Born and raised in Adelaide, Mattea Osenk started playing viola at the age of seven. Mattea graduated from the Elder Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music with first class Honours in 2022, under the tutelage of Keith Crellin OAM and Stephen King. A particular highlight includes her concerto debut with the Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, performing the Walton Viola Concerto. She was the recipient of the Varley Scholarship and Exhibition and The Gustav Reimers Prize.
In 2023, Mattea commenced her Masters at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, supported by the Corinna D’hage Mayer String Scholarship under the guidance of Roger Benedict.
Mattea has participated in masterclasses with Australian String Quartet violist Christopher Cartlidge, The Guildhall School of Music Professor Matthew Jones and London Philharmonic violist Ting-Ru Lai.
A keen orchestral player, Mattea currently performs casually with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and has held Principal Viola positions in the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra, directed by Elizabeth Layton, the Adelaide Youth Orchestra and Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra. Mattea has also participated in the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp and Seasons programs.
Mattea attended the 2023 Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville with the ARMA String Quartet, receiving masterclasses from internationally acclaimed musicians including Timothy Ridout, Charlotte Saluste-Bridoux and Thomas Carroll.
Beyond the viola, Mattea has enjoyed exploring jazz/classical trombone, flute, and choral singing. She has toured and competed internationally in all these disciplines.
Outside of music, Mattea explores other creative pursuits such as painting and embroidery and finds solace in nature walks along South Australia's coast with her dog.
Mattea is excited to commence her studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in 2024 under the tutelage of Caroline Henbest and is looking forward to exploring more of her inner artist.
Matteais supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Jerry Koliha and Marlene Krelle, anonymous
Photo by Pia Johnson