Thirteen young players have been selected to take part in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Fellowship Program for 2026.

The program is the foremost of its kind in Australia, and in 2016, research by BYP Group found that it was making a significant contribution to the preparedness of young musicians in the orchestral sector.

As part of the program, the Fellows will receive intensive training, including masterclasses with world-renowned artists, dedicated mentorship from Sydney Symphony musicians, and performance opportunities across a diverse range of musical styles.

They will also take part in chamber and orchestral performances, appearing in mainstage concerts alongside the orchestra's Learning & Engagement activities and its regional programs.

The selected instrumentalists are as follows:

  • Liam Pilgrim (violin)
  • Lydia Sawires (violin)
  • Sebastian Coyne (viola)
  • Noah Lawrence (cello)
  • Rio Kawaguchi (double bass)
  • Kara Thorpe (flute)
  • Amy Clough (oboe)
  • Justin Wang (clarinet)
  • Jay Lee (bassoon)
  • Lucy Smith (horn)
  • Sophie Kukulies (trumpet)
  • Harrison Steele-Holmes (trombone)
  • Leah Columbine (percussion)

In 2026, the program will have expanded to train four young conductors alongside the instrumentalists. This year, the conductors are Aija Draguns, Panagiotis Karamanos, Neil Wang, and Jessica Zuk.

"I’m looking forward to meeting all the other Fellows, learning lots of new repertoire, and getting to know the Sydney Symphony musicians," said new Fellow Leah Columbine.

"I’m excited to improve on my instrument, which is very satisfying for me, and to work on something intensively – the way the fellowship program is structured really helps you become the best musician you can be. I’m also looking forward to having time to refine my skills in the practice room while improving my ensemble skills in both chamber and orchestral settings."

You can learn more about each individual player here.