Olivia is currently in her third year at ANAM, under the tutelage of Adam Chalabi and Zoë Black. Olivia completed a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, where she studied with Janet Davies and was awarded the Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance.
Olivia was born into a musical family and started learning violin with her father, George Kowalik, from the age of four. Growing up in a musical household, she always knew that music was the path that she wanted to take in life. Olivia aims to follow the footsteps of her older brothers who are in the Orava Quartet, one of Australia’s leading ensembles.
Olivia’s passion for performance has grown, especially in orchestral playing. She was a member of Sydney Youth Orchestra from 2018-2022 and was concertmaster in their flagship orchestra in 2022. She has held principal and associate positions in the Australian Youth Orchestra, Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, and L’Estro Armonico String Orchestra, and has played with Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra and Ensemble Apex.
Highlights of Olivia’s time at ANAM include participating in a masterclass with James Ehnes and performing Barber’s Violin Concerto with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as a finalist for ANAM’s Concerto Competition in 2025.
Olivia is a proud member of the Osmana Quartet, formed at ANAM in August 2024, along with Jasmine Milton, Hanna Wallace (viola) and Max Wung (cello). Osmana had the privilege to perform at UKARIA Chamberfest alongside Brooklyn Rider, in ANAM’s Chamber Music Festival Harmonies Du Soir performing Debussy’s String Quartet in 2025, and at the Bendigo Chamber Music Festival, 2026.
Olivia’s recent interests in repertoire have included early 20th century music ranging from French impressionism to mid-century Russian music. She also enjoys listening to and playing works by Polish composers, such as Szymanowski and Lutosławski, as a tribute to her Polish heritage. When not playing violin, Olivia loves to paint and to draw.
FROM: NSW. Lands of the Dharawal people.
Olivia is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Jeanne McMullin, Jeanne and Frank Pleavin, Rosalind Price.
Olivia plays a Pressenda 1849 Violin 'Richard Pollett' on loan to ANAM from Janet Holmes à Court AC.
Photo by Pia Johnson