
Ben Spiers
Bio SuMMARY
Ben began violin lessons with Robert Dowdell before successfully obtaining a music scholarship to The Peninsula School in Mt Eliza. He played with the Peninsula Youth Orchestra for three years before joining the Frankston Symphony Orchestra, where opportunities arose that allowed him to appear as a soloist with the orchestra. He went on to join the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, under the distinguished Australian conductor and educator Fabian Russell. In 2011, whilst in Year 11, Ben successfully auditioned for the Australian Youth Orchestra program. Over the next few years with the Australian Youth Orchestra, Ben travelled all around Australia and Europe working with some of the world’s finest conductors and soloists including Christoph Eschenbach, Simone Young, Thomas Dausgaard and Arvo Volmer.
After an extended period in Europe through 2013 and early 2014, Ben commenced his undergraduate studies at The University of Melbourne studying with violinist Monica Curro. He completed his Bachelor of Music at Monash University Zelman Cowen School of Music, studying under esteemed Australian violinist Sophie Rowell. He was concertmaster of The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for 2014 and appointed concertmaster of the Melbourne Opera Orchestra in 2016. He has led the orchestra for Melbourne Opera’s sellout seasons of Tannhäuser (2016), Lohengrin (2017), Tristan und Isolde (2018), Der Rosenkavalier (2018), Der Fliegende Holländer (2019), The Richard Divall Emerging Artists Programme (2022) of Figaro, and Wagner’s Ring Cycle (2023) in Bendigo, as well as several tours with the orchestra to China. In 2017, Ben toured with Ensemble Eight 88 piano quartet playing in esteemed concert halls all over China.
Ben has twice appeared as soloist with the North Queensland Chamber Orchestra. Former teachers have included Sarah Curro and Michele Walsh. Ben enjoys both teaching and working as a freelance musician in and around Melbourne. Ben has also appeared as a Guest with the Partridge String Quartet.
Upcoming PERFORMANCES OF ALAN GRIFFITHS’ COMPOSITIONS WITH THIS ARTIST
25
Nov 2023
Paul Whelan ‘Such A Fine, Sunny Day’ Australian Premiere
With Nicholas Young, Gemma Kneale, Zoe Freisberg, Megoe Chen
@ St Paul's Cathedral
| Melbourne CBD, Australia
17
Sep 2022
International opera bass Paul Whelan World Premiere with Australian virtuoso pianist Nicholas Young. Special Guest New Zealand concert pianist Anna Maksymova & New Zealand concert violinist Rose Light
With Nicholas Young, Anna Maksymova, Paul Whelan
@ The Piano Centre for Arts and Music
| Christchurch, New Zealand
31
Jan 2021
ANZCA/’Introspection’ Recital at ANZCA National Teachers Conference. POSTPONED
With Nicholas Young
| Nunawadding, Melbourne
28
Feb 2020
Free Solo Recital Nicholas Young – Tempo Rubato
With Nicholas Young
@ Tempo Rubato
| Brunswick
Free Recital
23
Feb 2020
Solo Recital Nicholas Young – The Romantic Piano
With Nicholas Young
@ ST BERNARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH
| Batehaven
Buy Tickets
21
Feb 2020
Nicholas Young – The Romantic Piano
With Nicholas Young
@ Hub Bravissimo
| Sydney CBD
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09
Nov 2019
Earth Show, A Rock & Classical Journey Across the Earth
With Ben Spiers, Gemma Kneale, Nicholas Young
@ Deaken Edge, Federation Square
| Melbourne CBD
20
Oct 2019
ANZCA/’Introspection’ & ‘Rare View’ Victoria Premiere – SOLD OUT
With Nicholas Young, Gemma Kneale, Ben Spiers
@ Tempo Rubato
| Brunswick, Victoria
Buy Tickets
02
Jun 2019
Nicholas Young -“Virtuosity”: A Piano Project Fundraiser
With Nicholas Young
@ Tempo Rubato
| Brunswick, Victoria
Tickets
22
Sep 2018
‘Rare View’ World Premiere – SOLD OUT
With George Yang, Dominik Przywara, Nicholas Young
@ Beleura House (Mornington)
| Mornington, Victoria
28
Oct 2017
Introspection: The Shepparton premiere
With Nicholas Young
@ St Paul's Lutheran Church
| Shepperton, Victoria
16
Jul 2017
50th Birthday Concert
With Nicholas Young
@ Wyselaskie Auditorium
| Melbourne, Australia
14
Jun 2017
Introspection: Victoria Premiere
With Nicholas Young
@ Beleura House (Mornington)
| Mornington, Victoria
See artist’s website for OTHER performances.