Stirling, a Brisbane cellist, is the youngest of four musical siblings, joining them as a recent graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, guided by distinguished teachers including Hyung Suk Bae, György Déri, and Matthew Kinmont.
Stirling was a finalist in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Prize (2022). He has held principal cello positions with the Queensland Youth Symphony (2023-24), the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp (2025), and various conservatorium ensembles. In 2025, he was a Young Artist with Southern Cross Soloists and a member of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Academy, while appearing in performances with Ensemble Q.
As a soloist, Stirling has appeared with the Queensland Youth Orchestra and the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra performing Elgar's Cello Concerto, and with the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra performing Schumann's Cello Concerto.
Stirling is drawn to the Romantic repertoire for its emotional intensity and lyricism, finding particular inspiration in the playing of Daniil Shafran. Still exploring the breadth of his musical identity, he enjoys the full spectrum of performance solo, chamber and orchestral works and values the unique artistic challenges each area offers. His artistic development has also been shaped by masterclasses with international artists such as François Thirault, Umberto Clerci, and Peter Bruns.
Outside of music, Stirling enjoys reading with a love for the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and he enjoys spending time walking in nature.
Stirling looks forward to commencing at ANAM in 2026, under the tutelage of Howard Penny.
FROM: QLD. Lands of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples.
Stirling is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Dorothy and Hans Carlborg, M. Elizabeth Douglas, Traudl Moon OAM, Jacob and Elizabeth Okno.
Photo by Pia Johnson