Episode 6: Ben Northey

Music was in Benjamin Northey’s blood from a young age, and he credits his teachers at Ballarat Clarendon College for encouraging his path into music where he studied flute, clarinet and saxophone. But it was the belief and mentorship of John Hopkins who encouraged Ben, at age 29, to be the first candidate for his new Master of Music in Conducting degree at the Victorian College of the Arts and Music that he will never forget. Now as Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor, Artistic Advisor Learning and Engagement of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Ben says he’s one of the luckiest people he knows because he loves what he does. From conducting orchestras the world over, to collaborating with big names including Tim Minchin, James Morrison, Sting and Hilltop Hoods, Ben is living his dream and is ever grateful for those who helped him get there.