Adelaide-born violinist Lynda Latu cannot remember a time when music wasn’t part of her life. Born into a musical family, Lynda began learning the violin at four years of age with her grandmother, Jill Folauhola. In 2018, Lynda graduated from Marryatville High School where she flourished in the Special Interest Music Program. Her former teachers include Keith Crellin and William Hennessy.
A former concertmaster of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra (2018-19), Lynda was also First Violinist of its associated ensemble, the Mahogany String Quartet. She toured with the Quartet around regional South Australia, delivering school concerts. This is where Lynda’s infatuation with chamber music began.
Lynda is a recipient of many awards at the Adelaide Eisteddfod. S,he placed in equal second place at the Recitals Australia Spring Recital Finals Series in 2018 and was the recipient of the Gladys Lloyd Thomas Prize for Violin at the Elder Conservatorium in 2019.
As a member of the Lark Quartet, Lynda was featured in the Elder Conservatorium’s Top of the Class concert. She has played as a soloist with the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, performing the Bruch Violin Concerto. In early 2020, Lynda attended the Adam Summer School in New Zealand, where she was tutored by the New Zealand String Quartet, and Diedre Irons. In 2021, Lynda collaborated with Sydney-based composer, Ben Robinson on a new piece Stepping Out for the ANAM Set.
As a casual musician, Lynda has performed with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. She has played with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra as part of ANAM's side-by-side projects.
In 2023, Lynda is continuing her third year of training at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), training with Zoë Black.
FROM: Adelaide, SA. Lands of the Kaurna people.
Photo by Pia Johnson