copewilliamsfoundation.com.au
The Cope-Williams Arts Foundation is committed to providing a supportive and collaborative environment for talented classical musicians to thrive. By nurturing the talent of these promising young musicians, we are helping to secure the future of classical music and ensuring that it remains a vital and vibrant art form for generations to come.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Academy
Tuesday 29 September 2026
MSO Academy 2026: Crystalline Constellation
Providing young instrumentalists a vital final bridge to a successful career, the MSO Academy is an exciting opportunity for post-graduate musicians. During the year-long program, Academy members perform in Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concerts, receive mentoring from MSO musicians and participate in a full range of professional development activities designed to prepare them for a career in music. They also prepare and present chamber music performances featuring a curated selection of works for the ensemble and special guest artists.
The 2026 MSO Academy represents the fifth cohort of brilliant young musicians to participate in this unique program -
Jamie Miles - viola
Georgia White - clarinet
Hayden Burge - bassoon
Jacob Fenchel - horn
They are joined by established Melbourne musicians -
Monica Curro - violin
Dan Smith - cello
Stefan Cassomenos - piano
This program features the exquisitely suave Dohnányi Sextet Op. 37, and each Academy musician in a duo with Stefan Cassomenos, culminating in a world premiere Septet by celebrated Melbourne composer Kym Alexandra Dillon, commissioned especially for this event with the enlightened support of the Cope-Williams Arts Foundation.
The Kelvin Club
Genesis Baroque
Thursday 29 October 2026
Melbourne’s critically acclaimed chamber ensemble, Genesis Baroque, comprises some of Australia’s preeminent historically-informed musicians, and the ensemble is known for its intimate, heartfelt, dynamic performances. Described as having “a rich sonorous sound, and beautifully nuanced mutual understanding”, the ensemble has secured a dedicated following in Melbourne and across Victoria, and on the airwaves via live and studio recordings on ABC Classic.
Genesis Baroque proudly presents its two brilliant inaugural emerging artists, Justice Karol (harpsichord) and Stella Horvath (soprano) in a stunning program of Baroque chamber works, performing alongside the ensemble’s Artistic Director, Jen Kirsner (violin) Principal Music Director, Donald Nicolson (harpsichord), and Principal Cellist, Josephine Vains. Justice and Stella are both generously supported by the Cope-Williams Arts Foundation, principal supporters of Genesis Baroque’s NextGen Emerging Artists Program.
Kelvin Club
Aeon at The Kelvin Club (CANCELLED)
Friday 7 August 2026
ÆON, the Antipodean Ensemble of the New Age, is a community-driven musical collective representing a bold step forward in orchestral chamber performance. Founded in November 2023 by Lily Higson-Spence and Molly Collier-O'Boyle, the ensemble both embraces and challenges the traditional boundaries of classical music through innovation, accessibility, and a commitment to shared artistic leadership. Rooted in a mission to foster unique musical experiences that connect communities and inspire joy, ÆON is more than a collective — it is a movement.
www.aeonorch.com
The Kelvin Club
An afternoon with Joshua Han
Saturday 20 June 2026
Joshua's virtuosity and sensitive interpretations of the Romantic and Modern masterpieces will be featured in this stunning performanbce in the warm salon ambience of Melbourne's Savage Club
Melbourne Savage Club
Louise Turnbull in concert
Friday 27 March 2026
We are thrilled to introduce Louise Turnbull a 20-year-old violinist from Melbourne now studying at the Royal Academy of Music London.
Louise graduated from the Australian National Academy of Music and in 2023 and was awarded the St Silas Award for the best first-year recital.
In 2025, Louise was selected as an Australian Chamber Orchestra Emerging Artist and has since performed extensively with the orchestra. Louise is to be accompanied by Elyane Laussade guaranteeing a magnificent performance.
Programme
Beethoven Sonata no. 5 in F Major op. 25, “Spring”
Lili Boulanger Nocturne-Intermezzo- Cortège
Brahms Scherzo in C Minor op.5,“Sonatensatz”
Ysaye Poème Elégiaque op. 12
Sarasate Carmen Fantasy op. 25
Louise plays on a 1775 Antonio Gragnani violin generously on loan from the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
The Kelvin Club
Genesis Baroque (CANCELLED)
Friday 5 December 2025
Genesis Baroque proudly presents its two brilliant inaugural emerging artists, Justice Karol (harpsichord) and Stella Horvath (soprano) in a stunning program of Baroque chamber works, performing alongside the ensemble’s Artistic Director, Jen Kirsner (violin) Principal Music Director, Donald Nicolson (harpsichord), and Principal Cellist, Josephine Vains. Justice and Stella are both generously supported by the Cope-Williams Arts Foundation, principal supporters of Genesis Baroque’s NextGen Emerging Artists Program.
Kelvin Club