Caroline Henbest is a violist, a viola teacher at The Australian National Academy of Music, and an avid tea-drinker based in Brunswick, Melbourne.  Her upcoming concert project, From Nowhere to Now Here, features a collection of duos that were created with friends over Zoom during the recent Melbourne lockdowns.  The cycle of musical works were inspired by objects, poetry, and photographs; and the resulting project serves as a glimpse of pandemic life in 2020-2021 for a group of Australian creative artists.

Caroline approached me for portrait photography as she wanted some new images of herself, and she wanted help with building a website for the purposes of promoting From Nowhere to Now Here. The brief was to present something that was honest, fun, and full of character.

The colour palette we chose was bright and we made sure we included her favourite colour orange in the mix. I had an absolute ball working on this project with Caroline. The highlight for me was posing Gregory the skeleton during our photoshoot. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I found myself taking photos of Caroline giving Gregory a piano lesson.

To celebrate the world premiere of From Nowhere to Now Here on the 18th April 2022 at Tempo Rubato, here’s a Q and A with the Caroline.

Why the Viola, Caroline?

I started on violin, and began playing viola at age 13 when I was rostered to play it in a string quartet at the Menuhin School. I arrived at the first rehearsal not reading the clef and never having picked up the instrument. My first experience was playing the slow mvt of Mozart 'Dissonance' Quartet (K465). "Middle line is C; off you go..." were my instructions. It was so much fun. What I was experiencing was the the viola as an ensemble instrument; how it functioned in the middle of the texture. So I love being in the centre of things and seeing how I can influence and enhance textures and interpretations from the middle.

Tell us a joke.

Well, although I wish I could remember the many funny jokes i have been told to me during my life, there is only one that sticks in my mind…

What did the zero say to the eight?

Nice belt.

During our photoshoot, I remember you shared many interesting anecdotes about objects in the house and the stories behind them. What's your most special possession/object and your memory behind it?

I think my little ceramic crooked house. Jenny (my younger sister) made it when she was very young in a craft project at school. I remember her being disappointed because the roof, being too heavy, sank into the walls. I have always loved this little crooked house - it talks to me. I have incorporated it into my project "From Nowhere to Now Here' and we added it into the foreground and background of many of the shots.

If you could have a cuppa with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why? What sort of tea do you think they'd drink?

To me, tea drinking symbolises shared moments and treasured memories. Right now, I can't think of a specific person to have tea with, just a moment to recapture. When I was 19, I visited a friend of a friend in Cologne, Germany. She was about the same age as me, and had just moved into her first grown up flat. I remember vividly: high ceilings, wooden floors, but no furniture. We sat on the floor around the only objects in the room, an old chest and a Japanese tea set. There were a few of us and we would never meet again; I don't even remember their names. We drank tea as we shared our hopes for the future, imagining the possibilities, the adventures and excitement of what lay ahead. I would be happy to experience another tea party like this. It's never too late to dream and reinvent your life. Also, everything starts with a conversation.

Tell me about the skeleton in your house.

Ah! Well, I am training to be a Feldenkrais Practitioner, and this plastic skeleton (Gregory) helps me understand how I am constructed and how I function. Moshé Feldenkrais (1904-1984) developed Awareness Through Movement, a movement based, self-awareness training. During the last 8 years I have become passionate about the method and its ability to transform lives; mine as well as others. I undertook the training to support my viola teaching at the Australian National Academy of Music; and it has been an important means for me to develop my pedagogical knowledge. It's amazing how much it has helped me navigate my way through life. and my training was an enormous help during 2020 when I spent most of the year by myself.

Tell me about your upcoming project.

From Nowhere to Now Here, 14 short pieces, 7 musicians, 1 movement theatre artist.

A new Australian work of chamber music and theatre, co-composed during 2020 over Zoom using words and images as inspiration.

World Premiere! 18 April, 2021, 7pm Tempo Rubato - click here for tickets

Check out my fabulous new website (thank you Agatha!) carolinehenbest.com

Why is 'From Nowhere to Now Here' important to you?

The music industry can be an unhappy and difficult place. But collaborating with friends, chamber music, joyful creativity, no politics. What's not to like?

What's a feature/detail of your website that you love the most?

I love the images of things. and all the pictures of Jenny's crooked little house. Also, there is heaps of orange, (my favourite colour).

Why was it important for you to setup a website?

I grew up in a time when musicians learned their craft and then sat by the phone, hoping for the best. Sounds ridiculous now! Luckily for me, it rang; but the world has changed and I want change too. I want to learn new skills so that I don't become a fossil.

My project 'From Nowhere to Now Here’ needs promotion. It needs a platform. There are 8 people involved, and it's my responsibility to spread the message. I want people to come to the concert so I need to be bold in my communication. I also need to raise some funds and having a beautiful and interesting website is a good way to interest those who might invest. I see the website as a friendly space to share my message; one which showcases myself and my creative practice, as well as the group of friends who will be joining me in the upcoming show.

My future plans include repeat performances and hopefully a film in collaboration with Polyphonic Pictures!

What's your favourite part about the photoshoot and working on this website together?

Two things. Drinking tea, and giving Gregory (my skeleton) a piano lesson.

For more information on her project click here.