A talented violinist and violist, Angellinah has been playing the violin for nearly 15 years and has earned her LmusA in Violin and AmusA in Viola. Her musical journey has been filled with solo performances, ensemble work, teaching, and now a leadership role as the Concertmaster of the UNSW Orchestra. We spoke with Angellinah about her musical experiences, her role as concertmaster, and her passion for both music and travel.
A Lifelong Passion for Music
Angellinah’s love for music started at a very young age. “I’ve been playing the violin since I was 5, so it's been almost 15 years! I started with the piano as my mum is a piano teacher but quickly took up the violin instead - and have enjoyed playing ever since in both solo, ensemble and educational settings,” she says. Over the years, Angellinah has not only honed her technical skills but has also thrived in a variety of musical settings, from solo performances to ensemble work, and has become a well-rounded musician with an impressive portfolio of achievements.
Leading the UNSW Orchestra as Concertmaster
As the Concertmaster of the UNSW Orchestra, Angellinah plays a key role in bringing the orchestra together. “A concertmaster is responsible for bringing the orchestra together in many ways - guiding everyone to tune, communicating with not only the violin section but also the principals of violas and cellos, offering musical insight and leading the orchestra by example,” she explains.
It’s a position that requires more than just technical skill, “the most valuable skills for concertmasters are their musical sensitivity, proactivity and competency, which are all developed through having experience in playing with and leading others. Musical sensitivity is an important part of leading an orchestra, as it ensures that the player considers how other parts interact with their own, ultimately facilitating a collaborative performance. Proactivity is also important as it sees what is needed and offers appropriate musical insight such as suggested fingerings, bowings or musical interpretations. Lastly, being competent and confident in your ability to play your part is important as other players look to the concertmaster for guidance.”
A Soloist: Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre
One of the highlights of Angellinah’s 2025 concert season is her solo line in Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre with the UNSW Orchestra this term. “I'm looking forward to my solo in Danse Macabre! It’s a really fun and exciting part that demands soloistic interpretation and lots of drama,” she says.
Angellinah enjoys the collaborative nature of performing as a soloist in an orchestral setting, where she can interact with other musicians and experiment with different interpretations of the music. “I enjoy performing as a soloist in an orchestral setting as opposed to a soloist with just the piano, as it opens up the range of instrumental interactions that I can have and really makes performing a lot more collaborative and experimental."
Balancing Music with Other Interests
Aside from her impressive musical accomplishments, Angellinah has a wide range of other interests. “I love travelling and documenting my travels through photography and videography!” she says. “I've recently travelled to Japan and Korea with my sister, and Singapore with my high school friends, and have compiled my travel footage in my YouTube channel :) I'm working on a China vlog from my trip mid last year.”
You can follow Angellinah’s travels and adventures on her YouTube channel @angellinahguo, where she shares her experiences from around the world.
Looking Ahead
As Angellinah continues her studies and musical endeavours at UNSW, she remains dedicated to sharing her passion for music with others, whether on stage as a soloist or in her leadership role as Concertmaster. Her commitment to both her art and her academic pursuits is inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
Whether she’s leading the orchestra, performing as a soloist, or capturing beautiful moments on her travels, Angellinah’s creativity, dedication, and passion shine through.
You can see her perform on 24 April, in our upcoming concert - UNSW Orchestra and Wind Symphony: Macabre and Majestic, tickets available here: UNSW Orchestra & Wind Symphony Concert: Macabre and Majestic Tickets, Thu 24/04/2025 at 7:00 pm | Eventbrite
