Benjamin Northey is the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor – Learning and Engagement of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He has previously held the posts of Associate Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (2010-2019), Resident Guest Conductor of the Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra (2002-2006) and Principal Guest Conductor of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (2007-2010).
Northey studied conducting at Finland’s Sibelius Academy and the Stockholm Royal College of Music returning home to Australia where he has become one of the most sought-after conductors in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2009, Northey was one of only three conductors worldwide to participate in the Allianz International Conductor’s Academy where he was mentored by Vladimir Jurowsky from London Philharmonic Orchestra and the distinguished German conductor Christof von Dohnányi.
Northey appears regularly as a guest conductor with all major Australian and NZ symphony orchestras and opera companies. His international appearances include concerts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, the Malaysian Philharmonic and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
He has collaborated with major artists Maxim Vengerov, Anne Sofie von Otter and Wynton Marsalis, and extended his reach across genres to work with Tim Minchin, Professor Brian Cox, Lalah Hathaway, Kurt Elling, Anoushka Shankar, James Morrison and Ben Folds.
Northey has been a driving force in the performance of orchestral music by Australian First Nations composers and performers. He has premiered multiple works of composers Deborah Cheetham and William Barton as well as collaborating with composer Paul Grabowsky and songmen Daniel and David Wilfred.
He has also been active in music education and training through concerts and workshops for the Melbourne, West Australian and Sydney Youth Orchestras, the Australian National Academy of Music, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music & Monash University.
Northey’s many prizes include the 2001 Symphony Australia Young Conductor of the Year, the prestigious 2010 Melbourne Prize Outstanding Musician’s Award and the 2002 Brian Stacey Memorial Scholarship. In 2018 he was voted Limelight Magazine’s Australian Artist of the Year.
He has previously been a board member of the Australian Music Centre. He is also the Artistic Director of the Hush Foundation which produces original music for therapeutic use in healthcare settings. His numerous recordings can be found on ABC Classics.
