We’re thrilled to announce the seven talented young musicians who will be Emerging Artists with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in 2026.
Following a rigorous and competitive audition process, these exceptional young string players will spend the year working closely with ACO musicians, and rehearsing and performing as members of ACO Collective, our esteemed touring ensemble.
With six of our Orchestra’s current permanent musicians being Emerging Artist alumni, we’re delighted to continue championing the next generation of string musicians in Australia.
Below, each of our new Emerging Artists introduce themselves and let us in on what they’re most looking forward to during their year with the Orchestra.
Olivia Kowalik
Violin
In violinist Olivia Kowalik’s family, music is a way of life. “My entire family has had a musical upbringing (except for my dog!). I am the 4th youngest of 5 siblings, each of us play an instrument and have adopted musical careers.” Her earliest musical memory is falling asleep to the sounds of her brothers practising. “It helped me fall asleep at night. I particularly loved hearing my oldest brother play the opening of Saint-Säens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.”
As a student of Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian National Academy of Music, Olivia joined the ACO at the TarraWarra festival in 2025, where she experienced the magic of the ACO up close. “I had a wonderful experience playing Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, but I also had the delight to hear Richard Tognetti’s 2nd movement of Beethoven’s violin concerto in the same concert. His performance absolutely blew me away!”
Olivia is thrilled to be mentored by ACO Principal Violin Satu Vänskä. “I can’t think of anything more exciting than having the opportunity to be mentored and to perform alongside Australia’s top musicians. Hearing the positive experiences from previous emerging artists has solidified the huge success of this program.”
Benjamin Lam
Violin
A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, violinist Benjamin Lam is now a String Conductor and Tutor in Sydney public schools with a passion for music education. Growing up, he enjoyed listening to Itzhak Perlman, who he counts as his childhood idol. This year, Benjamin will be mentored by ACO Violin Aiko Goto as part of the Emerging Artists program.
Like many of our musicians, Benjamin’s ACO highlight was seeing Abel Selaocoe in concert in 2025. “It was such a new experience, with all the singing, traditional music elements... it was just so immersive.”
When not playing or teaching the violin, you might find Benjamin woodworking, fishing or cooking. Of joining the Emerging Artists program, Benjamin says, “I have always admired the ACO so the opportunity to be mentored and perform with members of the ensemble was something that I could not miss... the opportunity to explore chamber music at a professional level with friends and mentors is such an exciting and fulfilling prospect.”
Lydia Sawires
Violin
Born in Sydney and a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, violinist Lydia Sawires then moved to Melbourne to study with the Australian National Academy of Music. From a family of percussionists, Lydia’s father creates and plays the Tabla (traditional Arabic drums).
Lydia looks forward to her mentorship with ACO Violin Liisa Pallandi, herself an Emerging Artist alumni. “I’m also very excited to be working with my mentor Liisa and gain her immense knowledge and experience. I have no doubt that I’ll finish the year with a more enriched and fulfilling approach to music making.”
Drawing inspiration from violinists Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Vilde Frang, who “put their whole heart into music making and take risks in a culture full of tradition”, Lydia looks forward to one day contributing to musical education for the next generation. “I think about how much I’ve learned over the years and how much that’s developed me into the player I am today and I would love to give that back one day to the future generation of classical music”
Theonie Wang
Violin
Melbourne-based Theonie grew up in Brisbane and attended the Queensland Conservatorium at Griffith University. As the daughter of a pianist and a cellist, with an aunt and uncle on hand for violin and music theory lessons, Theonie has had a thoroughly musical upbringing. Citing her musical hero as teacher Michele Walsh, who “changed the way I view music”, Theonie is also now passionate about music education. “My goal one day is to teach violin to the younger generation the same way she did for me and to see the beauty in creating music.”
From the front row, Theonie watched the ACO’s Piazolla in 2022 and counts it as “one of the best concert experiences I have witnessed.”
“I first encountered an ACO concert while studying my Bachelor’s degree in Brisbane, and it quickly became one of my favourite ensembles. The personality, cohesion, and energy of the group were unlike anything I had experienced before,” says Theonie. “I’m very excited to be challenged and develop a deeper understanding in ensemble playing whilst getting mentored by Helena Rathbone.”
Sebastian Coyne
Viola
Violist Seb grew up watching his mother, a piano teacher, with her students, and began his own musical education at the age of six. A long-time ACO concert-goer, Seb first saw the Orchestra perform in 2014 with Giovanni Sollima as soloist, and says he has “always admired the ACO”.
An alumnus of the Australian National Academy of Music, Seb has won awards for his performances as both a pianist and violist. He’s looking forward to “a diverse career that involves a combination of orchestral chamber and solo playing” and finds the perfect mentor in ACO Principal Viola Stefanie Farrands, herself once an ACO Emerging Artist. “Growing up, I was always obsessed with violists Lawrence Power and Timothy Ridout. I always wanted to sound like them.”
Max Wung
Cello
Malaysia-born Max Wung has been attending ACO concerts since moving to Perth as a child. His earliest musical memory? “Sitting on the bed and sawing away at a viola, while listening to my first cello teacher play pieces for me.” Aptly, his musical hero is Yo-Yo Ma, who he admires not only for his incredible artistry, but for his humanity. “He uses music to connect people and make a positive impact in the world, and I find that deeply inspiring.” He also loved ‘Abel Selacaoe’, our 2025 tour featuring the South African cellist. “The atmosphere was electric, and the audience was completely enchanted.”
In the year ahead, Max will be mentored by ACO Principal Cello, Timo-Veikko Valve. “I’m really looking forward to learning from the ACO players and being part of their musical world... the chance to play alongside them, to experience that level of connection and musical awareness, is something I find incredibly exciting.”
Harrison Young
Double Bass
Double bassist Harry Young remembers his violinist father teaching him the chords for Pachelbel’s Canon in D on the piano, in a competition for who could play the fastest. “Maybe I eventually chose to play bass so I'd have an excuse for not being able to play as fast as him!”
Born in Brisbane, raised in Perth and Toowoomba and now in Sydney at the Conservatorium of Music, Harry looks forward to revisiting WA in 2026 on tour with the ACO Collective. Mentored by Principal Double Bass Maxime Bibeau, Harry loves the ACO’s “varied and unique repertoire”. As a fan of American folk musician Sam Amidon, composer Mel Bonis and singer Peter Grudzien, Harry is inspired by the humanity and emotion of music, and loved the ACO’s 2025 Abel Selaocoe tour. “I was blown away... hearing the entire orchestra start to sing in the opening piece was a really special moment, and they had the audience singing along and dancing. A good reminder of what music is really about!”
Our new Emerging Artists will perform in From Winter's Stillness, directed by Richard Tognetti. Click here to buy tickets.
