String Virtuosi.