What We Play
Baroque & Classical
Romantic & Beyond
Film, Pop & Rock
We perform timeless masterworks by Handel, Bach, Mozart, and Haydn, bringing the elegance and structural beauty of these eras to life.
Our ensemble explores the emotional depth of the Romantic period, alongside contemporary compositions that push the boundaries of string performance.
From cinematic scores to spirited rock and pop arrangements, we believe high-quality music transcends genre, offering something for every listener.
Our Conductor
About Paul
Paul Taylor began playing cello in 1992 and went on to study at the Victorian College of the Arts, completing his undergraduate degree with honours in 2001 under Nelson Cooke (a former student of Pablo Casals and principal of the London Symphony Orchestra).
In 2002 he moved to Europe, studying with Walter Despalj at the Zagreb Academy of Music and later with Howard Penny in Vienna, former principal cellist of the Vienna Symphony and principal of the European Chamber Orchestra. During this time Paul attended masterclasses and summer schools such as “Strings Only!” (Croatia) and “Cellisimo!” (Austria), working with leading teachers including Dimitry Fershtman, Rudolf Leopold, Viola de Hoog and Alexander Baillie.
Returning to Australia in 2004, Paul held a full scholarship at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne, studying with Mats Lidstrom, David Berlin, Suren Bagratuni and Alexander Baillie. He later completed a Master of Music in Adelaide with Janis Laurs, and continued his studies in Hobart with Christian Wojtowicz, graduating in 2010 before settling in Sydney with his partner, violinist Anthea Hetherington.
Performer & Teacher
Paul has worked as a freelance cellist for over 20 years, performing with many of Australia’s symphony orchestras and recording for Sony Music, Pixar and artists such as John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite, Gang of Youths and Paul Kelly.
As a teacher, Paul has taught at schools and institutions across Melbourne and Tasmania, including Mentone Girls’ Grammar, Carey Baptist Grammar and the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music. He has directed and conducted chamber groups and string orchestras for more than two decades, and has tutored many tertiary and secondary ensembles. He was musical director for AIM’s productions of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, and has founded and led string programs at numerous schools.
Paul is currently Head of Strings at The King’s School, Sydney, and conductor of Innominato Strings.
Our Associate Conductor
Isaiah Bondfield
Isaiah joined us in 2022 initially as a guest conductor and has now become our permanent secondary conductor alongside Paul.
Isaiah is a passionate violinist and has been taught by Tor Fromhyr, Madeleine Easton and Goetz Richter. He has previously been concertmaster of the Canberra Youth Orchestra, principal second violin of the West Sydney Youth Orchestra and has played in orchestras such as the Australian Youth Orchestra, Melbourne Youth Orchestra and Bach Akademie Australia.
Our History
Founding and Early Years
Our story began two decades ago at a Fiddle Festival in Richmond. In 2005, a handful of passionate players, Mike, Alex, Mylene, and Bev, decided to turn their chance meeting into a monthly musical gathering. What started as casual sessions in a Petersham lounge room—complete with an appreciative feline audience—quickly expanded. As more players joined through word of mouth and notice board ads, we outgrew living rooms and moved to larger spaces. Ultimately, we chose the name 'Innominato Strings', an Italian nod to our 'no name' beginnings that perfectly captured our spirit.
Practice at Aneva’s house Cremorne, 27 December 2005
Back row: Aneva, Alex (behind) Mylene, Rob
Front row: Mike, Bev and Suzie
Growing the Ensemble
The First Concert, June 2007
In 2006, our growth accelerated as we moved rehearsals to Chatswood and welcomed our first conductor, Vincent Allan. Seeking to improve, we increased our practices and refined our sound. By 2014, we were fortunate to welcome Anthea Hetherington, whose patience and kindness significantly elevated our technical skills. In 2017, she passed the baton to her husband, Paul Taylor. A professional cellist and educator, Paul’s unique blend of expert knowledge and humor helped transition us into a proper, structured orchestra while keeping the joy of music at the forefront of every rehearsal.
Recent Seasons
The 2020 global health crisis presented a significant obstacle as our ensemble was forced into silence. However, we remained unified by embracing digital tools like Zoom and Jamulus to sustain our artistic bond. Post-lockdown, after a brief period without a permanent venue, we established a fantastic new residency through the support of Hunters Hill Council. Currently, our group has flourished to include more than eighty musicians and features a refreshed online identity. With the guidance of Paul Taylor and Isaiah Bondfield, we remain a thriving sanctuary for string enthusiasts throughout the region.
More recent performances