Australian World Orchestra to Welcome Katie Yap in Concert, 10/2-4

Twenty three year old violist, Katie Yap, joins 105 of Australia's finest classical musicians under the baton of Zubin Mehta when she performs with the Australian World Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall next month. A student at the National Academy of Music (ANAM), Yap has been selected as the AWO Academy student which offers musicians on the cusp of a professional career an opportunity to perform with the AWO 'super-group'.

Artistic Director Alexander Briger said "This is an amazing opportunity to sit amongst Australia's own wonderful professional musicians, to learn from them in so many ways and perform under some of the world's top conductors. Katie will sit next to Toby Lea, PrincipAl Viola of the Vienna Philharmonic, and play for a week under Zubin Mehta-what an incredible experience for a young musician. The Australian World Orchestra vision is not just about performance but also about education and the passing on of knowledge to our next generation."

Yap said "To be offered the chance to play alongside such an inspiring line-up of Australian musicians is both humbling and a great privilege. I can't wait to take part in what will be an unforgettable experience."

Katie Yap is a student at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and regularly performs with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, and the Australian Youth Orchestra. Yap graduated with a Bachelor of Music at the University of Queensland with first class Honours and a University Medal and had been the recipient of several awards - the Harmer Memorial Scholarship award (2009 -12), UQ String Bach Prize in 2011, the ABC Young Performer's Award (2011), and the ANAM Concerto Competition (2013).

The Australian World Orchestra is bringing together Australia's finest classical music talent from across the globe for three spectacular concerts conducted by the internationally renowned Maestro Zubin Mehta, at Melbourne's Hamer Hall and the Sydney Opera House.

Australian World Orchestra Concerts:

Wed 2 & Fri 4 October at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre in Melbourne

For tickets, call 1300 182 183 www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

Thursday 3 October at Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House

For tickets, call 02 9250 7777 www.sydneyoperahouse.com