Classical Music News

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Tutti First Violin

August 8, 2024

2 MIN READ

Turkish-Australian violinist Sercan Danis will step into the role

Turkish-Australian violinist Sercan Danis has been appointed to the first violin section of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO). He has been a regular contract player with the orchestra since 2022.

Born in Turkey, Danis first started learning the violin at the age of four from Selahattin Yunkus in Istanbul. By his eight birthday, he had won First Prize in the National Rotary Competition Young Musician of the Year.

Danis studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he was named the most outstanding student in his year and received a full scholarship. His teachers there were Alice Waten, Goetz Richter, and Wanda Wilkomirska. Danis also furthered his studies with Emanuel Borok at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

As a chamber musician, Danis was a founding member of the Altius Quartet. Between 2011 and 2014, the group won the Silver Medal Prize at the 2014 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (USA), First Prize at the 2013 Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize at the 2014 Coltman Chamber Music Competition.

Previously, Danis has served as the Associate Concertmaster of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

"Congratulations and welcome to our new Tutti First Violin, Sercan Danis!" wrote the SSO on social media. "Affectionately known as Serg, Danis was previously Associate Concertmaster of the Tasmania Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Australian World Orchestra on a national tour."

"He appeared with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra regularly across 2017–2019 before returning on contract since the reopening of the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall in 2022 — and now we’re so excited to welcome him to the Orchestra permanently."