Sydney Youth Orchestras Names New Chief Conductor

Australian-German conductor Stanley Dodds will step into the role

The Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO) has recently named the Australian-German violinist and conductor Stanley Dodds as their new chief conductor. He will step into the role in December 2023, on the eve of the orchestra's 50th anniversary season.

Dodds grew up in Australia and took up the violin and the piano at the age of four. He attended a specialist music high school in Linz, Austria, before continuing his studies at the Lucerne Conservatorium in Switzerland. He then took up a position in the Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and was offered a full place in the orchestra in 1994.

He also studied conducting in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, with the renowned Finnish teacher Jorma Panula exerting a particular influence on his technique. Dodds made his conducting debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in February 2020, and since then has appeared with a number of other orchestras, including the Hamburger Symphoniker and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

He is presently the principal conductor of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, which presents ten sold-out concerts each year.

"We are thrilled to welcome Stanley Dodds as our Chief Conductor, of The Sydney Youth Orchestra," said Mia Patoulios, the CEO of Sydney Youth Orchestras. "His exceptional musicianship, wealth of experience, and genuine commitment to mentoring young musicians make him the ideal choice to lead our talented youth orchestra."

"I know our young musicians will benefit greatly from being connected to a conductor and musician who has experienced much of what they aspire to. We look forward to the exciting musical journey ahead under his guidance."

"I am truly excited to join the Sydney Youth Orchestra as their Chief Conductor," Dodds said. "It is a privilege to work with these exceptionally talented young musicians and help them reach their full potential."

"It is my passion to nurture creativity, discipline, and teamwork, and I am excited to collaborate with SYO in creating extraordinary musical experiences," he added. "It also means a lot to me after so many years away to be returning to Australia to become actively engaged in the musical life there. I’ve always called Australia home."