Catherine Upex
Catherine Upex is an Australian cellist and viola da gamba player. Trained in Sydney, she is a long-standing member of The Marais Project and plays viol with Josie and the Emeralds.
Catherine completed her Bachelor of Music (Honours) at Sydney University in 1997. She has also made several chamber music recordings for 2MBS FM and ABC FM. During this period she studied viola da gamba with Jennifer Eriksson, and has performed on the instrument with ensembles including The Renaissance Players, the Conservatorium Baroque Orchestra, Salut! Baroque, The Sydney Consort, Lautetia, La Folia, the Opera Project and Zarabanda.
Along with lutenist Tommie Andersson, she has been a member of The Marais Project from its founding in 2000 and has performed in virtually every concert. She regularly appears with Jennifer Eriksson as a duo and has toured interstate with her on several occasions.
Performing as Josie and the Emeralds
Josie and the Emeralds is a Sydney early-music ensemble founded in 2011, uniting soprano with viol consort in Renaissance song and new Australian writing for the viol.
The Emerald Leopard
Josie and the Emeralds pair acclaimed early-music soprano Josie Ryan with some of Australia’s finest viol players, the Emerald City Viols. Founded in 2011, the group is known for sophisticated performances and inventive programmes of Renaissance and contemporary works, including compositions and arrangements by director Brooke Green.
Catherine Upex is a member of
The Marais Project
The Marais Project is a celebration of music for the viola da gamba inspired by Marin Marais, the great French virtuoso viola da gamba performer and composer. Formed by Jennifer Eriksson in 2000, the ensemble’s original aim was to perform the complete viola da gamba works of Marais – a monumental task which is more than 85% complete.