Australia’s Queensland Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Principal First Violin 

Johnny van Gend has now started his role full time with the orchestra

The Australian violinist Johnny van Gend has recently joined the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) as its new Principal First Violin. 

For the last five years, he has been based in Germany, where he earned a Master’s degree at the Mozarteum University studying with Esther Hoppe. 

He was also part of the academy program at the Bavarian State Orchestra and was offered the chance to lead Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll with chief conductor Kirill Petrenko. In 2021, van Gend won a permanent position in Mannheim’s National Theater Orchestra. 

Picking up the violin at age five, van Gend first took lessons with Mary Nemet in his hometown of Toowoomba. He is also a former student of Michele Walsh at the Queensland Conservatorium, and of Dr. Robin Wilson at the Australian National Academy of Music, where he won its coveted Concerto Competition after performing with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

His other achievements include being a two-time finalist and multi-prize winner in the Kendall National Violin Competition. 

“He is an unbelievable talent, and we are incredibly lucky to have him,” the QSO posted on Instagram. “Please join us in welcoming Johnny into the Queensland Symphony Orchestra full time!”