Sydney Symphony Orchestra Announces 2023 Fellows

Designed to bolster the music careers of emerging artists, the symphony’s Fellowship has welcomed 10 participants to this year’s cohort

For over 20 years, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) Fellowship has seen its young musicians from around Australia and New Zealand go on to enjoy highly successful professional music careers nationally and abroad.

This year’s Fellows comprise violinists Dominic Azzi and Marcus Michelsen, violist Aidan Filshie, cellist Ariel Volovelsky, flutist Lily Bryant, bassoonist Jamie Dodd, oboist Noah Rudd, trombone player William Kinmont, trumpeter Sophie Spencer, and clarinetist Jes Broeren. 

To further develop technique, career management, and audition preparation, the Fellows will be involved in masterclasses with internationally acclaimed artists, mentoring by SSO musicians, and opportunities to play in chamber, mainstage, and regional orchestral concerts, where a stipend will also be included to cover performance calls. 

“It’s a challenging year for any Fellow — as they judge how to fit into a group, understand the responsibilities and professionalism, keep on top of emails, having a part, turning up and being ready to perform,” said SSO violinist and Fellowship mentor Rebecca Gill for last year’s program. “It’s about how to be an active, contributing, passionate member of an artistic collective.”

More on the 2023 Fellows can be found here.

Open to Australian or New Zealand emerging orchestral musicians aged 29 and under, applications for the 2024 program are now available here. 

Australia’s flagship orchestra, the SSO was formed in 1932 — the same year as the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge — and performs up to 150 concerts a year to more than 350,000 audience members a year. The SSO Fellowship program is generously supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, Create NSW, and its presenting partner Coxswain Alliance.