The Australian Chamber Orchestra has announced the young musicians selected for its 2020 Emerging Artists program.

They are violinists Amanda Chen (22, from NSW), Phoebe Gardner (22, from NSW), Tim Yu (22, from VIC), and Leanne McGowan (18, from QLD), violist Dana Lee (19, from NSW), cellist Daniel Smith (26, from QLD), and double bassist Rohan Dasika (28, from VIC). The seven young string players will spend the year working closely with the ACO and will rehearse and perform as members of ACO Collective, the ACO’s education and regional touring ensemble.

2020 ACO Emerging Artist Phoebe Gardner. Photo © Julian Kingma

“I am really excited to work with my mentor, ACO violinist Aiko Goto, and other ACO musicians this year,” said Gardner. “Their absolute commitment to the music inspires me to be bold and push the boundaries both technically and artistically in my own music making.”

Established in 2007, the Emerging Artist program pairs each Emerging Artist with an ACO mentor, who provides them with private lessons and guidance throughout the year. They also receive opportunities to rehearse and perform with the ACO, perform chamber music concerts in concert venues including the Sydney Opera House,...