About
I am a professional double bassist and educator with postgraduate qualifications in both performance and education, and over 15 years’ experience. My work spans professional orchestras, studio recording, festivals and weddings, across classical and contemporary settings, alongside extensive teaching in both school and private contexts.
But finding the right teacher is about more than credentials.* It’s about working with someone who understands how you learn and what you want from music.
People come with different goals. I welcome both serious study and those wanting a musical experience. It’s most rewarding when expectations align with individual goals.
There’s no shortage of excellent books, online courses and YouTube videos. Information has never been more accessible. But knowing what to practise and actually making consistent progress are different things. Lessons provide structure, feedback and accountability, helping you apply ideas effectively and adapt them to your own playing.
I help people develop the technique to play what they want, the listening skills to understand what they hear and the independence to guide their own learning.
My teaching focuses on clear, practical foundations, efficient movement and strong listening.
It’s a shared process. I bring structure, guidance and experience, and you bring your goals and engagement.
Teaching Method (BASE)
My teaching is built around four core principles: Body, Aural, Security and Expression (BASE). And for the first time ever, pun not intended! I did try to come up with another acronym, but BASE fit the four principles behind my teaching best.
Body is about how you use your body to play the instrument. The bass is physically demanding, so we focus on set-up and efficient movement.
Aural is about listening first. We focus on tone production and really hearing your sound.
Security is about being reliable. In tune, in time and consistent.
Expression is about making the music say something, not only when playing the melody, but also in the fundamental role of a bass line.
In practice, we move through these in order: organise the set-up and movement, listen and refine the sound, lock in pitch and rhythm, then bring the music to life.
This approach builds strong foundations and helps you become a more independent musician.
*Credentials
A graduate of the University of Queensland (Master of Philosophy in Music; Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours), Queensland University of Technology (Graduate Diploma in Education with Distinction) and the University of Tasmania (Graduate Certificate in Music Studies), Chloe Ann Williamson maintains an eclectic and successful career, as a freelance double bassist. During her undergraduate studies, Chloe undertook a double major in music performance and musicology, specifically nineteenth century solo double bass performance practice. She was the recipient of many scholarships and awards including an Australian Postgraduate Award (for students of exceptional research potential), to undertake her master’s degree. A diverse musician, Chloe has performed both nationally and internationally with Australian orchestras including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Well-versed in musical theatre, she has also performed as Principal Double Bass for the Brisbane seasons of Dr Zhivago (2011) and The Sound of Music (2016) and was the Deputy Bassist for several shows during the Brisbane seasons of Les Miserables (2015), the Wizard of Oz (2017), West Side Story (2021) and SIX the Musical (2025). A keen chamber musician, Chloe manages and performs in Brisbane-based string quartet, Four Strings performing regularly at weddings as well as corporate and private functions. She has also performed as a guest with acclaimed chamber music ensembles the Black Square Quartet, Collusion and Southern Cross Soloists as well as at several chamber and folk music festivals. Chloe was a co-recipient of the 2015 and 2016 Queensland Music Award (World) for the songs ‘Enfants du Chemin’ and ‘Nightwatch’ which she co-wrote as a former member of the band, MZAZA. The leading proponent of tango double bass in Australia, Chloe has a host of accolades and a strong dedication to Argentine tango as an art form. In 2016, she was awarded a Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artist Fellowship and PPCA Grant to enable her to attend Tango for Musicians at Reed College in Portland (OR), USA, as well as undertake further study and research of tango music in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has studied with the best in the world of tango double bass – Ignacio Varchausky (author of The Bass In Tango), Juan Pablo Navarro and Pablo Aslan. As well as directing and playing in Tango Enigmático and the Brisbane Tango Orchestra, Chloe was the double bassist for the “Sos lo más” digital project by Solidaridad Tango – a Toronto-based, all-woman, diversity-affirming tango orchestra. In addition to her performing schedule, Chloe works part-time for Education Queensland as a Specialist Primary Music Teacher and Instrumental Music Teacher.