Zoë Knighton is a renowned cellist and chamber musician from Australia. She was born in Melbourne in 1975 and grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a classical pianist. Knighton started playing the cello at the age of nine and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Knighton studied at the Victorian College of the Arts and the Australian National Academy of Music, where she received her Bachelor of Music and Graduate Diploma of Music, respectively. She also studied with renowned cellists such as David Geringas, Steven Isserlis, and Anner Bylsma. In 1995, Knighton co-founded the Flinders Quartet, a Melbourne-based string quartet that has become one of Australia's most respected chamber ensembles. The quartet has performed extensively throughout Australia and internationally, including at the Wigmore Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the National Concert Hall in Taipei. Knighton has also performed as a soloist with many of Australia's leading orchestras, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She has collaborated with many of Australia's leading musicians, including pianist Ian Munro, violinist Niki Vasilakis, and guitarist Slava Grigoryan. In addition to her performing career, Knighton is also a passionate educator. She has taught at the University of Melbourne and the Australian National Academy of Music and has given masterclasses throughout Australia and internationally. Knighton has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 2000, she was awarded the prestigious Australian Music Centre's Peggy Glanville-Hicks residency, which allowed her to spend six months in New York City studying and performing. In 2003, she was awarded the Melbourne Prize for Music, which recognizes outstanding musicians who have made a significant contribution to the cultural life of Melbourne. Knighton's recordings have also received critical acclaim. Her recording of the complete Beethoven cello sonatas with pianist Amir Farid was described by Limelight Magazine as "a benchmark recording." Her recording of the complete string quartets of Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe with the Flinders Quartet was awarded the 2011 ARIA Award for Best Classical Album. Knighton continues to perform and record extensively, both as a soloist and as a member of the Flinders Quartet. She is also committed to promoting Australian music and has commissioned and premiered many new works by Australian composers. In conclusion, Zoë Knighton is a highly respected cellist and chamber musician who has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of Australia. Her performances and recordings have received critical acclaim, and she is also a passionate educator who has inspired many young musicians. Knighton's dedication to promoting Australian music and collaborating with other musicians has made her a valuable asset to the Australian music scene.

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