Australian Conducting Academy
We all have to start somewhere. Australian Conducting Academy is a national program fostering the next generation of musical talent. Together with the country's professional orchestras, our goal is to nurture and support emerging conductors, giving them opportunities to thrive and ensuring industry sustainability.
Caroline Sharpen
“We’re so pleased to announce that the Australian Conducting Academy is growing!
The TSO is incredibly proud to house this program in partnership with our colleagues - the professional symphony orchestras of Australia. By coming together as a network, all orchestras are making a contribution to increasing podium contact hours and providing a broad experience of professional conducing. The program director is Johannes Fritzsch, Principal Conductor of the QSO, Principal Guest Conductor of the TSO, one of Australia’s busiest and most admired conductors.
The expansion of the Australian Conducting Academy has been made possible by the support of the Ian Potter Foundation who shares our collective vision of creating clear professional pathways for musicians aiming to conduct our professional companies. A measure of our success will be the number of Australian conductors standing on our podiums and those across the world in years to come.”
– Caroline Sharpen, CEO
Johannes Fritzsch
“It is with great excitement and anticipation that we are able to present the new, expanded Australian Conducting Academy. The program presents a unique opportunity for aspiring conductors from Australia and New Zealand to learn from experienced orchestral leaders and to have the chance to work with all major orchestras in our part of the world. The program spans across two years and I am extremely grateful to the Ian Potter Foundation and the orchestras for their strong commitment, enabling us to continue and grow this high-level training program.
I am looking forward to meeting the selected group for the 2023-2024 program at the first module in January 2023 in Hobart and to offer my guidance and support over the following two years.”
– Johannes Fritzsch, ACA Director
Sam Weller
Nathaniel Griffiths
Ingrid Martin
Carlo Antonioli
Leonard Weiss
Highlights of 2023-2024 Program
- Two-year program (2023 and 2024)
- Podium time for participants with QSO, SSO, MSO, TSO, ASO, WASO, OV
- Mentoring with highly experienced conductors with a real interest in conductor training and pedagogy
- Stipend to be paid to each participant of $15,000 per annum
- Travel and Accommodation for participants provided for each module
- Gender balanced selection panels
Module 1
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Mentored by Johannes Fritzsch
Hobart, Tasmania
January 22 - 25, 2023
Module 2
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Mentored by Asher Fisch
Perth, WA
March 13 - 14, 2023
Module 3
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Mentored by Johannes Fritzsch
Brisbane, QLD
Dates to be announced
Module 4
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Mentored by Ben Northey
Melbourne, VIC
August 14 - 17, 2023
Module 5
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Mentored by Mark Wigglesworth
Adelaide, SA
September 18 - 19, 2023
Module 6
Orchestra Victoria
Melbourne, VIC
Sept 29 – Oct 3, 2023
Module 7
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Mentored by Eivind Aadland
Hobart, Tasmania
November 14 - 15, 2023
Module 8
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Mentor and dates to be announced
Sydney, NSW
