The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has announced the permanent appointment of three musicians within its ranks. Principal Clarinet Olli Leppäniemi, Principal Second Violin Lerida Delbridge and Tutti Second Violin Robert Smith have all now taken on permanent positions with the orchestra.

Olli Leppäniemi, Lerida Delbridge and Robert Smith. Photos courtesy of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Olli Leppäniemi is a Finnish clarinettist who also holds the position of Principal Clarinet in the Finnish Chamber Orchestra. He has held the same position with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra.

He has performed with groups including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Danish National Symphony Orchestra, among others. He is the Artistic Director of Crusell Music Festival, a celebration of woodwind music across a variety of genres.

Lerida Delbridge joined the SSO in 2013 as Assistant Concertmaster. She has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (a member from 2009–2012), the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonic, Orchestra Victoria and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Undertaking studies across Europe and North America, Delbridge is also the...