NEW DATES CONFIRMED DECEMBER 2026
Due to a high level of registrations there are very few places remaining. Contact Elizabeth Koch by Wednesday August 5 if you intend applying.
Sunday December 13 to Friday December 18
Venue: Elder Hall, North Terrace, Adelaide University
Expressions of interest to Elizabeth Koch AM
elizabeth.koch@adelaide.edu.au
+61 409 282 927
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Master Teacher & Performer
Michael Cox enjoys a rich and varied musical life. He was Principal Flute of the London Symphony Orchestra for five years before moving to the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he is the solo flutist of two top UK chamber orchestras, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the London Mozart Players. He has appeared widely as a soloist in all continents and made many concerti, recital and chamber recordings (including for Sony, Naxos, EMI). A popular artist internationally, Michael Cox has been asked to play at festivals in Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Ireland, Brasil, Korea, Mexico, Switzerland, USA and Scotland in just the last few months.
Years of dedication to the performance of new music has led to direct collaborations with composers such as Stockhausen, Boulez, Reich, Berio, Dutilleux, Adams and Takemitsu amongst the greats, as well as with rafts of composers of the younger generations. He has given world and UK premieres of a great number of solo pieces (many of them written for him) and he is a composer in his own right. In 2009, Michael Cox joined the UK’s foremost new music ensemble, the London Sinfonietta. He also enjoys performing on period instruments and is active in studio and film studio work.
Michael left the BBC Symphony Orchestra this year after 25 years to concentrate on more self-curated projects and to work with a wider range of orchestras and ensembles as well as working more in the film music sector. Since then, he has been guest Principal Flute with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
A passionate and committed teacher, Michael Cox has given classes in many parts of the world, is a professor of flute at the Royal Academy of Music (from where many of his students have gone on to hold positions in orchestras around the world) and is Artistic Director of a unique orchestral training website, Principal Chairs. A book focusing on his teaching is currently being prepared by Australian flutist Joanna Sullivan. Michael is an International Artist for Altus flutes.
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Curator
Elizabeth Koch AM is an Emeritus Fellow at The University of Adelaide.
Previously, Elizabeth was Associate Professor of Flute, Head of Performance and Head of Woodwind at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, and spent >20 years at the University of Adelaide. Elizabeth’s orchestral experience is extensive with 27 years in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
She was also Principal Flute of the Australian Youth Orchestra and Principal Flute of the Adelaide Chamber Orchestra. She has performed as soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Chamber Orchestra.
In 1976 Elizabeth was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to study with Maxence Larrieu in Paris and has since performed in masterclasses with master teachers including Jean-Pierre Rampal, Alain Marion, Andras Adorjan, Sir James Galway, Susan Milan and William Bennett.
Her students have been accepted into the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, London, the Mannes School, New York, Yale University and have won positions in Australian symphony orchestras and the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Elizabeth has been awarded a number of University prizes including the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Prize, a Carrick Citation and the University of Adelaide’s highest teaching award, the Stephen Cole the Elder Excellence in Teaching Prize. In 2010 Elizabeth won an ALTC (Australian Learning and Teaching Prize) for her excellence in teaching on a national level.
In June 2016, Elizabeth was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for her significant service to the performing arts, particularly to music education and performance, and through executive roles with professional associations.
In June 2006, Elizabeth was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for her services to flute music and for the mentoring of young musicians. -
Associate Artist
Leigh Harrold is one of Australia’s busiest and most sought-after pianists, having performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, Africa and Australia as both soloist and chamber musician.
His international reputation as a collaborative pianist has led to duos with such luminaries as Thomas Reibl, lecturer in viola at the Salzburg Mozarteum; Michael Cox, principal flautist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra; Daniel Gaede, ex-concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; and Swedish soprano Camilla Tilling. He has twice been awarded the Geoffrey Parsons Award for Associate Artists. He is also a founding member of the Helpmann Award-nominated Syzygy Ensemble, one of Australia’s most critically lauded and active contemporary music ensembles.
An enthusiastic and committed teacher, speaker, and writer, Leigh has given several masterclasses around the world, and many pre- and post-concert talks. In 2013 Leigh was awarded a PhD for his research into the music of Robert Muczynski for which he received a Dean’s Commendation for Thesis Excellence, and in 2015 he was published internationally in the Liszt Society of London journal. He holds two University medals - one for Music and one for Applied Science.
In 2023, Leigh was appointed Head of Keyboard at Camberwell Grammar School. He also holds positions on the Faculties of ANAM and the University of Melbourne.
Kim Falconer
Principal Flute Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
“Adelaide is extremely lucky to have Michael Cox visit for another wonderful flute course. I am lucky enough to have been to three of his courses, twice as an auditor and once as a performer. Michael is one of the most inspiring and generous musicians I know and always brings an enormous scope of colours and ideas to flute playing. It is amazing to see how he transforms flautists throughout his course; always providing such important technical information, but always with support, kindness and real guidance. Michael’s playing and teaching has had an enormous impact on me as a flautist and person. His pearls of wisdom, inspiration and musical ideas are always as the forefront of my music making and flute playing to this day”
Jenny Hu
2024 Course Performer
Freelance player and 2024 Cox Course Performer
The 2024 Michael Cox Flute Course was an inspiring and truly enriching experience. It was a great privilege to participate as a performer. Michael’s depth of knowledge, artistry, and thoughtful teaching left such a lasting impression. The course was both rigorous and engaging and I was consistently challenged in the best possible way. I left feeling more confident, motivated, and with a clearer sense of direction as a flutist. I would highly recommend this course to any flute player looking to take their playing to the next level!
Amanda Wong
2024 Course Performer
Freelance Player
“I felt incredibly lucky to participate as a player in this course in 2024. As a teacher, Michael is very astute and engaged fully with each individual performer. He knew exactly how to get the best out of each player. It was amazing to see firsthand the sounds and imagination that he embodies in his own playing.
I particularly enjoyed the “paintbox session” where we explored different characters and possibilities in sound, vibrato, articulation and dynamics; and also the “storytelling session” where Michael pushed the players’ imaginations in some staple flute works. Each session was well thought out, and every day was jam-packed with content. You really get every bit of your money’s worth both as a player and observer.
Not only is Michael a great teacher and flute player, but he is also a really funny and down-to-earth guy. It was a pleasure to work with him and take part in the course. At the end of it, I left feeling empowered, excite and curious. If you have any doubts about auditioning – just go for it. You won’t regret it!”
Samuel de Kroon
2024 Course Performer
Principal Flute, Australian Youth Orchestra 2025
“Last year (2024) I was fortunate enough to be chosen to participate as a performer in Michael Cox’s Flute Course in Adelaide and to go was one of the best decisions I made that year. From his style of teaching to the individual performer, to engaging his masterclasses with the audience. All of it was genuinely so intriguing and inspiring. Michael is not only a great teacher but also a very down to earth person who will curate his pedagogy to the individual’s needs in a way that is incredibly easy to understand, and I found that my improvement that week soared. It was also a great way to meet new, like-minded individuals who are as passionate about flute playing as you are. All in all, it was such an important experience that I can’t wait to participate in it again next year!”
Bridget Douglas
Section Principal Flute of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
“Over the six days of this course, Michael shared his expertise in flute performance and teaching through immersive and developmental sessions, exploring aspects of musicianship and technique in depth. These sessions were designed to inspire and benefit both advanced students and professional musicians and were ideal for my own personal professional development. I was also able to connect with other professional flutists from throughout Australasia and forge new collegial friendships. This was an incredibly uplifting and inspirational flute course that I recommend highly to both students and professionals.”
Braden Simm
2024 Course Performer
Flautist Australian National Academy of Music
“I took part in Michael Cox’s course in 2018 and the lessons I learnt still continue to stay with me. Michael’s imaginative approach and colourful ideas opened up new ways of thinking and he always encouraged me to push the boundaries and explore new sound worlds on the flute. It was such an enriching course to take part in and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking to expand their flute playing and musicianship.”
Michael Cox’s Adelaide flute course was a stand-out moment in developing my flute playing. Just having the opportunity to hear his sound in person and witness the possibilities of the flute’s dynamic range was a clear stand-out. I also appreciated Michael’s consideration of structure, texture and harmony of a piece and how it should inform how one realises the music, the first of which I find is often neglected. Michael’s approach to each individual’s development really made this course feel very holistic and tailored, with him keeping a detailed notebook on each player’s strengths and weaknesses so he could always give the most relevant advice.
Also Leigh Harrold’s accompanying is awesome and he was wonderfully prepared so each player could really bring everything that had to the table.
Cassie Slater
2018 Course Performer
Principal Flute
Mecklenburgisches Staatskapelle, Schwerin, Germany
“I took part in Michael Cox’s course in 2018 and the lessons I learnt still continue to stay with me. Michael’s imaginative approach and colourful ideas opened up new ways of thinking and he always encouraged me to push the boundaries and explore new sound worlds on the flute. It was such an enriching course to take part in and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking to expand their flute playing and musicianship.”
Accommodation ideas:
For reasonable accommodation very close to the city:
CWA (Country Womens’ Association)
30 Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town
Adelaide
Members and non-members are welcome to stay in the CWA’s historic home, located on the edge of the city.
Email: sacwa@sacwa.org.au