Roger Benedict has enjoyed a close relationship with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for some twenty years, first as principal viola and artistic director of the orchestra’s acclaimed fellowship program, and more recently as a regular guest conductor. Roger has conducted the orchestra in subscription concerts at the Sydney Opera House, at City Recital Hall and in regional centres.

Roger has been invited to appear as a conductor with other orchestras in the Australia including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and in the UK with the Southbank Sinfonia. A devoted orchestral trainer, he has coached the European Union Youth Orchestra since 2000, and is a frequent conductor of Australian Youth Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra (UK) programs. He is currently chief conductor at the Sydney Conservatorium, where he is an Associate Professor.

Before his move to Australia, Roger was principal viola of the Philharmonia Orchestra (London) for nine years and a regular guest principal with every other major UK orchestra. As a viola soloist he has appeared with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Ulster Orchestra in the UK as well as the Sydney Symphony, Canberra Symphony, New Zealand Symphony and the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa (Japan). Roger has released several highly acclaimed solo recordings on the Melba and ABC Classics/Universal label. A new album of music by Debussy and Ravel with pianist Simon Tedeschi will be released later this year by ABC Classics.