The Marais Project was founded by Jenny Eriksson, a master of a rarely heard instrument called the viola da gamba.

Despite playing a non-mainstream instrument, Eriksson was recently named as “one of our top 20 classical musicians” by former Sydney Morning Herald chief music critic Fred Blanks.

The viola da gamba is about the same size as a cello, but has seven strings, frets like a guitar and is played with a bow.

“It is kind of like the platypus of the string family,” Eriksson said, “but it has a beautiful, plaintive sound just like the human voice.

“I did not hear the instrument until my early 20s and I fell in love with it.

“I sold everything and went to study the viola da gamba in Holland”.

Since returning to Australia Eriksson has performed with elite organisations such as Opera Australia and the Australian Chamber Orchestra as well as forming her own ensembles.

She has also released two CDs of rare French music written for her instrument. Her most recent CD, Love Reconciled, was selected as CD of the week by radio stations around Australia including the ABC.

Eriksson specialises in making her concerts relaxed and fun for audiences, a talent she’s perfected through years of touring NSW?with the Musica Viva in Schools Program giving up to three concerts a day in infants and primary schools.

“Children don’t hide their emotions; you know immediately whether they like you and your music,” Eriksson said.

“They need to be engaged.

“For some reason many classical musicians think adults are happy to sit there for 45 minutes and listen without a word being spoken by the musicians.

“I chat away between pieces and get the audience involved and even laughing.”

Eriksson is a frequent and appreciative visitor to the Southern Highlands, having married into the Pogson family from Moss Vale. She met her husband Philip when they were studying at the Conservatorium.