Nicolette Fraillon, Guest Conductor, began her music studies on violin and piano at an early age, furthering her instrumental studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna and in Hannover. In 1990 Nicolette moved to the Netherlands, where she became Assistant Musical Director for the 1991-92 season of Les Misérables, was invited to conduct for the Nederlands Dans Theater, and became Music Director and Chief Conductor of the National Ballet of the Netherlands. During the following five years she worked with countless orchestras in Northern Europe before taking up the position of Director at the School of Music, Australian National University, and continuing her conducting work with Australian and international companies. She debuted with The Australian Ballet in 2002, and in 2003 was invited by David McAllister to become Music Director and Chief Conductor. Since joining the Company, she has conducted all programmes for The Australian Ballet, including all its overseas tours, and has been a guest conductor for San Francisco Ballet and New York City Ballet.