Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Concertmaster

Australian violinist Natalie Chee will return home from her post as leader of the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne to take up the role

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has announced that the Australian violinist Natalie Chee will serve as its next Concertmaster, and she will step into the role in January 2026. She succeeds Dale Bartrop, who spent ten years leading the MSO and stepped down in 2023.

Chee is currently Concertmaster of the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne, and she has also previously led Camerata Salzberg (2000–2009) and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (2009–2019). In addition, she is in demand as a guest concertmaster for ensembles including the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Chee is also Co-Concertmaster of the Australian World Orchestra, a role she has held since 2011.

Hailing originally from Sydney, Chee studied with Alex Todicescu and made concerto appearances with all of Australia's major orchestras while she was still a teenager. She went on to receive a Soloist Diploma in Bern, Switzerland, where her teacher was Prof. Igor Ozim.

Upon completing her studies, Chee co-founded the Tiramisu Ensemble and the Mozart Piano Quartet. With these groups, she toured North and South America, Europe, and Australia, and made several recordings with prominent labels in Switzerland and Germany.

"We are thrilled that Natalie Chee will be joining the MSO Artistic family as our next Concertmaster," Richard Wigley, MSO CEO. "Natalie has been Concertmaster of the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne (Germany) since 2019 and a regular Guest Concertmaster with significant orchestras across Europe. It's wonderful for the MSO that Natalie will be joining us in our great city."

"Natalie is a fabulous musician and a fantastic colleague who has earned the admiration and respect from orchestras around the world," said Jaime Martín, the MSO's Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor. "Ever since she first worked with the MSO I felt a very strong musical connection; now I look forward to sharing this collaboration with our audience both in Melbourne, Australia and abroad."

"I am thrilled that I will soon be joining you as your leader," Chee said. "Needless to say, I feel extremely honored. 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."