Megan Sterling
About
Flute
AYO: 1996
AYO National Music Camp: 1992
Principal Flute of the Hong Kong Philharmonic since 2002, Megan Sterling has enjoyed working with some of the world’s top conductors and soloists. She has appeared live on Australian national television and radio, Hungarian National Radio, RTHK Hong Kong and in recital on WGBH, Boston. She has also performed at Parliament House for the Australian Prime Minister.
Megan has appeared in a Principal role with most of Australia’s leading orchestras and is a founding member of the Australian World Orchestra, which brings Australian musicians from elite orchestras around the world to play together.
Her many achievements include: 1st Prize in the Hungarofest International Flute Competition in Budapest; recipient of the prestigious Queen’s Trust Award; winner of a Symphony Young Australia Award; winner of the inaugural Canberra School of Music/Ansett Concerto Prize; the University of Melbourne Mozart Competition; a Premier’s Award; and four-time winner of the Leslie Barklamb Flute Scholarship.
Megan performed in the Australian World Orchestra’s 2015 concert series with Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE, which included a thrilling collaboration with AYO.
Q&A
Question: What were your aspirations as a young musician?
Answer Just to play music! I didn't really think about what it meant to be a professional musician. I vaguely pictured myself playing a concerto.
Question: Where has your musical career taken you?
Answer Outside Australia I have played in Hong Kong, China, Korea, Hungary, Boston, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, London, New Zealand, as well as some study in the UK.
Question: How did your experiences with the AYO shape your career?
Answer It was both highly competitive and very friendly! A good combination for motivating anyone towards a goal. Also the opportunity to play some key repertoire with top level conductors.
Question: What are some of your fondest memories of AYO?
Answer The people.
Question: What stands out about our young AYO musicians?
Answer They are friendly, conscientious, thoughtful and humble.
Question: What does an invitation to play as part of the Australian World Orchestra mean for an Australian musician?
Answer It is a wonderful recognition of achievements in music by Australians living in Australia and abroad. Music is a highly competitive profession, and many Australians who are achieving musical success on an international level are not known to Australian audiences. In sport, for example, Australians are always known and acknowledged wherever they are. This is not the case in music.
Question: What is the best advice that you could offer a young musician?
Answer Always try your best in all things. (And not just in music!)
Question: If your life were a movie, who would compose the soundtrack?
Answer Alexandre Desplat. I would hope for something whimsical and beautiful, and perhaps a little quirky. But perhaps that's someone else's life! I may end up with a Randy Newman montage...