About

Melbourne-based collective Wattleseed Ensemble brings some of Australia’s most exciting performers together, combining their expertise on period instruments with wide-ranging repertoire and a love of storytelling through music.After their debut in the midst of the COVID pandemic at the online Port Fairy Spring Music Festival in November 2020, they have performed for Musica Viva Australia, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the 3MBS festival Music, She Wrote. In March 2022 they embarked on their first tour, HOME: a concert that explored the incredibly diverse, yet unifying concept of home that each person, and each piece of music holds. At its centre was the premiere of From Home by Melbourne-based composer Matt Laing, an ambitious and thought-provoking piece based on the changing environment of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.In 2025, Wattleseed will finally bring Matt's work home to the Fleurieu, and record it as a stunning new art/music video with videographer Denis Smith.Wattleseed’s raison d’etre is to bring diverse audiences together in harmonious contemplation of music, and the things that make us human. From Hildegard von Bingen, they flow seamlessly into the high Baroque, folk music and contemporary Australian works, creating fascinating and intimate sound worlds. Wattleseed is dedicated to fostering meaningful connection with the VIC regions through advocacy and education.

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Katie Yap | viola

Brisbane-born Katie Yap is known for her deeply personal performances as a modern and baroque violist; and a flair for thoughtful, narrative-driven programs as a curator, debuting as festival director in 2021 for 3MBS’ ‘Music, She Wrote’ festival. She plays with ensembles around Australia, including the Australian World Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and Genesis Baroque Orchestra. She is always happiest playing chamber music, and is a founding member of the Chrysalis Harp Trio, and the co-artistic director of Wattleseed Ensemble.

Meg Cohen | violin

Meg is a violinist with a multi-faceted practice. She specialises in both modern and baroque violin, curating new projects and delving into chamber music. Trained in Sydney and now based in Naarm, Meg performs regularly with the Melbourne Chamber and Symphony orchestras, Genesis Baroque, and the Australian Haydn Ensemble. Meg has performed at all major festivals and venues across the country, and recorded with ABC Classics. She is the co-artistic director of Wattleseed Ensemble.

David Moran | cello

David is an Australian cellist with broad musical interests specialising in the interpretation of exploratory music. Recent accolades include 5-star reviews in Limelight for Kate Neal’s, ‘While You Sleep’, at the Canberra International Music Festival, and for his performances in ‘1:1’ for the Adelaide Festival. David has been a member of the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra for the 2022 and 2023 Lucerne Festivals. David recently completed a Master’s degree at Monash University under the supervision of Prof Cat Hope. His thesis, which was awarded a H1, focused on the impacts of extended cello techniques on virtuosity. David also studied at the Australian National Academy of Music under Howard Penny and completed a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours at the University of Adelaide. He has a longstanding duo with Dr Iran Sanadzadeh and is a regular casual cellist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. David has also appeared on the ABC television program, ArtWorks in a segment on extended technique.

Nick Pollock | theorbo, baroque guitar

Nick Pollock is an Australian multi-instrumentalist specialising in early plucked strings. Starting out on electric guitar, he then progressed to the renaissance lute, theorbo, baroque guitar, baroque lute, archlute, cittern and gallichon. A dynamic and versatile performer, Nicholas is equally at home playing guitar in a punk band as performing the intimate lute works of John Dowland.
Nicholas is in demand as a continuo player and regularly performs in Australia and abroad with leading Australian early music and contemporary ensembles such as Pinchgut Opera, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Australian Haydn Ensemble, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Laura Vaughan | viola da gamba

Melbourne-based viola da gamba specialist Laura Vaughan is a dynamic and well-recognised member of the early music movement in Australia. Passionate about the unique sound world of the viol, Laura is committed to bringing this exquisite repertoire to audiences around the world. She is also one of the few exponents of the rare lirone and baryton.
Laura can be heard regularly on ABC Classic FM as soloist and chamber musician and has recorded solo recordings for the Move and Paladino labels. She works with Australian early music ensembles including the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Orchestra of the Antipodes,The Australian Haydn Ensemble, Bach Akademie Australia, Van Diemen’s Band, and Latitude 37.