Special: Far from Home, Close to Music

Three young Australian violinists. One city that changed everything. In this special episode of Tall Poppies, host Brendan O’Shea sits down with Leanne McGowan, Josephine Chung and Harry Ward — three remarkable musicians who left Australia and found a new creative home in Berlin. From Curtis Institute to the Karajan Academy, from the Mahler Chamber Orchestra to a seat in the Berlin Philharmonic itself, each tells a story of ambition, culture shock, and the particular gravity that draws Australian artists to this city. Along the way, the conversation turns to harder questions too; about arts funding at home, the 2023 referendum, and what it really means to carry an Australian identity from a distance. Honest, warm, and full of insight for anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to build a life in music far from home.