“ACO Academy takes music-making seriously, and features challenging daily rehearsals,” ACO Violin Aiko Goto, who leads the program, says. “The rehearsals last a full day, and we do the string ensemble with chamber music sessions too. We perform a chamber concert for parents, and for listening to each other, at the end of the program.”
“It’s quite full on – and full on for us too!” she adds.
ACO Academy, established in 2012 to offer an extra stage of learning with the ACO and ACO musicians for school-aged children, sees children learn and rehearse as a full orchestra, and in orchestra 'sectional' rehearsals, all week, before performing with what they've learnt in a final showcase concert.
In 2025, we saw participants from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Armidale, and all players demonstrated skill way beyond their years, flourishing under the guidance of their ACO mentors.
The week culminated with a brilliantly energising concert to a full house in the Neilson concert hall at ACO On The Pier. Congratulations to all the students who took part in the program in 2025 in Sydney!
ACO Academy 2025 rehearsals.
“When ACO Academy was established, I was very excited to hear about the opportunity to mentor younger high school-aged students and choose from brilliant players,” ACO Violin and Academy leader, Aiko Goto says.
ACO Academy students warm up backstage at ACO On The Pier.
“The program lasts for only five or six days: on the first day they are very shy but they’ve prepared really well; the second day everyone is getting to know each other; by the third day everyone is chatting! By the fourth and fifth day, and the concert, there is a lot of excitement,” ACO Violin Aiko Goto says.
Moments from the final performance, the ACO Academy 2025 showcase – bravo!
“Every year is different, and has a unique character because of the students,” ACO Academy leader Aiko Goto reflects. “Teenagers are really, really sensitive, and they absorb everything and want to learn everything, so when we teach and give our energy they respond amazingly. I think they are a really precious age.”
Click here to find out more about ACO Academy.
Photos: Cassandra Hannagan
