The Wagga music community has suffered a great loss.
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The Riverina Conservatorium of Music’s staff, students and community have been saddened by the sudden death of teacher and head of strings Tamaris Pfeiffer on Monday.
Tamaris arrived in Wagga with her husband Hamish Tait in 2003 when they were both taking up positions at the RCM.
Originally from Toowoomba, Tamaris came with a Masters of Music in violin and viola from the University of Southern Queensland and was a member of the Queensland Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras.
Dr Phillip Gearing knew Tamaris since she was a student at Toowoomba and taught her at the University of Southern Queensland.
“Although always musical, when Tamaris moved from the violin to study the viola it was pivotal in her development as a musician, both in solo work and in chamber music, and was recognised in her acceptance as a player with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra while still only a student at University,” he said.
“Tamaris was loved and respected by all. Her vivacious and sunny personality let people feel at ease, and many remember her ready laugh and smile with fondness.”
On arrival in Wagga Tamaris quickly established a thriving violin and viola studio and immersed herself in musical activities.
She led the RCM-based student ensemble Murrumbidgee String Orchestra and played in countless RCM concert series performances - often with Hamish at the piano.
She joined the committee of the Riverina Summer School for Strings, becoming vice-president as well as a teacher and performer at the school in January every year.
She was instrumental in the establishment and development of the Wagga Christian College Year Three Violin Program, the RCM Little Fiddlers for preschoolers and the Riverina Youth Orchestra.
Tamaris cut back on her teaching in 2007 in order to start a family but still managed to produce many RCM major scholarship winners, including in 2013 the winner of the top RCM award, the Dr Ray King Scholarship.
Now in 2018, with three children all started school, she was again putting her enormous energy into sharing her technical insight and musical inspiration with her many students, leading them on to become the best players they could be.
She approached all her students as special and each with the potential to succeed.
“Her warmth and friendliness will be dearly missed by not only her family and friends but by hundreds of students and concert goers that have had their lives enriched by being involved in music with her,” former RCM Associate Director and longtime friend Jeff Donovan said.
Tamaris is survived by her husband Hamish and their children Tristan, Angus and Greta.
Please note:
The family are asked that memorial contributions be made to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music’s Bursary Program in lieu of flowers.
This program provides financial assistance towards the musical education of students from families in need.
If you would like to donate in honour of Tamaris, then please click here.