Queensland’s Southern Cross Soloists has announced its Next Gen cohort for 2026. Now in its second decade, the Brisbane-based ensemble’s training initiative identifies and mentors exceptional young musicians, offering them professional development opportunities alongside established artists. 

The selected artists for 2026 are violinist Sophia Di Lucchio, violist Bridget Wegner, clarinettist Hamish Cassidy, flautist Amy Tashjian and percussionist William Elvin. 

Sophia Di Lucchio earned her Bachelor’s degree in music from the Queensland Conservatorium and is currently undertaking her Honours year. Bridget Wegner is a Townsville-born, Brisbane-based violist currently studying a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and Science degree at the University of Queensland (UQ), majoring in viola under the tutelage of Professor Patricia Pollett.

Clockwise: Amy Tashjian; William Elvin; Sophia Di Lucchio; Hamish Cassidy; Bridget Wegner (centre)

Hamish Cassidy has recently graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a Bachelor of Music Honours (Performance) under the tutelage of Prof. Paul Dean and Irit Silver. William Elvin studied at UQ, holds a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Bachelor of Music and was awarded the UQ Percussion Prize in 2020 and 2022.

Completing her studies with QSO Section Principal Alison Michell and Tim Munro,...