Melinda Watzel midshot square
2019, 2018 India, 2018, 2017 Moorambilla Project, 2017, 2016, 2016 Singapore, 2015, 2013, 2011
“This is the opportunity that we’ve all dreamt of, but never thought would happen! How exciting to be part of such a collaboration of talent on our own home soil, and have the chance to inspire and give back some of what we’ve been given to fellow Australians. See you there!”

Melinda Watzel

Violin

Principal 2nd Violin – Komische Oper Berlin

Australian Hometown: Melbourne
Education: Klagenfurt Conservatorium; Hochschule für Musik, Cologne

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Melinda Watzel was born in Melbourne, Australia, and began playing the violin when she was 8 years old. After winning numerous prizes and awards in Australia, she began studying at the Klagenfurt Conservatorium, and from 1991 to 1995 was a pupil of Igor Ozim at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne.

Melinda enjoyed coaching chamber music with members of the Alban Berg Quartet and Amadeus Quartet. In 1995, she was accepted into the Herbert von Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmionic Orchestra, and in 1996 was the winner of the Australian Music Foundation grand prize in London.

From 1999-2002  completed a post graduate performance degree at the UdK Berlin with Prof. Mi-Kyung Lee and Prof. Antje Weithaas. From 1998-2001 she was a scholarship holder of the Villa Musica Foundation. Since 2002, Melinda has been a member of the Komische Oper Berlin, and Principal 2nd Violin since December 2009.

Melinda plays in various chamber music ensembles, including Polyphonia Ensemble, Deutsches Kammerorchester and Ensemble Kom. She is a regular guest in many European orchestras, including the Gewandhaus orchestra, Staatsoper Berlin, Deutsches Sinfonie Orchester and Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester Berlin.

Last updated 2022