Spring has sprung and performances, awards and achievements are in full bloom amongst the AYO community. During September, performances across the nation showcased the excellence of AYO musicians in a range of fields kicking goals.
Recent appointments
This month has seen a number of AYO alumni appointed to significant roles across the country. In Queensland, Shuhei Lawson (Cello, 2015-2017) and has tutored various programs including the 2026 National Music Camp, has been appointed the Assistant Principal Cello at Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Heading further south, in Victoria, Joshua de Graaf (Oboe, 2004-2005) has been appointed Sectional Principal Oboe with Orchestra Victoria. Joshua was also an AYO tutor in 2024.
2014 Composition alumni and featured composer in AYO’s 2027 Summer Season, Harry Sdraulig recently announced he will be joining the composition faculty of Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Former Sydney Symphony Orchestra Principal Flute Joshua Batty will be performing the World Premiere of Harry’s Flute Concerto with AYO at Sydney Opera House on February 13, 2027.
Left to right: Joshua de Graaf (credit: Simon Eceles), Shuhei Lawson (credit: David Kelly) and Harry Sdraulig (credit: Ruari Campbell)
Performance achievements
Throughout September, many AYO musicians have appeared as soloists across the country’s halls and stages.
September 20 was not a date to forget because two exciting concertos were performed by two 2026 AYO participants. In Sydney, violist Michael Monahan (Viola, 2025-current), who participated in the 2025 and 2026 National Music Camps, performed Weber’s Andante e Rondo Ungarese for viola with the Ku-ring-gai Youth Orchestra. Meanwhile in Gosford on the NSW Central Coast flautist and Symphony Central Coast 2026 Prodigies Concerto Competition winner Elana Sydenham (Flute, 2025-current) performed Fantasy on Der Freischütz by Claude-Paul Taffanel with the Symphony Central Coast. Both of these performances are a significant achievement in the performing portfolio of both Michael and Elana.
Anthony Romaniuk, (Piano, 1999) recently joined Queensland Chamber Orchestra Camerata to play piano, harpsichord and electronics in music composed by himself and others in a wide variety of styles, from early music through to jazzy 20th century. The concert was received to great reviews, with Limelight’s Suzanne Conway commenting: “Brisbane-born international keyboardist Anthony Romaniuk enjoys an impressive, wide-ranging musical career that encompasses his own compositions and arrangements, alongside performances of an astounding array of repertoire.”
Long term flute alumna, Eliza Shephard (Flute, 2010-2019) who was also AYO programs in 2022, 2024 and 2025 AYO programs, has just released her debut solo album with ABC Classic, I Will Not Be Sad In This World. In Eliza’s words, the album “is defiant and encapsulates my deep impulse to continue exploring all corners of the world in music.” Featuring works for flute, piccolo, alto and bass flute, piano and electronics, the program showcases the extraordinary versatility of both the instrument and the artist.
Competition news
At the start of this month, the winners of the Musica Viva’s 2026 Strike A Chord Competition were announced. After a nail-biting national final, with 12 finalist groups, Kingussie Trio, including cellist Gabriel Liu (Cello, current) taking home first place. This was followed by Quartet Avenoir which was particularly special to the AYO community, as the group was formed during AYO programs. The quartet – consisting of four 2026 AYO participants; AYO Symphonists concertmaster Samuel Hooper (Violin, 2024-current), Liam Beak (Violin, 2024 and current), Juah Hyun (Viola, 2024 and current) and Jun Gardiner (Cello, current) who live in various parts of Australia, including Tasmania, found time to rehearse and prepare for the competition during AYO’s 2026 programs. Third place was awarded to ATC Trio, which featured violinist Ellie Kyoung (Violin, current).
Livestream available
From one competition to the next, cellist Gabriel has also been announced as one of three AYO finalists in the 51st John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition. He will perform Martinu’s Cello Concerto No. 1 alongside other competitors including cellist, Lieun Park (Cello, 2022-current) who will perform Schumann Cello Concerto in A and Juah who will perform Bartok Viola Concerto. The final will take place on October 11 at the Old Museum Concert Hall in Brisbane. The competition was established by Queensland Youth Orchestras in 1976 to encourage the development of young Australian string players.
At ANAM, finalists for the annual ANAM Concerto Competition have been announced, with Felix Hughes Chivers (Viola, 2020–current), James Monro (Cello, 2019-current) and Jamie Wallace (Cello, 2021–2024) as finalists. The finalists will perform with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on 24 October, with the winner announced on the night.
Last month’s MRC Great Romantics competition, saw the Fiasco Quartet featuring AYO alumni, Ian Chiao (Violin, 2022-2025) and Lachy MacLaren (Violin, 2019) taking out first-place. The Milan Kantor Encouragement Award went to Freya Parr (Clarinet, 2024 – 2025). This achievement is a significant step in growing the career and portfolio of all alumni involved.
Awards, Scholarships and Community Engagement
Our alumni continue to make impact across many facets of the arts industry.
Horn player Jethro Llewellyn (Horn, 2024-present) presented on behalf of AYO at the Milkwood Steiner School Careers Expo in Darwin this month. Through his showcase, Jethro performed for the attendees and talked to attendees about what life is like on an AYO program.
Milkwood Steiner School Principal Netanela Mizrahi thanked Jethro and AYO for attending the expo. “Giving out students the opportunity to imagine themselves playing in the AYO with young musicians of such a high calibre plants a powerful seed. The staff, students and families of Milkwood Steiner School thank Jethro and all at AYO for the opportunities they have provided, and for all they inspire. We see this incredible potential in our students, and thanks to AYO’s time at our school, I believe our students now see this in themselves too,” she said.
Another example of alumni connecting with others, is the recognition of French horn alumna Elena Katahanas’ (Horn, 2013-2015) as a 2026 Churchill Fellowship awardee. Since attending AYO programs, Elana has become a highly passionate conductor and music educator. Through her 2026 Churchill Fellowship she will travel to the UK, Norway and Switzerland to investigate international approaches to brass band conducting, leadership and education.
Elena participated in AYO programs from 2013 to 2015.
The 2026 ARIA Awards nominations have been announced, with many of the AYO community being celebrated. Under the category of Best Classical Album, William Barton and Omega Ensemble album Gift – Our Breath of Life has been nominated. William Barton has appeared as featured artist with AYO between 2013 and 2020 and most recently on the 2025 International Tour. Under the category of Best World Music Album, Mo’Ju, Nicholas Buc and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have been nominated. The conductor of this project, Nicholas Buc (Violin, 2010) was a participant at the 2010 National Music Camp and has since had a diverse career as a conductor, composer and arranger.
Composition achievements
Compositions by AYO alumni continue to be championed across various medium.
In Brisbane, Dots+Loops recently announced their 2026 performance and composition fellows. Sophia Mackson (Viola, 2023, Media and Communication, 2025) and Sola Hughes (Viola, 2016-2025) have both been awarded a 2026 Dots+Loops fellowship. As part of this program the fellows will have prepare a show for the Dots+Loops’ biennial festival NONSTOP at the Brisbane Powerhouse on the 12th of December. The performance is described to be “6-hours of wickedly wonderous post-genre artists.”
Composition participant Angela Zhang (Composition, present) has been awarded the 2026 Alumni Friends Reisner Prize for UQ Music Composition. This prize recognises and supports an outstanding composition by a UQ School of Music undergraduate composer. Angela’s winning piece, written for saxophone ensemble will be premiered by the UQ Saxophone Ensemble at their concert in the GHD Auditorium on Monday 26 October. This achievement will allow Angela to home in her artistic practice and build her portfolio as a commissioned composer.
From left to right: Sophia Mackson, Sola Hughes and Angela Zhang
Alice Chance, whose work “Through Changing Landscape” was performed on the 2025 AYO International Tour in Europe, has recently been commissioned by the Sydney Children’s Choir to compose works for their recent performance at the Parliament of NSW, titled Voices of Parliament. The performance took place on September 13.
Moorambilla Voices Gala Concert
On October 3, Moorambilla Voices will present The Power of Possibilities: Celebrating 21 Years of Moorambilla Voices which will combine more than 400 young voices representing 81 communities across regional NSW perform works that capture the energy and grace of Australian native birdlife across the Narran Lakes and Macquarie Marshes.
The performance will feature 14 world premieres by Australian and international composers. Many AYO alumni are amongst the featured composers and performers. Thomas Hampton (Percussion, 2003-2004) will perform on Taiko drums. The performance will feature compositions by Andrew Howes (Violin, 2005 – 2010), Oliver Muller (Orchestral Management, 2023) and Dan Walker (Composition, 2001 and 2002).
As part of this performance, the AYO 2026 Momentum Ensemble will join Moorambilla Voices for their 21st celebration at the Sydney Opera House.
