‘Dream come true’: Meet the AYO 2026 flagship orchestra
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This month, 80 of Australia’s finest orchestral musicians will bring their dynamic energy to Melbourne, as the AYO’s 2026 flagship orchestra takes to the stage for its Fire & Fantasy concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
The Australian Youth Orchestra is the country’s internationally renowned flagship youth orchestra, celebrated for its exceptional young musicians drawn from across Australia. This year’s ensemble of 80 musicians spans the nation — from Perth to Penrith, and from Toowoomba to Tasmania — and ranges in age from 14 to 25, with nearly a quarter of this season’s participants attending high school. Selected through a highly competitive annual audition process, these talented musicians come together twice each year for inspirational concert seasons, collaborating with world‑leading conductors, soloists and composers.
Meet the Orchestra
Click on the orchestra sections in our interactive orchestra map below to find out more about the 2026 Australian Youth Orchestra artists.
Lily is an 18-year-old violinist studying with Michele Walsh at Queensland Conservatorium. She was awarded her AmusA (2020) and LMusA (2022) with Distinction, performing at both AMEB ceremonies. Lily was a finalist for QSO’s Young Instrumentalist Prize. She currently serves as the concertmaster of Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS) and is the Richard Pollett scholarship recipient. Lily has been an active participant of AYO since 2022 and was concertmaster of Young Symphonists in 2023. In 2024, she won the Most Promising Prize for the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition. At the age of 16, she got into the Queensland Conservatorium and commenced her Bachelor of Music on early entry. During her first year at Con, she won the Matilda Jane Aplin Prize for strings. She wishes to travel the world with her violin and passion in the future. In her free time, she loves to bake, spend time with her friends, and go to the beach.
Siobhan Makinson is a violinist studying at the University of Western Australia, majoring in performance, under the tutelage of WASO Associate Concertmaster Riley Skevington. She has previously studied under Alexandre Da Costa, Martine Cardinal, and Sunmi Jung. In addition to her music studies, Siobhan is a third-year student at Curtin University, studying a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing and Event Management.
Siobhan has been awarded the Delano Music Scholarship at UWA and holds music diplomas in violin performance. Her musical achievements include winning top prizes in various competitions, such as the North of Perth Music Festival and the Fremantle Eisteddfod. Recently, her string quartet was awarded the 2024 Flora Bunnings Prize for Chamber Music at UWA.
An avid chamber and orchestral player, Siobhan is active in the Perth music scene, having performed and collaborated with the UWA Symphony Orchestra, UWA Chamber Orchestra, Cygnus Arioso, West Australian Opera, Perth Symphonic Chorus, St. Georges’ Chamber Orchestra and more.
Lydia Hwang is a violinist and dedicated musical collaborator currently in her third year of study at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, where she studies under the tutelage of Michele Walsh. She has been actively involved in orchestral performance through ensembles such as the Queensland Youth Symphony and Australian Youth Orchestra programs, fostering a strong passion for orchestral playing.
Lydia has gained further professional experience performing with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as part of its Oceans project, as well as through collaborations with Ensemble Q and Opera Queensland. In 2025, she performed as a soloist with the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra as part of the Conservatorium’s Concertos Festival, reflecting her interest in diverse performance opportunities.
An engaged chamber musician, Lydia has explored a wide range of collaborative settings throughout her studies, including a side-by-side program with members of the London Symphony Orchestra Wind Quintet and more recently alongside the Australian String Quartet. Alongside her work with Camerata, she continues to develop her solo, chamber, and orchestral repertoire, with the aim of sharing music with audiences across various cultures and communities.
When not rehearsing or performing, Lydia enjoys recharging with a matcha — a small but essential ritual.
Eric Kim started playing the violin at the age of five. Ever since, he has competed in numerous eisteddfods for both solo and ensemble. He is currently learning with Natsuko Yoshimoto. He attended the Anglican Church Grammar School with a full music scholarship, where he was music captain. He has previously played in the Queensland Youth Symphony, and previously played in a string quartet, quintet and sextet in the UQ chamber music program.
Eric has been part of the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp 2023 and 2024, as well as the 2024 autumn and winter season. Eric won the 2024 Young Instrumentalist prize, which has given him the opportunity to debut with QSO in the 2025 season. Previously, in ‘The IncrediBows’ string quartet, his quartet won the Strike A Chord national chamber music competition, giving them other opportunities such as playing for the Tyalgum music festival and airing live on ABC radio and 4MBS.
Lara Dowdeswell began learning the violin at age five with Sheau-Fang Low using the Suzuki Method and currently studies under Janet Davies, previously at the Sydney Conservatorium’s Rising Stars Program. Lara has had numerous successes in competitions across the country, winning the Barbara Cran Award at the KPO Concerto Competition in 2021 and being a finalist in the senior section in 2024, as well as a finalist in the John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition in 2022 and 2023. Lara was also a 2023 finalist in the Bach Competition held in Melbourne. Lara has been an avid participant in AYO programs since 2022, attending the National Music Camps for the last 3 years and, most recently, the winter season in Melbourne last July. Lara is starting the first year of her music degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2025.
Xavier Richardson is a versatile violinist, currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Music Performance and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Statistics) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, under the mentorship of Timothy Kantor and Goetz Richter.
In 2024, he won the first prize in the under-nineteen age category of the Fine Master Violins Competition, winning a violin by Australian luthier Paul Ridden.
Originally from Melbourne, Xavier is a frequent performer with the Melbourne String Ensemble and has performed as a soloist in 2022 and as concertmaster and principal viola during the ensemble’s 2024 tour of Germany and Czechia.
For the first two years at the Sydney Con, Xavier has been a joint-recipient of the George Henderson Travelling Scholarship for string quartet. This has allowed him to play in the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival in Finland in 2024 and the Echo Arts Festival under a residency with the Schumann Quartett in Munich in 2025.
He has had masterclasses with Akiko Suwanai, Marlene Ito, and Takacs Quartet, to name a few. Other orchestral experiences include performing in a production with Victorian Opera.
Caitlynn Cheng is a young violinist recognised for her musical sensitivity, technical assurance, and thoughtful, expressive approach to performance. She made her solo debut performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra as a Young Artist in 2025.
Caitlynn’s musical development began at an early age of two when she was first exposed to the world of classical music. She then began formal violin studies at the age of four after her admission to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts School of Young Talents Programme, where she studied under violinist, Xu Jue Yi. In 2024, she began her studies in Perth where she now studies the violin with Riley Skevington.
At twelve, Caitlynn was accepted into the Australian Youth Orchestra’s Young Symphonists Programme, participating in the September 2023 season. This enriching experience provided her with valuable orchestral training and the opportunity extend her musical depth and collaborate with like-minded young musicians from across Australia.
She has participated in masterclasses and mentorships with distinguished musicians including Lucilla Rose, Nicola Benedetti, and Yin Ke. In 2022, Caitlynn was a quarter-finalist in the Singapore National Piano and Violin Competition (Junior Category).
Beyond music, Caitlynn enjoys debating, travelling to new countries, surfing, hanging out with friends, and competing in tennis. She draws artistic inspiration from violinists like Hilary Hahn and Augustin Hadelich, as she loves performing and sharing her music to bring joy.
Caitlynn is thrilled to be selected for the 2026 Summer and Winter seasons of Australian Youth Orchestra due to its high-level ensemble music-making, the opportunity to meet like-minded friends from all around Australia and visit Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Naamah began playing the violin at the age of three, progressing through the AMEB to achieve Grade 7 with High Distinction. She went on to hold multiple leadership positions within the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, including Concertmaster and Principal Second Violin.
Her orchestral experience continued to grow beyond Melbourne. In 2022, she toured nationally with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic and Andrea Bocelli, and the following year she had the opportunity to work under the baton of world-renowned conductor Sir Simon Rattle. She has also been involved in multiple Australian Youth Orchestra programs, enriching her already extensive orchestral background.
Alongside her performance work, Naamah is in her 3rd year of a Bachelor of Music at the University of New England, where she is refining her craft under Markiyan Melnychenko. Her String Quartet ‘Karelia Quartet’ is a young and up and coming chamber group, regularly performing concerts around Australia having received masterclasses and tutorials from members of the ASQ and Affinity Quartet.
In addition to her studies and ensemble work, Naamah enjoys casual teaching, sharing her passion for the violin with younger students. Outside of music, she proudly supports her favourite sports teams, Collingwood and Manchester United.
Honami Yum is a 19-year-old violinist from Melbourne who began learning violin at the age of five with Lois Shepheard through the Suzuki method. She recently graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), where she studied with Monica Naselow, and will commence a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2026.
Honami has participated in the Melbourne Youth Orchestras program, including MYO’s side-by-side collaboration with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the Melbourne String Ensemble, touring Germany and the Czech Republic in 2024, performing in major cities, and receiving masterclasses from Carolin Widmann and Anke Dill in Europe, as well as Dale Barltrop in Melbourne.
During her time at VCASS, Honami was a member of the string sextet chamber group Sturt Street Six, which won first place in both the Music Society of Victoria Chamber Competition and the VCASS Chamber Competition.
In her spare time, Honami enjoys drawing, listening to music, and cooking. She has participated in AYO programs since 2024 and is excited to be part of the 2026 Summer Season and future AYO programs to come.
Holly began playing violin at the age of seven and is in her second year of study at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) under the tutelage of Sophie Rowell. Her previous mentors include Monica Naselow and Lisa Reynolds.
Her childhood was spent in Melbourne studying at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where she was awarded her LMusA and AMusA with distinction. In 2025, at MCM, Holly was a recipient of the Corinna D’Hage String Scholarship.
Holly has been a member of Melbourne Youth Orchestras since 2016. During this time Holly has shared the position of concertmaster and principal second violin of the Flagship orchestra.
As a passionate orchestral player Holly has been an Australia Youth Orchestra participant since 2022. At MCM, Holly is a member of the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and String Ensemble, where she has received mentoring from the Australian World Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Holly also shares a love of chamber music, participating in the 2025 Mirmir Chamber Music Festival as a member of the Polka Quartet
John Kelly is a second-year violin student at the University of Queensland’s School of Music, studying under Doretta Balkizas. He holds both the AMusA and LMusA with Distinction. In 2025, he was the recipient of the Howard and Gladys Sleath Scholarship, the Sleath String Performance Prize and the Dean’s Commendation for Academic Excellence (semesters one and two). In the same year, John was an Emerging Artist with the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, joining the orchestra to perform Mendelssohn’s version of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in the Sydney Opera House. Since 2022, John has been invited to perform with Ensemble Q each year, including in the Australian tour of internationally acclaimed countertenor Andreas Scholl in 2024. He is excited to participate in his first AYO program this year.
Alongside his violin pursuits, John is an avid pipe organist. He studied piano, achieving an AMusA with Distinction, before transitioning to the organ in 2024. Learning under Dr Phillip Gearing, John was the recipient of the Organ Society of Queensland Scholarship in both 2024 and 2025.
In his spare time, John enjoys reading about Australian history and constitutional law.
Aurelia is an 18-year-old violinist from Sydney’s inner-west, on Wangal country. She began learning violin at the age five with Laura McCrow before continuing her studies with Caron Chan. She currently studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Janet Davies. Aurelia was a recipient of the Goodlet Legacy Music Scholarship at PLC Sydney and was awarded the AMusA with distinction in 2023. She has been part of the AYO community since 2024.
In her free time Aurelia enjoys exploring other musical genres, playing drumkit in an indie-rock band and collaborating with contemporary musicians on both instruments. She is excited to be part of the AYO flagship orchestra this season and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to spend time doing what she is most passionate about: making music and connecting with others through performance.
Yo Yo’s first joys of performing for a live audience came from busking as a child on the city streets of Little Bourke, sparking the seeds for her growing passion towards music!
Yo Yo was admitted to study at The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Entrance Grant, and is currently learning under the guidance of Associate Professor Sophie Rowell. She is a recipient of the Kate Flowers Memorial scholarship (2025), Alfred Artingstall Prize (2025) and was awarded the Corinna D’Hage Mayer String Scholarship and the Brunner Music Prize for Improvement in 2024. She is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), where she studied with esteemed teachers including Monica Naselow and Christine Johnson.
A highlight of 2025 was when she performed with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra in their 2026 New Year’s concert under maestro Zhang. She’s also had the opportunity to perform with the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra in Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), for their 2025 New Year’s gala concert.
Yo Yo has also learned a lot from working with musicians of the ACO as concertmaster of the Melbourne University String Ensemble, as well as the ASQ and various international artists from the Mimir Chamber Music Festival. These opportunities have truly cemented her passion for ensemble collaboration and performance!
Morgan Ip is a Brisbane based violinist with a passion for music, currently studying his final year of Bachelor of Computer Science/Arts at the University of Queensland. He was previously mentored by Elizabeth Morgan AM and Adam Chalabi, and now studies violin with Brendan Joyce in pursuit of furthering his musical knowledge.
He was a member of the QYO programs from 2018-2024 and played first violin with QYS from 2020 to 2024, during which he toured Singapore and Europe with QYS in late 2023. His achievements include getting the AmusA for Violin in 2019, and Mansfield State High School’s Musician of the Year 2022. In 2022 he performed as a guest soloist with the Brisbane City Pops Orchestra.
Morgan participated in AYO’s National Music Camps since 2023, and more recently in 2025 AYO’s International Tour and Chamber Players. He looks forward to participating in AYO’s 2026 programs, of which include performing in Darwin in July for the first time.
Khang is an 18-year-old violinist currently in his second year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he currently studies with Goetz Richter following ten years of training with Leigh Middenway.
He began learning the violin at the age of eight, and after his first youth orchestra experience in 2018, he immediately knew he wanted to pursue a life in music.
Since then, Khang has enjoyed a number of orchestral highlights, including leading the Arts Unit Symphony Orchestra from 2023–2024, serving as Concertmaster of the Sydney Youth Orchestra in 2025, and performing major symphonic works by Prokofiev and Mahler during the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2024 seasons. He was recently appointed Principal Second Violin at the AYO National Music Camp and will return to the AYO flagship orchestra for the 2026 seasons.
Khang is also passionate about chamber music. In 2024, he won the “Strike A Chord” Monash Chamber Music Award with the Comet Quartet, which enabled the group to undertake a weeklong residency in Melbourne.
Outside of music, Khang enjoys long walks on the beach and late-night drives around the city with friends.
Violinist Samuel Hooper is 16 years old and 2026 is his third year with AYO. Samuel was taught by Dan Evans for 10 years and now studies with Emma McGrath. In 2025, Samuel was Associate Concertmaster of AYO’s Young Symphonists and he participated in AYO’s Cultural Leadership Program.
Samuel was awarded first place in the 2025 Melbourne Recital Centre Baroque Competition and also won the 2024 Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Rising Star Award. Earlier in 2022, Samuel received the Sydney Eisteddfod Most Promising Young String Player Award.
In 2025, Samuel performed in recitals around Tasmania, presented by Virtuosi Tasmania. Whilst touring with Virtuosi Tasmania, Samuel was able to bring even more music to the regions in a number of chamber performances together with players from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
In 2024, Samuel performed as a soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as the Rising Star. Other cherished highlights include performing at the acclaimed Melbourne Recital Centre and participating in Sydney Eisteddfod’s 90th Anniversary Alumni Orchestra.
Samuel also plays clarinet in his school band, leads the string ensemble and plays violin for musical productions. Samuel is pursuing a career as a violinist and is looking forward to future tertiary studies. He is grateful for the support of a number of Tasmanian musicians and others.
Kaito Deed began studying the violin at age 4 in Japan, later learning under Karina Hollands on the Central Coast. He is currently studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Ole Bohn, being a recipient of the Ted and Susan Meller Memorial Scholarship.
As a soloist, he has had the opportunity to perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Central Coast Symphony after winning the Central Coast Concerto Competition. He has benefitted from several scholarships over the years from the Central Coast Conservatorium and other local arts organisations.
Kaito is an active chamber musician, being a finalist in Musica Viva’s “Strike a Chord” competition and enjoying his time with his quartet at Sydney Conservatorium. Kaito has also been a longtime Central Coast Youth Orchestra member, as well as being concertmaster of the NSW Regional Youth Orchestra from 2022-2025, touring Europe in 2025.
Naomi Nogawa-Lewy is a 16 year old violinist from Sydney. She has been playing violin since the age of seven, and currently studies under Janet Davies at the Conservatorium of Sydney’s Rising Stars program.
Naomi has participated in AYO programs since she was 13. She has also been a member of the flagship Sydney Youth Orchestra, and is the current concertmaster of the Arts Unit symphony orchestra. Furthermore, Naomi has additionally participated in the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy programs of 2024 and 2025. Outside of music, she enjoys reading, playing chess, teaching, and watching movies with friends.
Jimin Yang is a violinist currently in her third year pursuing a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she studies under the tutelage of Professor Goetz Richter. She began playing violin at the age of eight under the guidance of Leigh Middenway and Luke Wallace. Since then, Jimin has performed in some of Australia’s most prestigious venues, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Town Hall, appearing as a soloist playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in D minor and Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G Major. Her passion for chamber music also led to her quartet to be selected to perform Janáček’s String Quartet No. 1 at the Sydney Opera House.
Jimin has been selected to participate in the Australian Youth Orchestra programs since 2023, during which she attended her first National Music Camp. Jimin continues to play as both chamber and orchestral musician in a variety of public and private performances. As a dedicated ensemble player, Jimin was appointed concertmaster for many youth orchestras including the NSW Public Schools Symphony Orchestra in 2023. She has also performed as an ensemble musician with violinist Anthony Marwood MBE, as well as alongside renowned Australian artists Lior, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Casey Donovan, and Greek singer Dimitris Basis.
Ellie Kyoung (16) is a Year 11 student at Brisbane State High School who began playing the violin at age nine. She received an Award with Distinction for her Licentiate exam at 13 years old and was a finalist in the QSO Young Instrumentalist Prize in 2024 and 2025, most recently winning 2nd prize and in 2025, she also won first place at the Brisbane Youth International Music Festival. Ellie attended the Heifetz Institute Summer Camp in 2024 and has been a member of the Queensland Youth Symphony from 2023 to 2026, touring with them internationally in 2023 and holding the associate concertmaster position in 2025 and 2026. Additionally, she has been a member of the UQ Chamber Academy since 2025 and competed at Strike a Chord in a piano trio, placing 3rd place.
Liam Beak is a 15-year-old Grade 11 student with a deep commitment to the violin. Liam began learning the violin at 7 earning numerous awards at eisteddfods such as Redlands and Beenleigh. He has been an avid member of Queensland Youth Orchestra since 2021 and achieved his AMusA diploma by 2023.
In 2024, Liam was selected to perform the Bruch Violin Concerto in a series of concerts across Queensland with QYO, including a tour performance in Maryborough. In 2024 Liam first joined AYO participating in the Young Symphonist program. In the same year he completed his LmusA with his previous teacher Spiros Rantos. Currently Liam learns from Natsuko Yoshimoto and enjoys playing chamber music. This led to his invitation to the Adam Summer School for chamber music in New Zealand.
Sean is a 20-year-old violinist who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Engineering and Computer Science at UNSW. Outside of university, he continues to learn violin from Dr Evgeny Sorkin. He attended Sydney Grammar School on a full music scholarship (2018-2023) and was awarded his LMusA in 2019. He has frequently played in eisteddfods and competitions around Sydney where his achievements include placing first in the Violin (20 & under) section of Sydney Eisteddfod in 2022 and being a finalist of the KPO Concerto Competition in 2023.
While studying at UNSW, Sean continues to be involved in Sydney’s music scene, often playing in various orchestral and chamber projects around Sydney. He also plays the pipe organ at several churches and works casually for a pipe organ tuner.
Monica Rallabhandi is a violinist who in 2025, completed a double degree in the Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Arts (violin performance) program from the University of Western Australia. She began her musical journey at the age of five, learning piano and Indian classical singing. At age seven, she began learning violin and is currently studying under the tutelage of Professor Paul Wright. In 2024, Monica participated in a 4-month long exchange program at the University of Toronto, where she studied psychology and music, and received lessons from Head of Strings, Mark Fewer.
As a well-integrated member of the Western Australian (WA) music scene, Monica has performed and collaborated with the WA Symphony Orchestra, the WA ballet, WA opera, Cygnus Arioso, Fremantle Chamber Orchestra, Perth Symphony Orchestra and more. Alongside this, Monica has been part of the WA Youth Orchestra for five years, including serving as concertmaster in 2025, which awarded her the Peter Moore Scholarship. In 2025, she received the Wesley Uniting Church scholarship and was also named a young artist with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in Perth. This gave her the opportunity to perform the third movement of the Dvorak violin concerto with the orchestra.
18-year old musician Ji Hun Hwang began his violin studies in Brisbane before moving to Melbourne, to complete high school at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. During his studies he frequently participated in the flagship Melbourne Youth Orchestra and numerous AYO National Music Camps.
Under the tutelage of Lucy Warren, he was awarded a Robert Stolz Viennese Music Society Scholarship in 2022, and a premier’s award for VCE Music Repertoire Performance during 2024. He then went on to expand his violin career garnering success in chamber music competitions at his school and throughout the Music Society of Victoria. In 2025, he participated in a school collaboration with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra in the concert Fantasia.
Outside of Violin, he is also an aspiring singer and composer. He first debuted as a singer with the Queensland Korean Orchestra at age 10. During high school, under the guidance of Dermot Tutty, he has sung as a tenor soloist at his school’s major season concerts and guest artist in the prestigious Herald Sun Aria competitions. He also premiered his composition, Fields of Delphinium, with his piano quartet on 3mbs last year.
Nathan Wayne is a 16-year-old violinist from Camberwell Grammar School in Melbourne Australia. He began studying the violin at the age of six with Mr Robin Venables, and now continues his musical journey under the guidance of Dr Elizabeth Sellars. A highly motivated and dedicated musician, he is deeply passionate about both solo and ensemble performance.
Nathan was awarded the AMusA Diploma (2023) and the LMusA Diploma (2024), both with distinction. In 2025, he was invited to perform at the AMEB Conferring of Diplomas Ceremony.
As a music scholar at Camberwell Grammar School, Nathan plays an active role in the school’s vibrant music programs, performing in the CGS Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Highton Strings ensemble. Beyond school, he has achieved success in eisteddfods across Australia and international competitions, and has taken part in Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) programs, collaborating with outstanding young musicians from across Australia.
Beyond music, Nathan is a keen sports enthusiast. He enjoys gym training, swimming, running, table tennis, chess, and fencing.
Olivia Spyrou is a passionate young violist, born and raised in Melbourne. They have recently graduated from a Bachelor of Music degree at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University (QCGU), where they have been under the tutelage of Assoc. Professor Michele Walsh for 3 years.
As a soloist in 2024, Olivia won the John Curro Viola Prize and went on to perform York Bowen’s Viola Concerto in C minor in QCGU’s Concerto Festival (2025). As a passionate chamber player, they have performed with a wide variety of ensembles, including chamber music side-by-sides with Cuarteto Quiroga and the LA Philharmonic Wind Quintet. Later in 2024, Olivia was awarded the Ross Peters 4MBS Chamber Prize. And in 2026, they will travel to Canada with their trio to perform at the Musical Chairs Chamber Music Festival in Montreal.
Olivia has always felt a deep passion for orchestral performance. Their orchestral journey began back in 2019 with the Australian Youth Orchestra. This year marks Olivia’s eighth year with AYO and first year as principal viola of the flagship orchestra. In early 2026, Olivia looks forward to performing in the Sydney Symphony fellowship through AYO’S Professional Immersion program.
Most notably this year, Olivia will perform as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s newest viola academist for 2026.
Haruki is a 16 year old violist in his senior years at the conservatorium high school in Sydney majoring in viola. He currently studies under Stuart Johnson through the school and participates in many ensembles including a chamber ensemble selected for the ENCORE showcase for HSC music students alongside playing in multiple other chamber ensembles that were nominated. Outside of the school’s music program Haruki has previously been involved in the ACO academy program for 3 years and is seated in the front desk of the SYO Flagship orchestra for two years.
Haruki started on the violin at age four and started taking music more seriously from age 10 when he switched to the viola and found a love for music. He finds great pleasure in learning the depth of chamber music guided by his peers and tutors and always looks for opportunities to express himself and play new repertoire. He has previously participated in the AYO Young Symphonists program finding like-minded musicians and looks forward to the other opportunities he will find through AYO.
Evan O’Connor is a Melbourne-based violist and vocalist currently in Year 12. His first study is viola under Gabrielle Halloran, with second study in voice under Jocelyn Hickey.
As a violist, Evan has performed as Principal Violist with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra Flagship ensemble (2025) and the Australian Youth Orchestra Young Symphonists Program (2025), as well as Amadio Chamber Orchestra at National Music Camp (2026). He has also participated in other major national programs including the ACO Academy, and the YMS National Academy.
Evan has appeared in side-by-side collaborations with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed in professional settings with The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria and Melbourne Opera. He has also performed in live recitals on 3MBS Radio with a range of chamber ensembles. As part of his voice work, Evan has performed regularly with the Nocturnal Nine Ensemble and the VCASS Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dermot Tutty. Vocal performances include appearances at the Melbourne Recital Centre & Scots Church, and live radio recitals on 3MBS. He has been accepted into the Victorian Opera VOYCE Program for 2026.
Evan is a recipient of multiple awards, including the VCASS Music Repertoire Performance Award, VCASS Year 11 Music Excellence Award, and joint first place in the VCASS Chamber Music Competition for both voice and viola ensembles. He was also a joint recipient of the Strike A Chord: Australian Music Prize as part of the Stop 19 Strings ensemble for viola in 2024.
Pascal began playing the violin aged five with Suzuki teacher Toni Robson. During high school, he studied violin with Fintan Murphy and viola with Gabrielle Halloran at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, graduating in 2024.
Pascal is currently studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Roger Benedict, where he is the recipient of the Corinna D’Hage Mayer String Scholarship and the Kathleen and Allison Short Scholarship. He has also been awarded the St Andrew’s College Major Music Scholarship and the Rathbone Music Scholarship.
An avid orchestral performer, Pascal has been a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra since 2024 and has served as Principal Viola for Young Symphonists (2024) and National Music Camp (2026). In 2024, he toured internationally with the Melbourne String Ensemble, performing in cities across Germany and Czechia.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Pascal has been recognised with awards from Musica Viva’s “Strike A Chord”, the Music Society of Victoria, Sydney Eisteddfod, the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, St Andrew’s College (USYD) and the University of Sydney’s Palladian Cup.
Alex Monro is an Australian violist, harpist, and composer. Born in Adelaide in 2006, he is currently pursuing a double degree in Music and Advanced Science (physics) at the Australian National University and performs professionally on both viola and harp. He composes for chamber ensembles, films and plays, and creates digital media.
Alex is a violist in the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and is a guest artist in Apeiron Baroque. He has performed in Parliament House and has performed solo at the Hungarian and Croatian embassies. He studies viola with Marianne Yeomans and harp with Alice Giles.
Tom is a French/Australian Violist based in Melbourne, and is a recent graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Tom originally started playing violin at the age of four and switched to Viola when he was 11 years old. He has an extensive performance portfolio in chamber music, solo and orchestral music, including: Melbourne Youth Orchestra programs and side by side projects with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, along with performances at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the MYO curtain raiser. Tom has also participated in many programs with the Australian Youth Orchestra, including the National Music Camp in 2024 and 2025 along with the Young Symphonists program.
Tom has won multiple awards such as: 1st place at the Music Society of Victoria’s chamber music competition in 2023 and 2024 with a string quartet and string sextet respectively, and 1st place at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Annual Chamber music competition in 2024 with his string sextet and 1st place in 2025 with his Vocal Nonet. Tom has also been awarded the Robert Stolz Viennese Music Scholarship in 2024 and the Cate David Award for Excellence at Border Music Camp in 2022.
Juah is a 17 year old violist based in Sydney. She attends MLC School, Sydney on a full music scholarship and has become the Music Captain of 2026. She is a passionate member of her school orchestras and ensembles, performing in renowned venues as Principal Viola. She is currently studying under Anne Louise Comerford, Associate Principal Violist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
She has received many awards and recognition for her solo playing, notably achieving a distinction in her LmusA diploma in 2024, and winning the St George Open Age String Concerto Championships in 2025. She actively competes in many other eisteddfods as well, receiving several first place awards in major competitions around Sydney.
Juah has played with the Australian Youth Orchestra since 2024, learning with Australia’s finest performers and teachers. This year, she served as Associate Principal Viola in AYO National Music Camp.
Alex was born at a very young age and began his life as a musician not long after. Trying his hand at percussion and violin before settling on the viola, he soon joined a string orchestra and never looked back.
Fourteen years later, Alex now plays as principal viola with the Queensland Youth Symphony and was an Emerging Artist with the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra in 2025. He has performed with The Orchestra Project, The University of Queensland and Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestras, the Young Mannheim Symphonists, and has attended AYO’s National Music Camp since 2023.
When he isn’t scraping a bow across four strings, Alex holds one of eight contracted positions with the Schola of St Stephen, is a regular guest with choirs across Brisbane and regularly performs and records across south-east Queensland.
In his spare time, Alex works casually as a teaching academic in computer science at The University of Queensland and contributes to ongoing research in the field of static analysis. He is just shy of completing his Bachelors and is looking forward to further research in the field.
Other than practicing and writing code Alex also enjoys rock climbing, cycling, medium-format film cameras and trying to find old LPs of classical music to add to his collection.
Isaac is a 17-year-old violist from Melbourne. Beginning his Suzuki method education at age three on the violin, Isaac transitioned to viola at age 13 and currently learns from Mick Loftus-Hills. He is a music scholar in Year 12 at Camberwell Grammar School.
Isaac has been regularly involved in Australian Youth Orchestra programs since 2023, and has been a long-standing participant in the Melbourne Conservatorium Young Artists’ Academy and the Melbourne Young Chamber Music Academy, the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy, and various chamber music programs at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, studying with renowned music teachers such as Sophie Rowell, Edith Salzmann, Elizabeth Sellers, Stephen King, and Lisa Grosman.
With a particular love for programs featuring Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, Isaac has been a member of the Flagship Melbourne Youth Orchestra under Brett Kelly since 2024, and aspires to continue learning music to become an professional orchestral viola player.
Amayah is a 21-year-old violist from Sydney. She began playing the violin at the age of six, transitioning to the viola at age ten. Throughout her high school years, she studied under the tutelage of Jacqueline Cronin and was awarded her AMusA with Distinction in 2022.
She is currently a fourth-year student completing her Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying with Roger Benedict and Stuart Johnson. Amayah performs regularly with the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and, in 2024, participated in the Regional NSW Chamber Orchestra Tour. She was selected to participate in the NSW Parliament Bicentenary Commission Project, where she took part in composition readings, recording sessions, and performances at the ICC Sydney and NSW Parliament. She has participated in numerous masterclasses, most notably with Professor Kirsten Docter. Amayah grew up playing in the Sydney Youth Orchestra’s string programs and performed with the flagship orchestra from 2024 to 2025.
Outside of university, Amayah is an active freelance musician in Sydney, regularly performing with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, as well as at corporate events and weddings.
She has participated in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp from 2025 and is looking forward to playing in their Summer Season program.
At age eight, James announced that he would become a “mathemusician”. This has proven prescient: he currently studies cello with Howard Penny at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), having previously studied under Simon Cobcroft and Rachel Johnston, and holds a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) in physics and mathematics from the Australian National University.
The Australian Youth Orchestra is largely to blame for luring James towards a musical career. He served as AYO’s Principal Cello on the 2025 International Tour, performing at Musikverein and Het Concertgebouw. He is also a member of the Academic Orchestra of Zürich and a casual cellist with the Adelaide and Canberra Symphony Orchestras.
Incurably fond of chamber music, James has collaborated with William Barton, Wilma Smith, Kirsten Williams, and Ensemble Offspring. As a soloist and recitalist, he has appeared for Musica Viva, the Canberra International Music Festival, and at various embassies. His concerto performances have garnered “wild acclaim”, with Canberra City News calling him a “dynamo on the cello”.
James has been supported by the ANU Friends of the School of Music Performance Scholarship, Ruth Pfanner Scholarship, Erika Haas Prize, Wesley Scholarship, Fankhauser Travelling Fellowship, and Dunbar Physics Honours Scholarship. When not playing cello, he enjoys composing, discussing differential geometry, and reading Murakami.
The Principal Cello Chair is generously supported Simon Johnson & David Nichols.
Maggie Wang is a seventeen-year-old cellist studying under the guidance of Howard Penny from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). In both 2025 and 2026, she was appointed principal cellist of the Bishop Orchestra at the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp and was selected to perform with the AYO flagship orchestra on its 2025 International Tour. In addition to her involvement with the AYO, Maggie has also been a long-standing participant of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy and Melbourne Youth Orchestra, holding principal cello positions across multiple concert programs.
As a soloist, Maggie has performed Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme with the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Fabian Russell, following her selection as a finalist in the 49th John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition. In both 2022 and 2024, she was named a finalist in the Preston Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition, receiving the Overall Winner award in 2024. Maggie was also invited to perform at the Qingdao International Cello Festival, where she was recognised as one of the Best Young Artists of previous seasons. Other notable performances include Elgar’s Cello Concerto with conductor Brett Kelly and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto under Spanish conductor Marc Moncusí.
Maggie is eager to further develop her musicianship through collaboration with like-minded musicians and participation in a wide range of musical projects and performance opportunities.
Milo Duval is a cellist studying under Hyung Suk Bae and Gyorgy Deri at the Queensland Conservatorium. He has seen success in international competitions, including the 2024/25 London International Music Competitions and has won prizes in competitions in the Queensland conservatorium. Milo has given celebrated concerts as soloist with many orchestras including the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, chamber orchestras, and youth orchestras. Milo also has accumulated an extensive orchestral experience, starting his performances with AYO when he was 13, and now playing in QSO Academy. Milo has worked with renowned teachers across the world including masterclasses in Germany, Norway, Japan and the United States.
Fourteen-year-old Gabriel Liu is a cellist and pianist from Camberwell Grammar School in Melbourne, where he holds a full music scholarship. He studies with David Berlin, Principal Cellist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Rachel Atkinson, Head of the CGS Music Academy. Gabriel has participated in masterclasses with leading cellists including Li-Wei Qin, Howard Penny, Ben Davies, and Professor Danjulo Ishizaka of the Berlin University of the Arts. In 2025, Gabriel attended the Cello Akademie Rutesheim in Germany, where Professor Ishizaka selected him as the top student in his masterclass to perform in the festival’s solo concert.
Gabriel has received prizes at numerous Victorian eisteddfods, including First Prize in the MSV 15 Years & Under Strings and overall winner of the Ringwood Eisteddfod Grand Final. In 2024, he was a top-three finalist in Season 1 of 3MBS’s The Talent. As cellist of the Kingussie Trio, he won Second Prize in Musica Viva’s Strike A Chord 2025, as well as the Boroondara and MSV Chamber Music Competitions in the same year. Gabriel also holds the LMusA (Cello), awarded with Distinction, and the AMusA (Piano), awarded with Distinction.
Jun Gardiner is a 15-year-old cellist studying with Howard Penny, Head of Strings at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). He achieved the Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA) with Distinction at age 11, and the Licentiate in Music, Australia (LMusA) with Distinction in 2023.
Jun has received recognition in multiple national competitions. Most recently, he was awarded first prize at the John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition in 2024. Jun was also the winner at The Talent 3MBS program. He was also a finalist in the Melbourne Recital Centre Bach Competition in 2021, 2022 and 2024, receiving encouragement awards in 2022 and 2024.
Outside of music, Jun enjoys playing sport for his school and is interested in a range of subjects.
Clara Moloney is a Year 12 student at Fort Street High School in Sydney. Clara started learning the cello at age four. Clara has been playing in AYO programs since 2024 when she attended her first National Music Camp. One highlight for her was playing Sibelius’ 2nd Symphony under the direction of Maestro Alexander Briger at National Music Camp in 2025.
Outside of AYO, Clara is the recipient of an Arthur Cunningham Scholarship at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Rising Stars program, where she studies with Susan Blake. In 2023, Clara won the Junior section of the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition and in 2024, she won the Open Age Cello section of the Sydney Eisteddfod and 2nd prize in the PolMusica Competition.
Clara was a finalist in the 2025 John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition, where she performed Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with the Queensland Youth Symphony in Brisbane. Furthermore, in November of 2025, with her String Quartet, Lumina, Clara toured jointly with the Flinders Quartet as part of the Flinders Quartet Mentorship Prize, awarded to Lumina in the 2024 Grand Final of Musica Viva’s Strike a Chord competition. Clara is also a keen participant in the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy and has performed in masterclasses with Julian Smiles and Liwei Qin.
Stirling Hall, 20, is a Brisbane cellist and the youngest of four musical siblings. A recent graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University an institution from which all his siblings also graduated Stirling has been guided by distinguished teachers including Hyung Suk Bae, György Déri and Matthew Kinmont.
Stirling has been a Finalist in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Prize (2022). He has held principal cello positions with the Queensland Youth Symphony (2023–24), the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp (2025), and various conservatorium ensembles. In 2025, he was a Young Artist with Southern Cross Soloists and a member of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Academy, while appearing in performances with Ensemble Q.
As a soloist, Stirling has appeared with the Queensland Youth Orchestra and the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto, and with the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra performing Schumann’s Cello Concerto. His artistic development has also been shaped by masterclasses with international artists such as François Thirault , Umberto Clerci, and Peter Bruns.
He is looking forward to commencing his studies in 2026 under the tutelage of Howard Penny at ANAM.
At a young age, Jeremy Spikmans began studying cello with Fran Firth and piano with Shirley Plowright. More recently, he has studied piano with Erica Booker and is currently studying cello with Thomas Tsai. Jeremy has performed as a featured artist, serving as a cello soloist in the NSW Primary Proms, and as a concerto soloist with the Blue Mountains’ Orpheus Strings. His love for orchestral playing began at the age of six when he joined the Sydney Youth Orchestras. The following year, he became a founding member of Penrith Strings and then the Penrith Youth Orchestra, where he rose to the position of principal cellist. He has also played with the Penrith Symphony Orchestra. A recent highlight for Jeremy was participating in the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy in 2024. His journey with the Australian Youth Orchestra began in 2023 when he participated in the Young Symphonists program. In 2025, he looks forward to attending his first National Music Camp and is excited to join the flagship orchestra for its Summer Season.
Based in Brisbane, Alyssa Deacon is currently under the tutelage of QSO Principal Double Bass, Phoebe Russell, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU). Alyssa has a range of orchestral experience. She was principal of the Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS) from 2022-2024, principal of the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) in 2024, she also led several programs with the QCGU orchestra in 2024. Alyssa enjoys playing as a soloist and in 2024 she performed concertos with QYS and QCGU. In 2023, she also performed solo with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, Alyssa and her chamber group won the Ross Peters 4MBS Chamber Music Prize. She received her ATCL for violin in 2019. Alyssa also teaches at Somerville House and St Peters Lutheran College. Alyssa is excited to go on international tour with AYO in 2025 and is thrilled to be a part of QSO academy for 2025.
The Principal Double Bass Chair is generously supported by Paul Morton*.
Classical double bassist Emma Meixner began her studies in Canberra at the Australian National University’s School of Music under the tutelage of Kyle Ramsay-Daniel and Max McBride before moving to Brisbane to continue with Phoebe Russell at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
Emma has always enjoyed orchestral playing, with her experience including performing with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra as a casual and playing with the National Opera and the Canberra Choral Society. She has been performing with the Australian Youth Orchestra since 2024, with her highlight being the Orchestra’s international tour to Europe in 2025. She was also principal of the Australian National University Orchestra, Canberra Youth Orchestra and the Canberra Symphony Youth Chamber Orchestra (CSYCO).
Emma also enjoyed her time as a Canberra Symphony Orchestra fellow in 2025.
While at the Australian National University Emma was awarded the Friends of the School of Music Performance Scholarship, and the Fankhauser Travelling Fellowship. She was also awarded the chamber prize at the Friends of the School of Music ensemble competition in 2025.
Leon started his musical life studying piano and cello with Shirley Plowright and Fran Firth in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, later taking up double bass under the tutelage of Paul Laszlo, and trumpet under Matthew Carter. In his primary school years he played cello with Penrith Youth Orchestra and double bass with Sydney Youth Orchestras, and was a Featured Artist (cello soloist) at the NSW Primary Proms. He also performed as a concerto soloist with Blue Mountains’ Orpheus Strings, on cello and double bass in subsequent years.
Leon is a double bass major (tutored by Andrew Meisel) at the Sydney Conservatorium High School, where he makes the most of playing in many different ensembles and styles on various instruments.
Leon’s AYO journey started as Principal Double Bass of Young Symphonists as soon as he was old enough to participate. In 2025 he was an Associate Principal in his first year at National Music Camp, and recipient of the Monty Wain Memorial Award. This year he is Principal Double Bass of Amadio Chamber Orchestra at NMC. He was thrilled to join AYO flagship on its international tour, and is looking forward immensely to performing around Australia this year.
Photography: Lisa Maree Williams
Leon Spikmans is the 2025 recipient of the Monty Wain Memorial Award.
Prized for his raw expression, musical story-telling, and lyrical captivation, Oliver Murphy is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, based in Brisbane. He is currently completing his second year of double bass studies at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, under Phoebe Russell. He teaches at St Peters Lutheran College and is a 2026 Upbeat Artist with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.
Originally from Toowoomba, Oliver has performed with Australian Youth Orchestra for several years and is looking forward to performances in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Darwin in 2026. He frequently performs and collaborates with Bellsonance Productions, a creative arts organisation empowering young artists. Oliver has also performed with the Australian Doctor’s Orchestra, Queensland Pops Orchestra, North Queensland Chamber Orchestra and UQ Symphony Orchestra.
Oliver is a committed advocate for solo and chamber music, enjoying the intimate and collaborative nature of small-ensemble work. As well as bass, Oliver is a proficient violinist, violist, cellist, and is a celebrated composer. Additionally, he has served as Music Director and Concertmaster, co-founded community concerts, and been commissioned to compose and perform for studio recordings. Oliver is experienced in Music Production and is the youngest person to win QCGU’s ScoreIT film scoring competition.
Oliver hopes to have a multi-faceted career featuring solo, chamber and orchestral performance.
Olivia has been an active member of various ensembles at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium since 2019. In 2022, she had the privilege of performing alongside the Australian String Quartet at the Coffs Harbour Chamber Music Festival, an experience that ignited her passion for classical performance.
Under the guidance of Bonita Han Williams since 2021, Olivia has deepened her technical and musical understanding of the double bass. She has also participated in Sydney Youth Orchestra programs and has served as Principal Double Bass of the NSW Regional Youth Orchestra since 2022, leading to collaborations with musicians from the Australian World Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.
In 2025, Olivia toured internationally with the Regional Youth Orchestra, performing in Austria and Germany, further broadening her global musical perspective. Looking ahead, she plans to commence a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium in 2026 to continue her classical double bass studies.
Sophia Buchanan has always found joy in creating music because of its ability to inspire and evoke. Since the age of 10, her passion for Double Bass has only grown. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of accomplished Double Bassist and teacher Phoebe Russell. Her previous mentors include Dr. Bernardo Alviz and Chloe Ann Williamson.
Sophia’s performance highlights include playing with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (2024), Australian Youth Orchestra (2023-2025), Queensland Youth Symphony (2021-2023) and the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra (2022-2025), where she has led numerous programs. In the Queensland Youth Symphony’s 2023 International Tour, she performed in some of the world’s best concert halls in Singapore, Austria and Germany, including making history as the first Australian symphony orchestra to play in the world-famous Musikverein Concert Hall in Vienna. Sophia has also had valuable experience playing chamber music alongside Ensemble Q and the LA Philharmonic Wind Quintet.
Sophia is excited to have been selected for the ‘Upbeat’ Young Artist program for Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra in 2025.
An Australian flautist with a keen interest in music, sports, and mathematics. Nathan Rinaldy began learning piano at age 4 and flute at age 7. At age 16, he was offered a place in a bachelor’s degree program.
He has performed twice at Carnegie Hall (New York), with the Salzburg Chamber Soloists and the K. Art Orchestra (China) under the direction of Zenhua Luo. He was a soloist at Mozart Week with the Youth Orchestra (Salzburg, 2018), at the Youth Symphony Orchestra Concert (Austria, 2019), and with the Summer Orchestra Institute (USA, July 2019) under the direction of Andres Lopera. He also performed with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Lin Daye (November 2019).
His awards include first prize at the Schubert Piano Competition (USA), the WA Performing Arts Eisteddfod (Australia), the Passion of Music International (USA), the Kunc Duo Competition (Germany), the Zgorzelec International Competition (Poland), the Laureate of the International Russian Rotary Music Competition (Moscow). First prize in Primala Musica (SOLO 2019 and TRIO 2018 + 2020), third prize at the Dutch International Flute Competition (Netherlands 2025), and many others.
Nathan was honored to receive a scholarship to study flute at Temple University in Philadelphia (USA). He is a member of Young Classic Europe (Germany) and the was a member of the Yehudi Menuhin Artists Program.
He was also part of the DVD production “Wir Wunderkinder” with Salzburg Chamber Soloists and in Mozart Ways Promotion. Furthermore, he and his sister participated in the benefit concert of the Rotary Club St. Rupert (Salzburg), the 40th anniversary of the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival (July 2021), as well as in performances at Musicopia, Philadelphia (USA) and at the Westerhof-Stieler House (Germany). They raised funds to help refugee children at the Catholic University Parish (KHG Unipfarre) in Salzburg to live in Salzburg.
He was a member of the Leopold Mozart Institute Foundation (Austria) and is currently studying at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz with Prof. Gauci-Ancelin.
What skills and/or experiences are you hoping to gain through AYO in 2026?
Hope to gain orchestral experience and guidance for the future.
What has been the highlight of your musical journey so far?
Finding the love and passion in what I am doing.
What would be your dream position, performance or role in your musical future? (e.g principal with Berlin Philharmonic – dream big!)
My dream Position in the future is to be a principal Flutist in the Berlin Philharmonic.
What was your favourite piece you have performed?
My favourite piece that I have performed was actually my first Orchestral Piece, which was Scheherazade
by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
Elana is an 18-year-old flautist from the Central Coast, in NSW. First inspired by her brother, she began her musical journey 10 years ago with her teacher Vanessa Couper. In 2024, she achieved her Associate diploma in flute, and she loves performing at every opportunity including in competitions, concerts and ensembles.
Elana completed high school in 2025 receiving recognition for her performances and composition. She has developed her skills in workshops and masterclasses with professional flautists and will be commencing university studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, in 2026.
In 2023, while principal flute with the NSW Regional Youth Orchestra, Elana participated in workshops and performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, at the Sydney Opera House. She also collaborated on projects with The Australian World Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Elana’s passion for orchestra started at Central Coast Youth Orchestra, in 2020. A highlight in 2025, was playing as lead flute in AYO’s Young Symphonists, and performing at the Snow Concert Hall in Canberra. Elana will be travelling to Europe, with SYO on their International Tour in April.
Elana is looking forward to the friendships and amazing opportunities with AYO and is very excited to be joining the Flagship Orchestra’s Summer Season in Melbourne.
Laura grew up on a farm in northeast Victoria. She was immersed in music from an early age, sight-reading at the piano, singing alto parts in church hymns, and learning first piccolo, then flute, from the age of nine. Her path was set, however, when she discovered orchestras through participation in regional student workshops run by Orchestra Victoria and began learning from Karen Schofield in 2019. Laura was accepted into the Melbourne Youth Orchestra in 2022, where she played as principal flute for the following two years and participated in side-by-side programs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Laura currently studies with Andrew Macleod, under whom she received her AMusA in 2023. She relocated to Melbourne in 2024, where she is working towards a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. She has performed as principal flute with both the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Wind Symphony, and has enjoyed exploring chamber music with her peers, including a side-by-side performance with the Australian String Quartet. In 2025, Laura was grateful to attend AYO’s National Music Camp in Adelaide, their Summer Season in Brisbane, as well as their International Tour in Europe.
Alex is an Australian oboist currently studying at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) under the guidance of Jeffrey Crellin. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Conall McClure, Alex has a strong focus on orchestral and chamber performance and is committed to developing a professional career.
Alex has performed with a range of leading Australian ensembles, including the Australian Youth Orchestra, Opera Australia, Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Darwin Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. Orchestral highlights include performing Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben with the Australian Youth Orchestra and appearances with Opera Australia in productions such as The Nutcracker.
At ANAM, Alex has participated in major orchestral and chamber projects including Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, Gran Partita, and the Janáček opera with Victorian Opera company.
Alex has undertaken masterclasses with Diana Doherty, Johannes Grosso, Bobby Cheng, Dominik Wollenweber, Ivan Podyomov, Fabian Thouand, and Nick Deutsch, and continues to refine their playing through intensive ensemble work and collaborative performance training. Outside of music, Alex enjoys skateboarding around Melbourne in his free time.
Joshua, emerging from Sydney, began his musical journey with the oboe at the age of ten, studying with distinguished teachers Eve Osborn, Ngaire de Korte, and Liam Sherman. Driven by a passion for excellence, he performed in formative masterclasses with renowned oboists Diana Doherty, former principal of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Johannes Grosso, principal of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Among Joshua’s achievements are his participation in the Rising Stars Academy program in 2022 and the Arts Unit Symphony Orchestra, experiences that enhanced his orchestral awareness, adaptability, and leadership. In recognition of his dedication and artistry, Joshua earned his AMusA Diploma with distinction in 2025.
Currently, Joshua is an oboe major at the Conservatorium High School, studying under Nicola Bell and actively engaging in orchestral, chamber, and choral music.
Besides his oboe journey, Joshua is an enthusiast in composing, creating works across solo, chamber, and orchestral settings, with a particular affinity for the post-romantic styles inspired by Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. He is also an aspiring conductor, seeking to enrich his experience and contribute meaningfully to his musical mastery.
Jeffrey Lu is a second-year student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying oboe on a scholarship under the tutelage of Shefali Pryor (Principal Oboe, Sydney Symphony Orchestra). Having recently graduated from Barker College, he has performed with ensembles such as The Song Company and the Australian Indian Orchestra. Jeffrey has previously participated in the 2025 AYO National Music Camp and is delighted to be joining AYO for the 2026 Summer Season.
Angus Hall is a passionate clarinettist from Townsville in North Queensland. He discovered his love for the clarinet at the age of 7 after finding one in his Nan’s cupboard and hasn’t put it down since. Angus began his tertiary music studies at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, studying with Paul Dean, and is currently completing his Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, studying with David Griffiths. During his undergraduate studies, Angus received many scholarships and prizes, most recently the 2025 Taffy Gould and Jeffrey Rosenfeld Prize, and the 2025 Ormond Exhibitions Scholarship.
As a soloist, Angus has performed the 1st movement of Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1 with the Queensland Youth Orchestra in 2023, and the Telemann Concerto for 2 clarinets at the 2025 Buffet Clarinet Week in Spain. Angus is an active member of the University of Melbourne’s Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, and in 2025 was principal Eb clarinet for both ensembles. Angus has also performed in masterclasses with Juan Ferrer, Keith Lipson, Boris Allakhverdyan, and Yehuda Gilad. When not playing the clarinet, Angus enjoys going to the gym, and playing board games with his friends.
Gippsland-born clarinettist Jorja Withall is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne. From the age of nine, she has been drawn to the clarinet’s sound and expressive possibilities.
Jorja has performed as principal clarinet with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony, and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra. She attended the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp in 2025 and looks forward to continuing her involvement with AYO in 2026.
She has performed internationally across Europe and Southeast Asia and has participated in masterclasses with José Franch-Ballester, Christian Stene, Edgar Heßke, Ma Yue, Yehuda Gilad, Sonia Sielaff, Philippe Cuper, Juan Ferrer, and Andrew Simon.
As a soloist, Jorja performed the Australian premiere of the Navarro Clarinet Concerto No. 2 with wind band. She also regularly performs professionally in chamber settings with well-known Australian musicians on both clarinet and bass clarinet.
In her spare time, Jorja enjoys long walks with her dog, horse riding, and spending time with friends.
Michael is a Melbourne-based clarinettist studying with David Griffiths. His musical journey began at the piano with his grandmother before developing into a passion for woodwind instruments, leading him to study oboe, bassoon, flute, saxophone, and ultimately clarinet. A dream in early high school prompted his switch from bassoon to clarinet, shaping his path as a multi-instrumentalist and influencing his choice of principal study at university.
Alongside his clarinet studies, Michael has continued playing the oboe, performing as principal oboe with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra in 2023 and touring Singapore and Malaysia with the Melbourne University Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed extensively in chamber ensembles through both his studies and with the wider musical community.
In 2024, Michael was awarded the Young Players Scholarship from the Percy Grainger Wind Symphony and was a finalist in the University’s Concerto and Aria Competition. In 2025, he received the Donald William Thornton Bequest Scholarship in recognition of his academic excellence. Michael recently participated in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2026 National Music Camp and is excited to perform in the 2026 Summer Season. Outside of music, he works in a pathology lab, searches for Melbourne’s best brunch spots, and enjoys spending time with his cat.
Arky began playing the flute at the age of twelve through his school’s band program, and picked up the bassoon a couple of years later, learning from Jordan London and Ben Hoadley in Canberra. He benefited greatly from the ANU Open School of Music’s Developing Musicians Program, which gave him the opportunity to play in a variety of chamber ensembles with frequent performance opportunities. Additionally, he had the opportunity to play bassoon in the ANU Orchestra throughout high school, where he could learn from high level musicians from a young age.
In 2024, Arky began studying a Bachelor of Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, studying bassoon performance under Lyndon Watts. Recent highlights include the 2026 AYO National Music Camp, and performing with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Sam Battock is a bassoonist from Brisbane, now based in Melbourne. She received a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (QCGU) in 2022 with guidance from David Mitchell (QSO). In 2024 she relocated to Melbourne where she is currently completing a Master of Music (Orchestral Performance) studying under Lyndon Watts (OV).
Sam has had the opportunity to explore a variety of ballet and opera parts through playing in Orchestra Victoria, Ballet Theatre Queensland (BTQ) and university productions. Recent highlights include playing in Victorian Opera’s Abduction with Orchestra Victoria and Prokofiev’s Cinderella with BTQ.
During her studies Sam has performed as Principal Bassoon and Principal Contrabassoon with the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra (QCGU) and University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Through participating in side-by-side projects at QCGU and UniMelb, she has played alongside members of the Australian String Quartet, Ensemble Q, Melbourne and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, and Orchestra Victoria.
Sam also enjoys chamber music performance and has participated in various chamber ensembles for almost 10 years. She recently played in Noosa Chamber Music’s first 2026 concert, exploring a program of mostly French music for wind quintet.
Away from the bassoon, Sam can be found reading or rollerskating.
Honoka Hidai is a 16-year-old Japanese-Australian bassoonist based in Brisbane. She began playing the bassoon at age seven. Originally from Cairns, Honoka relocated to Brisbane to pursue broader musical opportunities and further her training. She currently studies under bassoon teacher Nicole Tait. In 2025, Honoka was a finalist in the Young Instrumentalists Prize competition. She has a strong interest in orchestral performance and is dedicated to continuing her development as a bassoonist through both ensemble and solo work.
Brisbane-based harpist Myiesha Maisuria has been captivated by the harp since the age of 8, starting on the Celtic lever harp before advancing to the pedal harp at the age of 13. She is currently a first-year Bachelor of Music student at the Queensland Conservatorium and is excited to continue her journey of musical development. Myiesha is mentored by renowned soloist and chamber musician Emily Granger, the current principal harpist of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. As an experienced orchestral musician, Myiesha has performed as principal harp of Queensland Youth Symphony and Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra, while participating in an Australian Youth Orchestra Season, two National Music Camps and the Young Symphonists program. Keen to explore a variety of different genres, Myiesha has also played in musicals produced by Lynch & Paterson and performed in the 4MBS Opera Gala in partnership with Ensemble Q. As a soloist, Myiesha has won first prize in Harp Society of Queensland competitions and regularly volunteers to perform at their community events.
Reuben Johnson is an Australian pianist and organist who has repeatedly proved himself as a versatile and sensitive musician in both collaborative and solo endeavours. Reuben graduated from the Australian National Academy of Music in 2024, studying piano with Timothy Young, and holds a Bachelor of Music from Griffith University, Queensland, from 2021. Reuben has also received mentorship from Paavali Jumppanen and Daniel de Borah.
Reuben is currently the organist at Newman College, Melbourne, where he sees frequent solo appearances on both piano and organ, as well as regular work with the college choir. 2025 has also seen appearances as a Keys 1 player in Melbourne’s production of Footloose the Musical; pianist for the Australian Youth Orchestra’s Summer Season in 2025 and 2026; and performances as an ANAM alum in Pierre Boulez’s Flute Sonatine and Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor.
Reuben is an advocate for Australian Music and has performed and recorded the of works by numerous composers including Roger Smalley, Liza Lim, Paul Dean, Brett Dean and Christopher Wilcock; as well as world premieres of works by Nicole Murphy, Frankie Dyson Reilly, Christopher Sainsbury and Po Goh.
Reuben has consistently won awards from national and international events. These include: winner of the best chamber performance at ANAM in 2024, for Smalley’s Horn Trio with, Maddie Aarons and Liam Pilgrim; The Ursala Hoff award for the best performance of a classical work in an ANAM recital in 2022; and first prize in the university category of the Bolder Bach Festival’s Online Bach Competition 2020, where he was the only Australian prize-winner.
Matthew is a 19-year-old percussionist, timpanist, and drummer based in Perth. He is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Music performance in classical percussion at the University of Western Australia and has recently completed his first year of study under the tutelage of Dr. Paul Tanner.
Growing up in a noisy musical household in the suburbs, he decided to play percussion in order to be even louder and more rambunctious than his other three siblings. With the guidance of his parents and teacher Marcus Perozzi, he began learning through his primary school at the age of 10.
He graduated Perth Modern School in 2024 with various accolades, including the WA ATAR Music subject exhibition, Dettman Music Scholarship, and Instrumental Music Student Award. He is also the inaugural (2025) recipient of the Christine Morhall Scholarship in Music at UWA, following a season as principal percussion & timpani in the WA Wind Symphony.
Matthew is a versatile and multi-faceted player with a strong passion for almost any kind of music. His playing experience includes orchestras, wind orchestras, brass bands, musicals, jazz big bands, pop rock cover bands, and anything else he can find his way into in the future. He is delighted to be a part of AYO’s flagship orchestra in 2026.
Nathan Herbert is an orchestral percussionist and timpanist from Perth, Western Australia. In 2024 Nathan graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Australia – Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of WASO Principal Percussionist Brian Maloney. In 2025 Nathan completed a Bachelor of Music (Degree with honours) from the University of Melbourne under the tutelage of MSO Principal Percussionist Shaun Trubiano.
He has received multiple awards and scholarships throughout his percussion career so far including the UWA Delano scholarship (2022), 1st prize in the ensemble category of the Marimbafest Australia competition (2022), Top 4 in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Snare Drum Competition (2024) and 2nd place in the UWA Waveney Wansborough Competition (2024).
Nathan has performed in principal positions in both the UWA Symphony Orchestra, the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the West Australian Wind Symphony and was a member of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra from 2021 to 2024. He has also been involved in multiple collaborations with West Australian Opera and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
In 2025 Nathan was a participant on AYO’s National Music Camp and a member of AYO’s flagship symphony orchestra where he had the privilege to be a part of the Australian Youth Orchestra International Tour performing in Europe’s most renowned concert halls including the Musikverein and the Concertgebouw. Nathan also participated in the AYO professional immersion program culminating in a successful casual audition with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Felix Gilmour is a percussionist and drummer currently living and studying in Melbourne. Since he was in primary school, learning music has always been an integral part of his life, taking private lessons for piano, drums, concert percussion, music theory, and composition, all the way from prep to year 12. Felix is currently studying classical percussion and timpani with Brent Miller and Shaun Trubiano at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
Felix is experienced in orchestral and concert music, having been a member of the Melbourne Youth Orchestras programme from 2018 to 2023. Felix is currently a member of the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony, as well as a member of the MCM’s percussion ensemble ‘MYRIAD’. Some recent highlights include attending the 2026 AYO National Music Camp, completing an east coast tour with the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony as principal percussion in 2025, and winning the 2024 MSO Snare Drum Award.
Felix’s love for hitting things musically extends far beyond the orchestra. Coming from a drumming background, Felix will always be a drummer at heart, attending jam sessions throughout Melbourne and also being active in the musical theatre scene. In 2025, Felix was active as a recording artist, having played on new albums by Kutcha Edwards and Oliver Downes.
Bryn hails from Goulburn, NSW and has just finished his fourth year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (SCM) studying a Bachelor of Music (Orchestral Percussion) under several different percussionists including:
Kevin Man – Associate Principal Percussion, Opera Australia
Mark Robinson – Associate Principal Timpani/Section Percussion, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Ian Cleworth – Ex-Principal Percussion, Sydney Symphony Orchestra & Co-Founder, Taikoz
Antoine Siguré – Principal Timpani, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Notable performances from Bryn in his time with SCM include:
SCM Wind Symphony’s Tour to Japan and South Korea in 2024.
SCM New Music Ensemble’s program on 19th September 2025 conducted by Sam Weller, performing for Simone Young in celebration of her receiving an honorary doctorate from Sydney University.
As well as this, he has had the opportunity to play with a number of ensembles in Sydney including Sydney Youth Orchestra, ARCO Young Mannheim Symphonists, Sydney Concert Orchestra, Western Sydney Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Sydney City Brass Band, Australian Indian Orchestra, Australian Vietnamese Youth Orchestra, and more.
This is Bryn’s second year with Australian Youth Orchestra, and he is excited to be joining the flagship orchestra for the first time.
Melbourne-born horn player Henry Eames is a graduate of Monash University, where he completed a Bachelor of Music and an Honours degree in Secondary Education in 2025. He began learning horn from Yang Xiao from 2014-2021, and Roman Ponomariov from 2022-2025.
Henry is quickly establishing himself as an emerging orchestral and chamber musician in Australia. He holds a casual position with the Melbourne-Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Opera and has performed extensively as a freelance musician across Melbourne. He has appeared with ensembles including the Australian Youth Orchestra, performing in the 2025 National Music Camp and Chamber Players, and previously with the Monash Academy Orchestra, where he was Principal Horn for 4 years. Henry also performs regularly with the Noctus Horn Trio and the Zyphers Wind Quintet, exploring both core repertoire and contemporary Australian works.
Henry has been recognised through numerous awards, including being a finalist in the Monash University Concerto Competition for three consecutive years (2023-2025), a finalist in the 3MBS Young Talent Competition (2024), winner of the Monash Australian Music Prize (2024), runner up for the Allan Zavod Competition (2024 and 2025) and recipient of the Monash Academy of Performing Arts Orchestral Scholarship (2022).
Outside of music, Henry enjoys playing golf, catching big fish, cooking and is passionate about music education.
In 2026, Henry will be undertaking his first year of studies at ANAM under Carla Blackwood and Ben Jacks.
Jude Austen Kaupe completed his Bachelor of Music at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University before continuing his honours study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, graduating in 2025. At these institutions he has been under the tutorage of esteemed horn players Rachel Silver, Peter Luff and Ysolt Clark.
As an active freelancer in Sydney and Brisbane, Jude has the privilege of working with world class orchestras such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Camerata Chamber Orchestra. Jude’s passion for music continues with his deep involvement with chamber groups. He is a member of up and coming Orpheus Quintet, AFCM Fellowship ensemble for 2026, and has featured as an artist at Tyalgum Chamber Music Festival. In 2023, he competed at the International Horn Symposium in Montreal, winning the Horn Ensemble competition with renowned QHorns.
Whilst Jude invests much of his time into musical endeavours, he also enjoys spending time at Sydney’s beaches, playing soccer with friends and home-brewed morning coffees.
Sarah Bernard first started learning piano at the age of five, however, she truly discovered her passion for music after choosing to play the horn at school.
She recently completed her Bachelors of Music Performance with Honours at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, under the tutelage of Rachel Silver and Michael Wray.
Sarah has been the recipient of the Richard Merewether Horn prize at the Sydney Conservatorium in 2023 and 2024. Sarah has served as principal horn on the Sydney Conservatorium’s International Wind Symphony tour, as well as in their Symphony Orchestras. She has also been lucky enough to take part in the Australian Chamber Music Festival Pathways Program, as a member of Infront Brass. Sarah has the privilege of performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She was a participant of AYO National Music Camp in both 2025 and 2026 and looks forward to performing with the Australian Youth Orchestra flagship orchestra.
Lucy Smith is currently studying at the Sydney Conservatorium with Rachel Silver and Sam Jacobs. First learning the piano and trumpet, Lucy began learning the horn in late high school with Rafael Salgado, instantly falling in love with it. Upon finishing school in Sydney, she moved to Melbourne for 3 years, learning from Carla Blackwood at the Melbourne Con. Lucy has been lucky enough to play casually with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. She loves the teamwork required to play in a horn section and hopes to one day be part of an Australian orchestra. While obviously loving the late-romantic, horn-heavy works of Mahler and Strauss, Lucy also has a particular soft spot for Mozart and Haydn symphonies and will often finish off her day with Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’ Symphony blasting through the speakers in her practice room, playing along with the second horn part. Lucy has a keen interest in early music and her ultimate dream would be to get to play with some of the incredible period instrument ensembles we have in Australia.
Thomas Ferreira-Montague is a dedicated young horn player from Brisbane, currently completing his Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU) under the mentorship of Associate Professor Peter Luff and Ms Ysolt Clark. A finalist in 2025 QCGU XO Brass Prize, Thomas enjoys playing a wide range of music that includes solo, chamber and symphonic works.
Thomas has been fortunate enough to have performed with ensembles such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Southern Cross Symphony, The Metropolitan Orchestra Brisbane, Ensemble Q, Queensland Ballet and Opera Queensland (OQ). As well as that, Thomas is currently the Principal Horn of the Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS), a member of the Queensland Wind Orchestra, as well as playing principal positions with the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra.
Thomas has also been fortunate to tour and perform in the Queensland Outback with OQ and has toured internationally to Singapore, Austria and Germany playing in renowned concert halls like the esteemed Musikverein with QYS. He has also had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with internationally renowned horn players Sarah Willis, Katy Wooley and Andrew Bain.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends, going on runs, being outdoors and perfecting making coffee.
Matthew Hyam is a trumpet player from Nowra, NSW. He began playing trumpet in 2016 in his Year 6 concert band under the guidance of John Dunstan. He is currently in his fourth year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music working towards completing his BMus (Performance) Degree under Dave Elton and Owen Morris.
Matthew has been an avid orchestral trumpet player since he began in the Shoalhaven Youth Orchestra in 2017. Since 2021 he has been a participant in the Sydney Youth Orchestras and from 2023-2025 was in their flagship ensemble. Since 2024 he has been a member of Australian Youth Orchestra and in 2026 will perform as Principal Trumpet at National Music Camp as well as their Summer Season. Matthew is also a regular casual with both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia performing in exciting programs such as Janacek Sinfonietta in 2025 with SSO and OA’s upcoming season of Turandot.
Outside of his Orchestral playing, Matthew is a passionate Brass Bander and regular member of the Willoughby Band where he has performed as both Principal and Soprano Cornet. He has been given opportunities to perform internationally with several ‘project’ bands such as Brass Band Newcastle in 2025 for the New Zealand National Band Championship. Matthew has also been selected as Repiano Cornet for Australia Brass which will compete at the World Music Contest 2026 in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
Toby will graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2026, having studied with Owen Morris and David Elton.
Making his trumpet debut in year 3 concert band, he joined the Sydney Youth Orchestra family in 2017 (starting out in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, led by then-teacher James Pensini). SYO highlights include Owen Morris’ performance of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto in the Sydney Opera House (listening on and playing from the orchestra), and Toby’s final concert as a member of the SYO, performing Mahler’s Seventh Symphony.
Under the guidance of long-time-mentor Daniel Mendelow, Toby successfully auditioned for his first AYO camp in 2022. Recently, he has had the privilege of performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, twice alongside his brother Cooper.
When not performing, Toby enjoys teaching at The Kings’ School, Santa Sabina College, and St Aloysius’ College. When not thinking about music, he can be found eating and sometimes sleeping.
Zachary Allen’s love for music began at the age of six, when he and his brother, growing up in a world filled with LEGO, were encouraged to learn piano. Although initially reluctant, music soon became integral to their lives, leading them to take up the trumpet. His first performance was a bold attempt at “Greensleeves,” which went well except for the last note… In time, he and his brother began playing duets for friends and neighbours and joined the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra’s Wind Ensemble, eventually becoming co-principal trumpet in the flagship orchestra. It was here that his passion for music flourished as he performed iconic orchestral excerpts.
At 12, Zachary was awarded the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s Aviva Scholarship, allowing him to study with Principal Trumpet Yoram Levy. By this point, he had saved enough prize money from Eisteddfod wins to purchase his own Bach Stradivarius trumpet. At 16, he successfully auditioned for his first national youth orchestra, a milestone that significantly advanced his musical development.
Currently, Zachary is pursuing a double degree in music and physics at the University of Tasmania. Inspired and driven by music, he dreams of performing as a soloist and becoming a principal trumpet in a leading orchestra.
Toby is a second year musician at ANAM studying under ASO principal trombone Colin Prichard. Before beginning his studies at to ANAM Toby completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours degree at the University of Melbourne under Professor Don Immel, and earlier, a Bachelor of Music at the University of Tasmania studying under David Robins.
With a love for performing orchestral music, Toby has previously had opportunities to perform alongside the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and has been involved in several past programs with the Australian Youth Orchestra. Of these experiences he has most enjoyed performing ballet suites of Stravinsky and Prokofiev.
Luke is a young trombonist heading into his third year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying under Nigel Crocker and Scott Kinmont. After his preliminary piano exam at 8 years old, he was determined to learn another instrument that could “do everything”. After some exploration Luke decided on the trombone because he loved its low sound. The trombone has captivated him ever since.
While at the Sydney Conservatorium, Luke has performed extensively with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Opera Orchestra and Brass Ensemble. In his first year, he was selected to tour with the Sydney Conservatorium’s Wind Symphony to Japan and South Korea. Luke also plays the alto sackbut in the Conservatorium’s Cornett and Sackbut group under Matthew Manchester. Outside of the Conservatorium, Luke has seen great competition success, winning the NSW State Band Solos Open Tenor Trombone category in 2025 and placing third in the National Band Championships Open Tenor Trombone category in 2025. He performs and competes with the Castle Hill RSL Northwest Wind Ensemble and Willoughby Brass Band.
This is Luke’s first program with AYO and he is super keen to share his love of music with fellow young Australian musicians.
“The standard required of these young musicians is extraordinarily high. These are the future leaders of Australia’s orchestral landscape — and they are already performing at a world‑class level,” said AYO CEO, Kimbali Harding.
Fourteen-year-old cellist and Camberwell Grammar School student Gabriel Liu – the flagship orchestra’s youngest musician – recently attended the AYO National Music Camp in Adelaide for the first time and said the opportunity to perform The Firebird Suite by Stravinsky with AYO is a “dream come true”.
“I am most looking forward to engaging with the vast and challenging repertoire, as well as experiencing the professionalism of the orchestral environment. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to perform in an orchestra of such a high standard,” said Gabriel.
Melbourne-based pianist and organist and AYO alumni, Reuben Johnson, 25, said he is looking forward to making music with a large group of people, and performing Stravinsky’s TheFirebird. He said while piano often plays a secondary role in the orchestra it features more prominently in this piece. “There are some quite tricky spots, but it’s a good challenge!”
AYO piccolo, Laura Dickie, said she is excited to be performing with the orchestra on her “home turf”. “As a student in Melbourne, I’m quite familiar with the venues we’re playing in, so I’m keen to just settle in and start playing some wonderful repertoire. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl free concert series is always fantastic, so I hope we can continue to help a new audience fall in love with orchestral music.”
Brisbane violinist John Kelly, 21, is also a “huge fan” of Stravinsky’s The Firebird – a piece he describes as “crackling with musical energy”. “The Infernal Dance is a bit of a finger-twister, but the reward will be putting everything together during rehearsals and recreating this musically chaotic scene,” said John, who has also been squeezing in plenty of metronome practice for the demanding rhythms in Daniel Nelson’s Steampunk Blizzard.
About the concert
This summer, the AYO 2026 flagship orchestra will be led by GRAMMY Award‑winner Christian Reif, who makes his Australian debut as they explore new musical territories, conjure cinematic soundscapes and embark on epic adventures through video game music and steampunk‑inspired works.
Set under the stars, audiences at the free Sidney Myer Music Bowl concert — presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on 11 February — will be treated to a genre-bending program with works by British composer Anna Clyne, Japan’s Nobuo Uematsu, Swedish composer Daniel Nelson, and Igor Stravinsky.
The concert marks the culmination of an intensive, week‑long immersive music program, bringing musicians to Melbourne from all over the country. Throughout the week, they will take part in tutorials and rehearsals with mentors from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
