Artistic Family

Nicholas Carter – Chief Guest Conductor

Melbourne-born Nicholas Carter has emerged as one of the most riveting opera conductors, acclaimed for his arresting presence in the pit. Equally sought-after in the concert hall, Carter conducts a wide breadth of symphonic repertoire.

Benjamin Northey – Principal Guest Conductor

Renowned Australian conductor Benjamin Northey has enjoyed a long-standing and highly successful relationship with the MSO. Known for his ability to command an audience on stage, and off, in Benjamin regularly leads the Orchestra in exciting concerts at Hamer Hall and across Victoria.

Warren Trevelyan-Jones – MSO Chorus Director

Warren Trevelyan-Jones is regarded as one of the leading choral conductors and choir trainers in Australia, and was appointed Chorus Director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in September 2017. Warren Trevelyan-Jones is a co-founder of The Consort of Melbourne and, in 2001 with Dr Michael Noone, founded the Gramophone award-winning group Ensemble Plus Ultra. He is also an experienced singing teacher and qualified music therapist.

Karen Kyriakou – Artist in Residence, Learning & Engagement

Karen Kyriakou’s work as an educator, presenter, author and composer/arranger is underpinned by her passion for music’s unique capacity to unite and inspire. She works broadly in the area of music education, with students from kindergarten to tertiary level. With more than 25 years’ experience in the field, Karen is renowned for her ever-innovative approach to music education. Karen has led the MSO's ever-popular Jams for Juniors since its inception.

Andrew Aronowicz – 2026 Cybec Young Composer in Residence

Andrew Aronowicz is a composer and educator based in Naarm, Melbourne. He holds Master’s degrees in both composition and teaching, and enjoys working regularly with both professional and school-age classical musicians.

Andrew Aronowicz's position is supported by Cybec Foundation.

Lucy Blomfield – 2027 Cybec Young Composer in Residence

Passionate about contributing to and promoting the contemporary Australian music scene, Lucy Blomfield is a composer, singer, and educator who has studied with Australian composers including Damien Ricketson, Paul Stanhope and Liza Lim.

Lucy Blomfield's position is supported by Cybec Foundation.

Christian Li - Young Artist in Association

Christian Li has captivated audiences around the world since he became the youngest-ever Junior 1st Prize-winner of the 2018 Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition at the age of 10. In 2020 he became the youngest artist ever to sign with Decca Classics, and the youngest violinist to professionally record Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Aaron Wyatt – 2027 Featured Curator

Aaron is a violist, violinist, conductor, composer, programmer, and academic. In 2021 he became the first Indigenous Australian to conduct a state symphony orchestra in concert when he conducted the MSO at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Sir Andrew Davis CBE – Conductor Laureate

In memoriam: 2013-2024

Acclaimed conductor Sir Andrew Davis conducted virtually all the world’s major orchestras and opera companies during his distinguished career of over fifty years. Sir Andrew became MSO's second Conductor Laureate in 2020 following his highly successful tenure as Chief Conductor from 2013-2019.

Hiroyuki Iwaki AO – Conductor Laureate

In memoriam: 1974-2006

As the MSO’s longest serving conductor, Hiroyuki Iwaki began as Chief Conductor in 1974, and in 1990 was appointed as the MSO’s first Conductor Laureate, honouring his contribution to the Orchestra’s development. His dedication earned him many accolades including the renaming of the ABC Southbank studio to the Iwaki Auditorium in 1995. In 1996, to commend his contribution to Australia-Japan relations, he was promoted to an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia.