Johnny van Gend

Johnny started learning violin at age five with Mary Nemet in his hometown of Toowoomba. He achieved AMusA at age eleven and LMusA (with Distinction) at age twelve, and in 2015 began tertiary studies with Michele Walsh at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. During his three years there, Johnny won every competition for which he was eligible, and performed as soloist with the Queensland Conservatorium Orchestra. In 2018 he entered the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) under Dr Robin Wilson. During his two years at ANAM, Johnny was the winner of the ANAM Concerto Competition, performing with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and was a finalist in the ANAM Chamber Competition. He was also a two-time finalist and multi-prize winner in the Kendall National Violin Competition. In October 2019 he moved to Germany to complete a Masters degree under Esther Hoppe at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, alongside performing with the Bavarian State Opera as an academist. A highlight in this time was leading performances of Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll” under chief conductor Kirill Petrenko. In 2021 he won a permanent position in the National Theatre Orchestra Mannheim. After five years in Germany, Johnny returned home to take on the role of Principal 1st Violin with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.