Brisbane’s The IncrediBows headed to famed music festival following new Foundation launch

A group of Brisbane teenagers are heading to one of the world’s most acclaimed chamber music festivals, proving that Australia’s next generation of musical talent is not only emerging, its ready for the global stage.

Fresh from winning the prestigious Musica Viva Strike A Chord national competition, the string quartet The IncrediBows will travel to Cairns, this July to take part in the acclaimed Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s Pathways Program, and an intensive eight-day immersion alongside some of the world’s finest musicians.

The opportunity has been supported by the newly established Di Jameson Family Foundation, a Brisbane-based philanthropic initiative focused on strengthening pathways for emerging Australian musicians at a time when access to training and performance opportunities is becoming increasingly competitive. With an initial investment supporting programs across multiple states, the Foundation is helping to ensure young artists can access the kind of high-level mentoring and professional experiences that are critical to building sustainable careers in music.

For Ein Na (17), Eric Kim (17), and brothers Haydn Li (18) and George Li (15), chamber music began as something they did together as friends at school and then in the Queensland Youth Orchestra. Now, as national champions, they will rehearse, learn and perform alongside leading international artists, culminating in a public showcase concert at Cairns’ Bulmba-ja Theatre on Wednesday 29 July.

Formed in 2022 under the guidance of mentor Tim Li, The IncrediBows represent the strength of Queensland’s grassroots music pathways, and the extraordinary outcomes possible when talent is nurtured early. While Ein is unable to attend due to other musical commitments, violinist Holly Shelton will join the ensemble for their Festival debut.

Delivered in partnership with Musica Viva Australia, this high school component of the broader AFCM Pathways Program is part of the cornerstone development programs of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, providing young musicians with rare access to mentoring, masterclasses and performance opportunities within a professional festival environment.

From 24 July to 1 August, the Festival will transform Cairns into a global chamber music capital — and for one rising Brisbane quartet, it marks the beginning of a journey from local stages to the world.

Quotes from the Di Jameson Family Foundation

“Australia produces world-class musical talent well beyond our size. Yet opportunities for young artists are narrowing, particularly outside major metropolitan centres,” Founder Di Jameson OAM said. “DJFF has been established to help bridge that gap, investing in our talent to make sure it is not lost before it can thrive. DJFF is headquartered in Brisbane, reflecting Queensland’s growing cultural ambition and emergence as a global city ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Queensland has produced and nurtured classically trained artists now known the world over – from signer Kate Miller-Heidke to violinist Ray Chen to pianist Piers Lane (also appearing at, and a former Artistic Director of, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music), proving that global success can start here. We want to ensure more young Australian musicians to have that same opportunity, regardless of their postcode or background.”

Quotes from Anne Frankenberg, CEO Musica Viva Australia

“We’ve watched the outstanding young members of The IncrediBows develop across multiple years of Strike A Chord since they were some of our very youngest National Finalists. Strike A Chord has been creating pathways for outstanding young musicians since its inception in 2020, and it feels very natural to partner with our colleagues at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and provide the chance to connect with the outstanding musicians who come together for the Festival. We can’t wait to hear what adventures they will have!” 

Australian Festival of Chamber Music: 24 July – 1 August, 2026

Tickets on sale now at www.afcm.com.au | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #afcm

AFCM is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland; Cairns Regional Council; the Ian Potter Foundation; and the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES