Melbourne Conservatorium of Music appoints Sophie Rowell as Associate Professor in Violin

Sophie Rowell has had an extensive performing career as a soloist, chamber musician and principal orchestral violinist both in Australia and abroad.

After two years as Principal Second Violin of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (2013–14), Sophie was appointed Co-Concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO, 2015–2023), and since 2023 is the Artistic Director and Leader of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (MCO). Sophie has also played in principal violin positions with orchestras including the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and the Vancouver, Sydney, Adelaide and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras.

After winning the ABC Young Performer of the Year Award in 2000, Sophie founded the Tankstream Quartet, which won string quartet competitions in Cremona and Osaka. The quartet studied in Germany with the Alban Berg Quartet, and moved back to Australia in 2006 when they were appointed as the Australian String Quartet (ASQ). During the six seasons with Sophie as First Violin (2006–11), the ASQ performed and recorded at chamber music festivals all over the world.

Sophie studied with Beryl Kimber in her hometown of Adelaide, then with Alice Waten in Sydney.  An experienced teacher herself, Sophie has taught at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide, and Monash University. She has been the Head of Chamber Music (Strings) at ANAM of Music since 2020.

Sophie said she is thrilled to be joining the academic staff at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music on a full-time appointment. “I look forward to building on the Conservatorium’s rich history and contributing to its very exciting future,” she said.

“The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is a vibrant hub so vital to Melbourne’s artistic and cultural life. I am honoured to join the esteemed faculty and am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the students who are our future of Australian music.”

Conservatorium Director Professor Richard Kurth said: “We are so delighted to appoint Sophie to an important new role as Associate Professor of Violin and Chamber Music. Through her wide-ranging and accomplished artistic practice, Sophie is a paragon of artistic versatility and excellence.

“Her integrity and commitment to imaginative performances are universally respected, and along with her dedication to teaching, make her an ideal role model and mentor for emerging artists. She embodies Australian musical excellence at the highest international standards.”