Sebastian Coyne is a passionate violist who started playing violin and piano at the age of six. From a young age, he was a part of Suzuki group classes, and performed contemporary music in open mic nights with his siblings.
He transitioned to viola early in his primary school years, and shortly after studied with Louise Ray, who inspired him to pursue music. He then furthered his studies in music by moving to the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), where he studied with Christopher Cartlidge and Gabrielle Halloran.
Seb was a finalist in both the MRC Bach Competition and the Strike a Chord Chamber Music Competitions in 2021. In the Strike a Chord final, he won awards for both his performances, where he featured as a pianist and violist. After his completion of high school, he was invited to premier his lockdown composition at the VCE top class concert series in the Melbourne Recital Centre.
During Seb’s first year at ANAM, he was invited to perform for Lawrence Power in a masterclass. He also played on a diverse variety of chamber groups from an oboe quartet to a string duo.
As an experienced orchestral musician, Seb has featured as Principal Viola of VCASS orchestra and the Melbourne Youth Orchestra. He has also been invited to perform casually with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Seb has participated in multiple Australian Youth Orchestra programs, winning both viola fellowships for the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, as well as principal piano of the AYO National Music Camp.
Seb is thrilled to be undertaking his second year at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and the University of Melbourne, under the tutelage of Caroline Henbest. He looks forward to collaborating with more ANAM and the University of Melbourne musicians in a wide variety of chamber and orchestral settings.
Seb currently plays a Paul Davies 2021 viola.
FROM: Melbourne, VIC. Lands of the Kulin Nation.
Recipient of the Georgina Grosvenor Scholarship generously supported by the Bokhara Foundation
Photo credit Pia Johnson