We’re delighted to announce the seven string players who will be Emerging Artists with the ACO in 2023.
Following a competitive audition process, these exceptional young musicians will spend the year working closely with ACO musicians, and rehearsing and performing as members of ACO Collective, our education and regional touring ensemble.
We have asked each of our new Emerging Artists to introduce themselves and say what they’re most looking forward to during their year with the Orchestra.
Meet our 2023 Emerging Artists below.
Beatrice Colombis – Violin
What are you most looking forward to about being an ACO Emerging Artist?
Which five people, alive or dead, would be on your dream dinner party guest list?
“I love to read, so I would probably invite some of my favourite authors. Haruki Murakami, Gabriel García Márquez, Mikhail Bulgakov, Jane Austen, Donna Tartt might be a few. They are geniuses, and I'd love to hear where they come up with the whacky things they write.”
Felix Pascoe – Violin
What are you most looking forward to about being an ACO Emerging Artist?
How did you get into playing an instrument?
“There was always music playing in my house. My parents listened to everything from Bach and Vaughan Williams to Neil Young and The Band. My older sister played violin throughout her schooling and this provided inspiration for me.”
Donica Tran – Violin
What are you most looking forward to about being an ACO Emerging Artist?
“I love watching the ACO as they play with such energy and excitement, and am always blown away by their depth and how seamlessly they work together as an ensemble. I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can with them.”
Who would your dream dinner party guests be, Donica?
“David Attenborough, because I love watching his documentaries and he would be able to answer all of my animal related questions. Sandi Toksvig, as she is very knowledgeable and funny and could provide fun facts at dinner. Yuval Noah Harari, as I’ve really enjoyed his books and is a wealth of knowledge. Anh Do, whose books and comedy I really love. And Heston Blumenthal so he could cook us all an extravagant feast.”
Megan Yang - Violin
What are you most looking forward to about being an ACO Emerging Artist?
“I’ve left every ACO concert I’ve attended feeling inspired and wanting more, so I can’t wait to work closely with the ACO members and be apart of the rehearsal process. I am also excited to perform and travel regionally the music and the other Emerging Artists.”
What are your favourite things to do outside music?
“Swimming at the beach (particularly important for my routine, and maintenance of health), barre, Pilates, going on very long bushwalks, embroidery (picked up in lockdown), travelling (any substantial amount of time I have, I try to visit a new city/country).”
Ruby Shirres – Viola
What are you most looking forward to about being an ACO Emerging Artist?
“Seeing an ACO concert feels like an opportunity to experience awe, every time. I'm looking forward to being able to see and be involved in the rehearsal process, and learning from the mentors in the Orchestra.”
How would you sum up your experiences of seeing the ACO?
“Seeing an ACO concert feels like an opportunity to experience awe, every time.”
Hamish Jamieson – Cello
What are you most looking forward to about being an ACO Emerging Artist?
Who’s your musician hero?
“Tipi! I don’t care if that’s a bit embarrassing.”
Adrian Whitehall – Double Bass
What are you most looking forward to as an ACO Emerging Artist?
“I'm looking forward to playing chamber music with the best musicians in the world and also with my friends/colleagues. Learning from Maxime Bibeau in 2023 will be exciting and Maxime's teaching will give new insight and broaden my Double Bass knowledge and skills.”
Who is your musical hero?
“I have too many Musical Heroes to list and my favourites change all the time. Currently I look up to the music of Ella Macens. I think her music is utterly beautiful and she is an Australian composer to watch out for. I desperately would love her to write a bass concerto! Another couple of influences that I'm currently enjoying are Olli Mustonen, Ólafur Arnalds, ODESZA, Flume and Fred Again. However I will always love the classical music from the geniuses of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Shostakovich and Strauss.”
Click here to discover and book the 2023 ACO Collective program.
