We’re delighted to share the news of two ANAM alumni violinists who have been successfully appointed orchestral fellowships in our International Academy Partnerships program.
After rigorous auditions, Josephine Chung (alum 2022) is the latest recipient of the ANAM Eva Besen AO Scholarship to attend the Karajan-Akademie of the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Open to current musicians and ANAM alumni under the age of 27, the scholarship facilitates a two-year position for an outstanding violinist or cellist to attend the prestigious Karajan-Akademie in Berlin, honing their orchestral skills in classes and individual lessons, as well as performing alongside members of the Berliner Philharmoniker in rehearsals and concerts.
Josephine will commence her position on 1 September 2025, receiving mentorship from First Concertmaster of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Noah Bendix-Balgley. Previous recipients of the ANAM Karajan-Akademie position include violinists Harry Bennetts (alum 2016, now Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Associate Concertmaster), Riley Skevington (alum 2017, now West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s Associate Concertmaster), and Harry Ward (alum 2020, now Section First Violin with the Berliner Philharmoniker). The most recent recipient, Phoebe Gardner (alum 2021), will complete her two-year position shortly and commence a contract position with the Staatskapelle Dresden from September 2025.
Originally from Sydney, Josephine attended ANAM in 2017 for her first year of training, departing in September of that year to attend undergraduate study at the Curtis Institute of Music in the US under Pamela Frank and Arnold Steinhardt (flying back a few months later in November to perform with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as a finalist in ANAM’s Concerto Competition). After her US studies, Josephine returned for two further years of ANAM training in 2021 and 2022 with Dr Robin Wilson. Whilst at ANAM, and up until last year, Josephine was a member of the award-winning ANAM alumni ensemble Affinity Quartet, winners of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition in 2023.
Josephine is currently based in Berlin where she has spent the last 12 months studying at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, with Belcea Quartet’s violinist (and also ANAM alum) Suyeon Kang. Earlier this year, Josephine was one of six alumni representing ANAM at the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy, and was awarded Second Prize and the Max Reger Prize at the Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition for Violin in Germany.
“I am humbled by the incredibly generous support of Naomi Milgrom AC, who has allowed me the opportunity to embark on this next chapter of my musical life,” says Josephine. “Being able to witness the music-making in Germany these last few months has already been an entirely transformative experience for me, and I have a deep admiration for the musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker in particular.”
“I owe everything to a wonderful base of support, both in Australia and here in Berlin – in particular, my teacher, Suyeon Kang – who continues to simultaneously support, inspire and challenge me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.”
The second celebrated appointment is violinist Harry Egerton (alum 2024), who is the latest recipient of the Jane Hansen AO Scholarship to the Hermann Levi Academy of the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, in Munich. This Scholarship enables an ANAM musician or alum under the age of 26 to undertake two years of training with one of Germany’s oldest opera and ballet orchestras, receiving mentorship from members of the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, diving in-depth into operatic and ballet repertoire, from classical to contemporary, and performing in rehearsals and productions alongside professionals.
Since the Academy was founded in 2002, countless graduates have gone on to professional orchestral careers in concert halls and opera houses all around Europe. Previous recipients of the ANAM Scholarship include Johnny van Gend (alum 2019, formerly Section Violin in the Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, and now Principal First Violin of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra), and Mana Ohashi (alum 2018), who is currently performing on contract with the Bayerisches Staatsorchester following her two-year Academy position.
Harry trained at ANAM for nearly three years with Sophie Rowell and Dr Robin Wilson, and from September 2024, he has been undertaking postgraduate study at the Mozart University Salzberg, Austria, studying with Lily Francis. He was also selected as one of six Emerging Artists with the Australian Chamber Orchestra earlier this year.
“I am hugely excited to be participating in the Hermann Levi Academy,” says Harry. “Immersion amongst the incredible musicians of the Bayerische Staatsorchester is a wonderful opportunity for the development of orchestral skills and overall musicianship. It will be greatly inspiring for me to be able learn and discover as much as I can from within such a fantastic ensemble.”
“The connection ANAM has fostered with the Bayerische Staatsorchester is truly amazing,” Harry reflects. “It’s an incredible collaborative achievement that there is a place held in the Hermann Levi Academy for an ANAM musician or alum. I am very thankful to be taking part!”
We congratulate both Josephine and Harry on their successful appointments, and we look forward to following their musical journeys with great interest.
Words by Laura Panther, Alumni Manager
Open larger view
Open larger view