Opera Australia has confirmed the 2026 cohort of recipients for the Patricia H. Reid Orchestral Fellowships, a year-long professional development program for outstanding early career string musicians.

This year’s Fellows are violinists Fiona Qiu and Jia Gu, violist Ariel Postmus, cellist Rena Moore, and double bassist Alexandra Thompson.

The 2026 Patricia H. Reid Orchestral Fellows. Photo © Guy Davies Photography

The Patricia H. Reid Orchestral Fellowships – supported by the Patricia H. Reid Endowment – are designed to give emerging Australian and New Zealand string players hands-on experience in opera and ballet orchestral performance alongside seasoned professionals. The program immerses Fellows in a full calendar of mainstage productions with Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet at the Sydney Opera House over 12 months.

Participants receive mentoring from senior members of the Opera Australia Orchestra, gaining practical training in audition technique, performance preparation, chamber music and strategies for building a sustainable career in music.

“The Patricia H. Reid Fellowship offers a rare opportunity to develop the specialised skills required for professional opera and ballet performance,” said Katherine Lukey, Deputy Concertmaster and program mentor. “It’s an invaluable step for emerging musicians preparing to enter the orchestral field.”

The Fellowship is open to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents, who are available for the full 12-month performance schedule and resident in Sydney. Applications open each June, with annual auditions held in September.