Skye McIntosh is the founder, Artistic Director and Principal Violin of the Australian Haydn Ensemble.

"Violinist Skye McIntosh is to be commended for formidable leadership in this and all of the evening’s instrumental tapestries. Her first violin filigree was masterfully rendered." Sydney Arts Guide
 
Skye McIntosh is the founder and Artistic Director of the Australian Haydn Ensemble. She has appeared numerous times as a director and soloist with the Ensemble to critical acclaim. She is a sought-after specialist in baroque and classical period violin throughout Australia.
 
She has appeared as Principal 2nd Violin for Pinchgut Opera (Orchestra of the Antipodes), with whom she has performed regularly for the past five years, has been principal 2nd violin with the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra and was a regular member of The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra between 2008-2014. In addition to this, she has appeared at baroque festivals and concerts all over Australia including the Brisbane and Hobart baroque festivals.
 
She has a wide range of experience in Historical Performance having worked with many distinguished baroque/classical specialist performers such as Catherine Mackintosh, Stefano Montinari, Marc Destrubé, Neal Peres De Costa, Danny Yeadon, Elizabeth Wallfisch, Monica Huggett, Richard Egarr, Catherine Mackintosh, Erin Helyard and Lawrence Cummings.
 
Skye completed a Master of Music degree on full scholarship, specialising in baroque and classical violin performance, at the Sydney Conservatorium in 2011, under the tutelage of Rachael Beesley and Julia Fredersdorff. As part of her course, Skye also worked closely with international mentors including Catherine Mackintosh and Simon Standage as well as attending many individual lessons with teachers such as Marc Destrubé, Pavlo Besovonik, Stanley Ritchie and Brian Dean.
 
During this time she explored a keen interest in Historically Informed Performance Practice, with a particular focus on the music of Beethoven. Her research focused on vibrato and portamento practices in the classical era.
 
Whilst at the Sydney Conservatorium she frequently appeared as leader and soloist of the Early Music Ensemble, was a winner of the Conservatorium’s concerto prize, and joined EME on a tour of Italy, Holland and the UK in 2011. Skye also participated in the Ironwood Developing Artists program.
 
She began learning the violin aged 4 1/2 in Northern NSW. Skye then had the opportunity to study with John Wilison, formerly Principal Violin of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, from the age of 10.
 
Skye began tertiary studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with Carmel Kaine in 1999, during which time she was awarded her A.Mus.A with distinction and also participated in the Australian National Academy masterclass program.
 
After being awarded a Bachelor of Music in Performance with First Class Honours, Skye travelled to the UK in 2004 to continue her studies as a ‘Year In’ student at The Royal Academy of Music, London, with Professor Howard Davis on modern violin. She also commenced studies on baroque violin with Simon Standage.
 
During her three years in the UK she performed with many modern and period orchestras and ensembles, including The Royal Academy Baroque and Classical period instrument orchestras and modern orchestras, as well as the Britten Pears Symphony and Baroque Orchestras.
 
In 2006 Skye was a full-time member of Southbank Sinfonia, London’s leading orchestral program for young professionals.  She also performed throughout the UK in many festivals such as The London Handel Festival, The Aldeburgh Festival, The Dartington Festival, The York Trust Festival and the Three Choirs Festival.
 
Skye has twice made concert appearances as soloist and director for Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, including at The Vintage in the NSW Hunter Valley, performing Spring, and with the Sydney Youth Orchestra performing Winter and Spring. Skye was Principal Second violin of the Ruthless Jabiru chamber orchestra in the 2011 City of London Festival and has for several years has been concertmaster in performances of Handel’s Messiah at the Sydney Town hall with the Radio Community Chest Choir.
 
In 2013 Skye attended the prestigious Banff Centre as 1st Violin of the Australian Haydn Quartet for a Winter Residency. The Quartet undertook a subsequent residency in New York City in 2014, appearing at The Julliard School alongside world-renowned clarinettist Charles Neidich, at Caffè Vivaldi in Greenwich Village and in a performance featuring violinist Marc Destrubè at St Luke in the Fields.

"Violinist Skye McIntosh is to be commended for formidable leadership in this and all of the evening’s instrumental tapestries. Her first violin filigree was masterfully rendered." Sydney Arts Guide