Tamara Gries' musical career enjoyed an auspicious start and early recognition when she won the woodwind section of the Australian Broadcasting Commission's Young Performers Competition at the State level during the final year of her secondary schooling. This in turn led to an Alliance Française Scholarship and an Australia Council Bursary for advanced private study in France and England. During 1981 and 1982 she studied with Michel Sanvoisin and Manfred Stilz in Paris and Prof. Riener Schulein in London. On her return to Western Australia Tamara formed Musica Bella, an ensemble that toured South-East Asia under the auspices of the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Today she balances her performaces as a soloist with the demands of young family and a career in University administration.