Natalia Carter – conductor

Natalia Carter, a conductor and pianist from Brisbane who is currently based in Melbourne, is the recipient of the Zelman Symphony's inaugural Assistant Conductor Scholarship.

She is studying a Master of Music (Performance Teaching) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and, through this degree, Natalia is focussing on conducting and piano while furthering her music teaching education.

In February this year, the 23-year-old conducted the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra under the guidance of Benjamin Northey in the Australian Conducting Academy workshop. Last year, she won the University of Melbourne conducting prize and was invited to conduct the exceptional student orchestras at the State Music Camp. Previously, in her Bachelor of Music (Honours), she was awarded the University of Queensland conducting prize, which involved a mentorship with Maestro Dane Lam. Throughout this opportunity, she held the position of assistant conductor to Maestro Lam on all projects with the University of Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

In Brisbane, Natalia was the resident conductor of the UQ Sketch ensemble who primarily focussed on premiering new Australian works. She was also appointed resident conductor of the Queensland University of Technology Orchestra and Concert Band. She has guest-conducted the University of Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony, the Orchestra Concertino and The Australian Voices.

Natalia studied piano under the tutelage of Dr Anna Grinberg for four years. In that time, she gave yearly recitals that featured music by women, under-represented composers, and she even premiered several new works. She is now under the tutelage of A/prof Jerry Wong, preparing for another year of performances.