Jacqui Finlay

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jacqui holds a BMus degree from the University of Pretoria. She has extensive experience as principal cellist in numerous orchestras, including the South African National Youth Orchestra, the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra, and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.

Jacqui migrated to Adelaide with her family at the end of 2009 and has established herself as one of the busiest freelance cellists. Jacqui is usually the principal cellist with the Adelaide Concert Orchestra, has been the principal cellist with the former Adelaide Art Orchestra, and is often the principal cellist for various orchestras in Adelaide. She has also enjoyed the privilege of performing with many other great artists, such as the Three Tenors, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Joshua Bell, Luciano Pavarotti, Josh Groban, James Morrison, Michael Buble, Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. She has performed in many Adelaide seasons of touring musicals.

A great lover of chamber music, Jacqui has played with many groups in Adelaide, in particular as cellist of the award-winning string quartet, Amicus Strings. In addition, she appears as a recording artist on various South African recordings, including the Salon Music CDs Polka, Trumpet Dreams and Café Society. In Australia, she has recorded for The Edge Church and some television advertisements.

In addition to Jacqui’s performing commitments, she is a committed cello teacher and ensemble director. She teaches at her home studio and at various top private schools in Adelaide, which have included Wilderness School, Immanuel College, St Peter’s College and Westminster School. She often sits as a member on audition panels for various groups, including the Adelaide Youth Orchestras and South Australia music camp. She loves tutoring the cello sections of these groups and sharing her passion for performing. Jacqui is also an examiner of cello for the Australian Music Examinations Board.