Heather Cottrell
Acting Deputy Concertmaster – Staatskapelle, Berlin;
Former Principal 2nd Violin – Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Germany
Australian Hometown: Sydney
Education: Music Academy of Bern
PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Heather Cottrell was born in Goulburn and grew up in Sydney, where she began to play the violin at the age of three. She was a member of both SYO and AYO before joining the Australian Chamber Orchestra at the age of 18.
In 1992 Heather left Australia to further her violin studies in Europe, studying first with Igor Ozim and Eva Zurbrügg, and then completing a postgraduate performance diploma under Ana Chumachenco. She subsequently undertook further postgraduate study in chamber music with the Alban Berg Quartet.
After having held several concertmaster and principal positions in Switzerland and Holland, Heather joined the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich, Germany, as associate principal second violin in 2008, where she remained for 12 years. Heather is currently acting deputy concertmaster at the Staatsoper in Berlin, where she lives with her family. She is also a committed teacher, enjoying pupils of all ages at the local municipal music school in Berlin-Charlottenburg.
Last updated 2023