About Us

Our Mission

Murray River Fine Music (MRFM) brings live performances of classical, jazz and contemporary fine music to regional audiences, with a focus on connecting with communities in north-east Victoria and the Riverina region.

MRFM is committed to curating musical experiences that are normally found in major cities and making them accessible and meaningful for local audiences, including hosting events in contemporary and locally historical spaces, providing educational opportunities for local young musicians and championing the music of Australian composers.

MRFM has hosted events in the Bonegilla Migrant Experience, Peregrines at Table Top Mountain and The Cube, Wodonga with artists including Lior, Flinders Quartet, Ensemble Liaison, Elysian Fields, pianist Benjamin Martin and Wendy Rule.

Helena Kernaghan, Artistic Director + CEO

Helena Kernaghan has established herself as one of regional Australia’s most versatile pianists and musicians.
Helena finished her Master of Music Performance at the University of Melbourne (VCA) in 2005 and became an in-demand chamber musician, accompanist, repetiteur and soloist. She is currently a member of the Orpheus Trio with violinist Kaori Sparks and cellist Sam Goble. A passionate music educator, Helena works closely with the next generation of up-and-coming talent and recently collaborated with the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association (VMTA) to launch the Geoffrey McFerran Young Regional Victorian Piano Competition in Wodonga.

Helena is the founding artistic director and CEO of Murray River Fine Music, the border region's leading chamber music organisation. Helena enjoys working with artists across various genres and performance styles. For the 2021 Upstream Festival she composed and performed a soundtrack for the children's story 'The River'. She has also composed a soundtrack for the original play 'HER' by actor/playwright Kerryn Beatty, which was launched at the Hothouse Theatre in March 2023.

Our artists in residence for 2025 is Duo Gaku 楽, with Helena Kernaghan (piano) and Kaori Sparks (violin). Helena and Kaori have been performing together for several years and officially launched Duo Gaku in 2025. Previous performances include 'Portrait of a Lady', part of the 2023 3MBS Art and Music Series, held in the historic Villa Alba Museum in Kew, Melbourne. This program featured works all written by women, including Maria-Theresia von Paradis, Amy Beach, Elena Kats-Chernin and Lera Auerbach.

In November 2025, Duo Gaku 楽 gave their inaugural recital at The Cube, Wodonga, presented by Murray River Fine Music. The program spanned a rich tapestry of classical masterpieces alongside contemporary gems, culminating in the highly anticipated world premiere of Gordon Kerry's Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano.

Gordon Kerry, Artistic Advisor

Gordon Kerry studied composition with Barry Conyngham and has held fellowships from the Australia Council, Peggy Glanville-Hicks Trust and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

Imminent and recent premieres of Gordon Kerry’s works include Whatever yon brightness be, for Kieran Crichton and the newly refurbished organ of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Wangaratta, his Missa gaudeamus omnes for the choir of St Francis of Assisi, Paddington NSW, and his Piano Sonata No.2 for Amir Farid. 2022 saw the premiere of his Six-Part Inventions for Inventi and Soliloquy for solo cello, composed for Daniel Chiou as part of The ANAM Set. In addition, members of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra toured his String Quintet No.1; Elysian Fields revisited his I dreamed I moved among the Elysian Fields; Orpheus Piano Trio performed his Piano Trio No.3; and the Marais Project released the CD Australian Monody which features his Christchurch Monody.

Gordon lives on a hill in north-eastern Victoria.

Kerryn Beatty, Producer

Kerryn has been involved with MRFM since its inception, as a producer, an events coordinator and on the committee. She is passionate about all forms of music. Kerryn is also an actor whose credits include; The Plan (and other Plans) at HotHouse Theatre 2024. As a published writer Kerryn’s work, HER, had its world premiere at HotHouse Theatre in 2023. Kerryn also dabbles in the pop/rock/folk music world as a singer songwriter and will be releasing her music in early 2025.

Claire Higgins, Operations Manager

Claire is a composer, piano teacher and arts administration professional. She has composed works for the Flinders Quartet, Zoe Knighton, Loadbang Ensemble (USA) and the Melbourne Chamber Choir, among others. Claire hails from north-east Victoria and currently lives in Melbourne.

Peter Stewart, Treasurer

Peter brings a wealth of knowledge to MRFM, having retired from a career as an accountant in public practice. Peter has always loved music and at a young age developed advanced skills as a violinist. In his retirement Peter enjoys playing the clarinet and ukulele and is an active member of the Albury City Band and the Albury Wodonga Uke Muster.Peter skilfully tends to the book-keeping and financial matters of MRFM.