Trombonist Archer Bryett & Pianist Lucas Cai
This week on The Talent, season mentor Kevin Tamanini is joined by guest mentor Brett Kelly as we hear performances from trombonist Archer Bryett and pianist Lucas Cai. Hosted by Kyla Matsuura-Miller, the episode features interviews with both performers, along with feedback and insights from our two mentors. Read on to discover more about Archer, Lucas and guest mentor Brett Kelly!
Archer Bryett
Trombone
Originally from Darwin, Archer is an emerging Melbourne-based tenor trombonist. Currently completing his studies under Prof. Don Immel at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Archer has recently appeared with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Wind Symphony, Australian Youth Orchestra, and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. In 2025, Archer was a finalist in the university's Solo Artist Competition and will appear as a soloist with the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Concert Band in October. Archer is also a strong advocate for new and contemporary works for trombone, having premiered Max Kielly's "Afterlife for Solo Trombone" in 2024.
You can find Archer on archerbryett_music & archer.bryett
Archer performs:
- Grøndahl—Concerto for Trombone & Piano
Lucas Cai
Piano
Lucas Cai is a 13-year-old pianist studying with Prof. Glenn Riddle. He achieved LMusA with Distinction at age 12 and is a Music Scholar at Camberwell Grammar School. He has performed and won top prizes internationally in Germany, Austria, Vietnam, local eisteddfods and MSV. In June, Lucas made his concerto debut at Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (1st Movement). He is also a dedicated cellist and chamber musician.
Lucas performs:
- Vine—Piano Sonata No.1 (Mvt. I)
-
Granados—El Pelele (The Straw Man)
Brett Kelly
Guest Mentor
Brett Kelly is a highly respected conductor, trombonist and educator, with a career spanning orchestral, opera, contemporary and film music. He was Principal Trombonist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra from 1981 to 2019 and has conducted orchestras including the MSO, Sydney Symphony, Queensland Symphony and Auckland Philharmonia.
Brett has conducted more than 100 international film scores, including Red Dog, Babe 2, The Dressmaker, Happy Feet 2 and Baz Luhrmann’s Australia. He has also conducted more than 200 premieres of new Australian works and recorded for ABC Classics, NAXOS and Tall Poppies.
Since 2018, Brett has been Music Director of Melbourne Youth Orchestras, where he leads and mentors the next generation of orchestral musicians.