The Australian Women's Register

Penelope Mary Thwaites was born in the United Kingdom, but grew up in Australia. After attending Tintern Girls Grammar School, she completed a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in performance and teaching at the University of Melbourne, where she won the Ormond exhibition and was placed first in the final examinations.

In 1974 Penelope had her debut in London at the Wigmore Hall, launching her international career. She has played soloist with such orchestras as the London Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Philharmonia, the Rotterdam Philharmonic, City of London Sinfonia, Albany Symphony, and most of the leading Australian orchestras.

Penelope was awarded the International Percy Grainger Society Medallion in 1991 and was artistic director of the 1998 London Grainger Event at St John’s, Smith Square. She founded the Performing Australian Music Competition, and also directed the Music Oz concert series at St John’s in 2003.