In the third episode of Passing Notes, we sit down with Australian oboist Joshua Oates. Now Principal Oboe with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and regular soloist and chamber musician, Josh has quickly become recognised as one of Australia’s foremost wind players.

This episode explores Josh’s journey as a student both in Australia and overseas, challenges he has faced in adopting his primary instrument later than many of his peers, and how he’s found his home in the symphony orchestra.

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Created by harpist-composer and 2026 AYO Media & Communication Fellow, Passing Notes is a podcast which aims to demystify, debunk and explore the diversity of a career in classical music performance.

As young performers in Australia, there can often be the idea of a ‘right way’ to go about pursing a successful career in classical performance—a formula or ‘golden path’ which young musicians might feel pressure to conform to. Throughout this miniseries, we learn how in reality, no two pathways look the same. By entering the worlds of some of Australia’s leading performers and artistic thinkers, we hear about what their journey has looked like navigating a career in classical performance.

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Music included in this episode:

“Moss Grotto” from Hollow Knight: Silksong (Original Soundtrack) by Christopher Larkin (2025).

“Menuet” No. 3 from Le tombeau de Couperin, M.68 by Maurice Ravel (1917). David Stanhope, conductor; Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, (2008).

In the second episode of Passing Notes, we sit down with Australian violinist Sophie Rowell. Currently Artistic Director of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Sophie has firmly carved her legacy as one of Australia’s foremost artistic leaders, having previously held positions in the Australian String Quartet and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster.

The episode explores Sophie’s extraordinary journey across her career as a renowned chamber musician, concertmaster, and now artistic director, how professional life in Australia has compared to her experiences working overseas, and the ways her career has shaped her passion for teaching.

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Created by harpist-composer and 2026 AYO Media & Communication Fellow, Passing Notes is a podcast which aims to demystify, debunk and explore the diversity of a career in classical music performance.

As young performers in Australia, there can often be the idea of a ‘right way’ to go about pursing a successful career in classical performance—a formula or ‘golden path’ which young musicians might feel pressure to conform to. Throughout this miniseries, we learn how in reality, no two pathways look the same. By entering the worlds of some of Australia’s leading performers and artistic thinkers, we hear about what their journey has looked like navigating a career in classical performance.

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Music included in this episode:

“Assez vif, très rythmé” No. 2 from String Quartet in F Major, M.35 by Maurice Ravel (1903). Australian String Quartet (ASQ: Sophie Rowell, violin; Anne Horton, violin; Sally Boud, viola; Rachel Johnston, cello), (2012).

“Andantino, doucement expressif” No. 3 from String Quartet in G Minor, Op.10, L.85 by Claude Debussy (1893). Australian String Quartet (ASQ: Sophie Rowell, violin; Anne Horton, violin; Sally Boud, viola; Rachel Johnston, cello), (2012).

In the first episode of Passing Notes, we sit down with Australian harpist Jessica Fotinos. Now Principal Harp with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Jessica’s artistic practice has taken her across the globe, living and performing in Germany, completing residencies in Canada and France, and even joining a new orchestra in China as their first ever Principal Harpist.

The episode dives into Jessica’s experiences developing her craft here in Australia, her interest in contemporary music, living and working overseas, and what things have been like returning home.

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Created by harpist-composer and 2026 AYO Media & Communication Fellow, Passing Notes is a podcast which aims to demystify, debunk and explore the diversity of a career in classical music performance.

As young performers in Australia, there can often be the idea of a ‘right way’ to go about pursing a successful career in classical performance—a formula or ‘golden path’ which young musicians might feel pressure to conform to. Throughout this miniseries, we learn how in reality, no two pathways look the same. By entering the worlds of some of Australia’s leading performers and artistic thinkers, we hear about what their journey has looked like navigating a career in classical performance.

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Music included in this episode:

“Composition with Red, Yellow and Blue” No. 7 from Mondrian Interiors by Stuart Greenbaum (2007). Jessica Fotinos, solo harp; musicians of the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), (2016).

“Vienna, 1886” No. 3 from The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Brett Dean (2006). Frank Peter Zimmermann, solo violin; Jonathan Nott, conductor; Sydney Symphony Orchestra, (2013).

9 Candles for Dark Nights by Stuart Greenbaum (2005). Jessica Fotinos, harp, (2016).

“Composition Chequerboard, Dark Colours” No. 5 from Mondrian Interiors by Stuart Greenbaum (2007). Musicians of the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), (2016).

In 'Between Worlds', ACO Principal Cellist Timo-Veikko “Tipi” Valve joins AYO Momentum Ensemble for two concerts this November at UKARIA in the Adelaide Hills and ACO on the Pier in Sydney. In conversation with Momentum Ensemble violinist and AYO Media and Communication Fellow Julia Hill, Tipi shares how the program reflects his journey between Finland and Australia. Featuring works like Jaako Kuusisto’s 'Wiima', Tipi hopes to transport audiences to the stark beauty of a Finnish winter while celebrating Australia’s open, creative musical culture that has shaped his artistry over 20 years. He discusses the collaborative nature of directing from the cello, curating pieces to spark fresh perspectives, and encourages young musicians to find their own voice and embrace freedom in music-making. Tipi looks forward to learning from AYO musicians during this exciting week of discovery and performance.

AYO Momentum ensemble musicians, violinist Donica Tran and cellist Erna Lai, sat down with Michael Clarke on ABC North Queensland Breakfast.

Donica and Erna are members of AYO's Momentum Ensemble, who performed in two concerts at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville.

Originally aired Wednesday July 31, 2024.

The Question Of Privilege: In Conversation With Lauren McCormick and Zinia Chan

In her own words, Maddie Hammond is a Perth-based ‘composer, trumpet player, music educator, and above all music enthusiast’. In January 2023, Maddie was one of three participants of the Words About Music program at AYO National Music Camp.

During camp, (between writing program notes, devising blog posts, presenting at concerts and creating content for the annual camp calendar) Maddie conducted several interviews which she compiled into three episodes for the AYO podcast.

New Music Part 2: In Conversation with Anne Cawrse, Phillip Cullen and Nick Kyrikakis

In her own words, Maddie Hammond is a Perth-based ‘composer, trumpet player, music educator, and above all music enthusiast’. In January 2023, Maddie was one of three participants of the Words About Music program at AYO National Music Camp.

During camp, (between writing program notes, devising blog posts, presenting at concerts and creating content for the annual camp calendar) Maddie conducted several interviews which she compiled into three episodes for the AYO podcast.

New Music Part 1: In Conversation with Conductors Umberto Clerici and James Judd

In her own words, Maddie Hammond is a Perth-based ‘composer, trumpet player, music educator, and above all music enthusiast’. In January 2023, Maddie was one of three participants of the Words About Music program at AYO National Music Camp.

During camp, (between writing program notes, devising blog posts, presenting at concerts and creating content for the annual camp calendar) Maddie conducted several interviews which she compiled into three episodes for the AYO podcast.

The full collection of favourite songs and chants from our mentors, designed for use with the accompanying song sheets and lesson ideas from Resource Book 1 of Music in Me (formerly the National Music Teacher Mentoring Program).

The full collection of favourite songs and chants from our mentors, designed for use with the accompanying song sheets and lesson ideas from Resource Book 1 of Music in Me (formerly the National Music Teacher Mentoring Program).