The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has today announced that the Germany-based Australian violinist Natalie Chee will be its next Concertmaster, commencing January 2026.

“Needless to say, I feel extremely honoured,” said Chee. “It is hugely exciting for me to be coming home to Australia after so many years in Europe and I am looking forward to sharing the stage with you all and making some incredible music together very soon.”

Natalie Chee. Photo © Duncan Smith

Chee takes over from Dale Bartrop, who stepped down in 2023 after a decade in the chair. Tair Khisambeev is the current Acting Associate Concertmaster, and Anne-Marie Johnson is the Acting Assistant Concertmaster.

The role is a very familiar one to the Sydney-born violinist. Since 2019, Chee has held the position of Concertmaster of Cologne’s Gürzenich Orchestra and Camerata Salzberg (2000–2009), the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Stuttgart (2009–2019) and served in a guest capacity for several other European orchestras, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She has played with the Australian World Orchestra since its debut in 2011, where she has also held the position of Co-Concertmaster.