Benjamin Northey joins Sydney Conservatorium of Music
-Celebrated Australian conductor appointed Professor of Conducting
Media Release Sydney, 30 June 2025
KEY POINTS
- Benjamin Northey appointed Professor of Conducting
- Principal Conductor of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Conductor in Residence at Sydney Symphony Orchestra to teach at Sydney Conservatorium of Music
- Teaching commences in Semester 1, 2026
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music proudly announces the appointment of renowned Australian conductor Benjamin Northey as the inaugural Professor of Conducting. The newly created role is designed to meet the growing demand for expert training and mentorship in the art of conducting for Australian music students. Following an international recruitment process, Professor Northey begins in November, bringing more than two decades of experience leading orchestras in Australia and around the world.
This appointment addresses a growing need to support the development of emerging conductors at all levels, to enter a highly competitive field – from undergraduate students and early-career professionals in orchestral organisations, to community-based conductors seeking advanced postgraduate training.
Professor Northey will be mentoring and teaching students while conducting ensembles on a project basis. He will also be instrumental in developing undergraduate and postgraduate conducting programs at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, further strengthening its reputation as Australia’s leading music institution.
Professor Northey will begin working with students in Semester 1, 2026, as part of a distinguished conducting team that includes Associate Professor Roger Benedict, Chief Conductor of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra, Dr Elizabeth Scott, lecturer in conducting and the director of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Choir, and Associate Professor Stephen Mould, Associate Professor in Conducting, Opera Studies and Répétiteurship and Artistic Director of the Conservatorium Opera.
Professor Northey said he is also excited to work with many of the 31 composers on staff at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, including Professor Matthew Hindson, Professor Liza Lim, Associate Professor Paul Stanhope, Carl Vine and Dr Natalie Williams.
Investing in cultural leadership
Professor Northey’s appointment is a significant moment for Australia’s next generation of musicians, offering students invaluable opportunities to develop leadership and artistry.
“I see this role as an investment in Australian cultural leadership,” Professor Northey said. “Conductors hold symbolic leadership positions in music, guiding ensembles and inspiring innovation. Strengthening conducting education will have a lasting impact on Australian music more broadly.”
Professor Northey is particularly passionate about teaching undergraduate music students who are stepping into conducting studies for the first time.
“Music teachers can change lives,” he said. “I’ve been the beneficiary of great teaching, which completely shaped my trajectory as a musician and artist. This role offers me the chance to help shape the future of Australian music, ensuring that the next generation understands and values music’s essential role in our society.”
Conducting as a career
As one of Australia’s leading conductors, Professor Northey brings unparalleled expertise to his new role.
Conducting is a highly competitive field, requiring years of study, practice, and international experience. While only a select few pursue conducting professionally, Professor Northey believes the study of conducting offers valuable lessons for all music students, particularly in developing musical leadership skills.
“The thing about conducting is that it’s a highly useful skill to have – even if your career takes a different path,” he said. “Whether conducting school ensembles or professional orchestras, strong conducting skills create better musical experiences for the ensemble and the audience. Investing in leadership at the student level ensures that future generations of Australian musicians benefit from strong artistic direction.”
Professor Northey will continue to split his time between Sydney and Melbourne, where his family resides. His new commitments with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music will see him spending a significant amount of time in Sydney throughout the year.
A distinguished career
Professor Northey is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after conductors in the Asia-Pacific region. He is currently Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor (Learning and Engagement) of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2025, he was appointed Conductor in Residence of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Director of the Australian Conducting Academy – a national training program for emerging conductors, administered by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
His career has seen him lead major Australian and international orchestras, including collaborations with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He has also worked alongside artists such as Maxim Vengerov, Wynton Marsalis, k.d. Lang, and Anoushka Shankar.
An advocate for Australian music, Professor Northey has premiered and recorded numerous works by First Nations composers, including Professor Deborah Cheetham Fraillon (who is the Elizabeth Todd Chair of Vocal Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music) and William Barton. His contributions to orchestral leadership and education will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Australian musicians.
A transformative appointment
Professor Anna Reid, Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, expressed her enthusiasm for Professor Northey’s arrival, highlighting his impact on Australian music education:
“Benjamin Northey is one of the most outstanding Australian conductors of his generation,” Professor Reid said. His leadership, artistry, and dedication to music education make him an extraordinary appointment for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His work with students, orchestras, and composers has profoundly shaped Australia’s musical landscape. We are thrilled to welcome him to our faculty, where his expertise will inspire the next generation of musicians and leaders.”
