Ursula Nelius is one of Sydney’s most respected violinists and a regular casual member with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, where she performs the role of guest Principal First and Associate Second Violin regularly.

 

Alongside her orchestra and chamber music engagements, Ursula is also in demand as a recording artist for movies and television. 2013 saw Ursula form the Reservoir Trio as part of the Resonance Concerts and Events with Paul Stender, cello and Chris Cartner, piano and in 2014 the trio were invited to be artists in resident at St Andrew's College, Sydney University. In 2013, Ryde Hunters Hill Symphony Orchestra also invited Ursula for performances as guest concertmaster and in May 2014 she returns for their inaugural concert, also as soloist.

 

Ursula began violin studies at the age of 4 with the Suzuki Violin method, later studying with Mr Yasuki Nakamura and was a long time member of the Sydney and Australian Youth Orchestras. Ursula completed her Bachelor of Music degree at Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Harry Curby and Dr Anthony Doheny after which she travelled to San Francisco to complete her Masters of Music degree studying with Ian Swenson and Mark Sokol in chamber music. During her time there she participated in masterclasses with Leon Fleischer, Yo-Yo Ma and the Juilliard String quartet, won 3rd prize in the Fort Collins Concerto Competition Colorado and attended Schleswig-Holstein and Tanglewood music festivals where she was a valued principal player and chamber musician.

 

Following her studies in the USA, Ursula travelled to Munich Germany where she won a first violin position with the Staatstheater am Gaertnerplatz. During her time in Munich Ursula also performed, recorded and toured with the Munich Radio Orchestra, Munich Symphoniker, Orchester der Klang Verwaltung, and Bavarian Chamber Orchestra and taught violin at the International School, Starnberg.

 

Since returning to Sydney Ursula has been regularly seeking the guidance of violin and Alexander technique teacher Janet Davies.