Our Team

President

Eve Brown has been a dedicated member of the Moreton Bay Symphony Orchestra (MBSO) since 2006, transitioning from violin to viola. Serving as President since 2010, Eve brings her passion for both music and education to the orchestra.

With a background as a primary school teacher specialising in inclusive education, she also coordinates her school’s instrumental program, fostering the next generation of young musicians.

Eve is committed to promoting musical excellence within the MBSO and the local community, collaborating with the orchestra team to feature local talent in performances. These concerts proudly showcase the works of local composers, talented soloists, and community ensembles, highlighting the rich musical landscape of the region.

In addition to her leadership in MBSO, Eve has successfully led several performance tours, including visits to Toowoomba, northern New South Wales, Mount Tamborine, New Zealand, and Tasmania, bringing MBSO’s music to broader audiences.

Musical Director

Bronwyn Gibbs, the Musical Director of both MBSO and the MBSO Youth Symphony, is a highly accomplished strings specialist. Since 2000, she has been conducting community orchestras and has established strings programs at numerous schools across Brisbane, sharing her passion for music with students and communities alike.

Bronwyn’s musical journey began at an early age, studying violin and piano. She achieved ATCL diplomas in both instruments, followed by a Diploma of Creative Arts (Music) at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in Toowoomba, where she studied violin under Spiros Rantos. Her training continued with the ABC National Training Orchestra in Sydney, before moving to Brisbane in 1984 to complete her LTCL in violin. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Instrumental Pedagogy, a Graduate Certificate in Music Studies, and a Master of Music Studies from the University of Queensland.

An active and long-standing member of the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA), Bronwyn has been involved in organising conferences, music festivals, workshops, and concerts, as well as adjudicating competitions and leading international tours. Her extensive experience includes performing with esteemed orchestras and ensembles such as the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra, and St Andrew's Sinfonia, among others.

Bronwyn has a deep passion for nurturing young artists, promoting their talents in both composition and performance. Under her direction, MBSO has expanded its repertoire to include not only classical masterpieces but also popular and contemporary works, reflecting her broad musical vision.

With her exceptional ability to recognise talent and develop strong orchestral technique, MBSO is proud to have Bronwyn Gibbs as its Musical Director, guiding the orchestra to new heights.

Concert Master & Conductor of Junior Strings

Katie Lawton is the Concertmaster of MBSO and the Conductor of the MBSO Junior Strings ensemble. She holds an Honours degree in Music Performance from the University of Queensland, where she studied voice with Leslie Purvis, violin and viola with Patricia Pollett, and cello with Gwyn Roberts.

Katie’s love for musical theatre shines both onstage and in the orchestra pit, having performed with numerous Brisbane theatre groups. She previously played first violin with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and continues to perform as a freelance musician, regularly appearing with a string quartet, a folk trio, and for colonial and bush dances.

With many years of experience as a music educator, Katie teaches strings at several schools across the Moreton Bay region, deeply passionate about making music education accessible to all. Her role as conductor of the MBSO Junior Strings allows her to nurture the next generation of musicians, fostering a love for music in young players.