The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) has announced the seven young musicians selected for its 2026 Emerging Artists program. In its 21st year, the program is connecting talented emerging musicians with the ACO for one-to-one mentorship as well as professional performance opportunities.

The selected musicians are violinists Olivia Kowalik, Benjamin Lam, Lydia Sawires and Theonie Wang; violist Sebastian Coyne, cellist Max Wung and double bassist Harrison Young.

Max Wung, Harrison Young, Theonie Wang, Benjamin Lam, Lydia Sawires, Sebastian Coyne and Olivia Kowalik.

Cellist Max Wung has performed with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Fremantle Chamber Orchestra and Vienna Pops Orchestra, and he hosted a fundraising concert for the victims of the 2019–2020 Australia Bushfires, raising more than $3,000.

Harry Young is currently studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He was a 2025 Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellow and has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.

As a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Benjamin Lam has regularly performed in Australian Youth Orchestra programs and has performed as Concertmaster for the Sydney Conservatorium orchestras. As a recipient of the Henderson’s Travellers Scholarship, Lam has travelled internationally as a violinist and violist.

“The opportunity to explore chamber music at a professional level with friends and mentors is such an exciting and fulfilling prospect,” Lam said.

Another ANAM student, Theonie Wang, was awarded first place in the Young Instrumentalists Prize when she performed as a soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra at the age of 16. She has also performed as a soloist with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra.

Violinst Lydia Sawires has participated in programs with the Australian Youth Orchestra, Sydney Youth Orchestra and Ensemble Apex programs. Sawires also performs Arabic, tango and contemporary chamber music.

Sebastian Coyne is an ANAM graduate and has won awards as both a pianist and violist. During his time at ANAM he performed Virgil Thompson’s Sonata da Chiesa during its 2025 Chamber Music Festival and the Schubert Sring Quintet with Jakub Jakowicz, amongst other major works. He is a member of the Cedar Collective.

Olivia Kowalik studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is currently at the Australian National Academy of Music. She has played with Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra and Ensemble Apex and has held principal and associate positions in the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra.

The Emerging Artists will perform in the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s From Winter’s Stillness, touring 25 July – 9 August.