After a decade in Germany performing across Europe, Asia and Australia, violinist Doretta Balkizas returned home to join the University of Queensland School of Music as Lecturer in Violin. She continues to maintain a dynamic international career as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral performer.

Doretta has performed, recorded and toured with leading ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Mahler Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Her work has taken her to major concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, Asia and Australia, reflecting the breadth of her artistic activity.

As a concerto soloist, she has appeared with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and Nanning Symphony Orchestra (China). She has also been recognised in major Australian competitions, including as a finalist in the Symphony Australia Young Performer Award and the Dorcas McClean Travelling Scholarship, where she received the inaugural Fritz Kreisler Prize.

A committed chamber musician, Doretta has performed at the International Holland Music Sessions, Musica Viva Festival, Coriole Music Festival, Mackay Chamber Music Festival and the Yellow Barn Music Festival. She has also undertaken regional recital tours with Musica Viva Australia, bringing chamber music to audiences across the country.

Dedicated to the development of young musicians, Doretta tutors for the Australian Youth Orchestra and Musica Viva Australia’s education programs, and regularly serves as an adjudicator for competitions including Strike a Chord, QYO’s National Youth Concerto Competition and the Kendall National Violin Competition.

She completed her Master of Music with distinction at the Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler” Berlin with Mi-Kyung Lee, following earlier studies with Alice Waten at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.