Seven string players will participate in the orchestra’s long-running programme
The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) has named its 2026 emerging artists. They are: violinists Olivia Kowalik, Benjamin Lam, Lydia Sawires and Theonie Wang, violist Sebastian Coyne, cellist Max Wung and double bassist Harry Young.
The ACO’s emerging artists scheme began in 2005, with the aim of connecting young, talented Australian musicians at the beginning of their professional careers. The programme consists of intensive learning, one-to-one mentorship, and side-by-side professional performance opportunities. Several alumni of the programme have gone on to become either regular performers with or permanent members of the ACO.
Violinist Olivia Kowalik is currently studying at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and is an alum of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has held principal positions in the Australian Youth Orchestra and Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra and Ensemble Apex.
Benjamin Lam is a violin graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he performed as concertmaster of the school’s orchestra. He is the recipient of the Henderson’s Travellers Scholarship, through which he travelled internationally.
Violinst Lydia Sawires has played in Australian Youth Orchestra programmes, the Sydney Youth Orchestra and Ensemble Apex. She also performs Arabic, tango and contemporary chamber music.
ANAM violin student Theonie Wang has participated in both the Adelaide and Sydney Symphony fellowships, as well as played as a soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Bendigo Symphony Orchestra. She is an alum of the Queensland Conservatorium.
Violist Sebastian Coyne is a graduate of both ANAM and the University of Melbourne. He is member of the Cedar Collective. During his time at ANAM he participated in masterclasses with Lawrence Power, Timothy Ridout, Florian Peelman and Carla Maria Rodrigues.
Cellist Max Wung has performed with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Fremantle Chamber Orchestra and Vienna Pops Orchestra. He has studied at both ANAM, under Howard Penny, and the University of Western Australia.
Double bassist Harry Young was a 2025 Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellow. He has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Queendland’s Camerata. He also toured with the Sydney Conservatorium’s orchestra in Europe and played regularly in the Australian Youth Orchestra.
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