J O S H U A B A T T Y
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Joshua Batty is an internationally renowned flautist who joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as Principal Flute in 2019 at the age of 27, following two years in the same role with Ireland’s RTÉ Concert Orchestra. He studied with Michael Cox on a full scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London, supported by Sir Elton John, and also trained at HEMGE in Switzerland with Jacques Zoon. During his education he served as Principal Flute of both the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, and after his studies he was awarded an Associateship of the Royal Academy of Music.
His early successes included prizes and competition appearances at the Royal Academy of Music, the British Flute Society, the Maxence Larrieu International Flute Competition, the Royal Overseas League, and the LSO Academy (formerly the Shell Competition).
Over the past decade, Joshua has appeared as guest Principal Flute with more than 30 leading orchestras worldwide, and as a soloist with conductors including John Wilson, Johannes Fritzsch, and Simone Young. His solo career has taken him to major venues such as Buckingham Palace, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall, the National Concert Hall in Dublin, and Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, while collaborations have spanned Europe, the USA, South America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Joshua is deeply committed to expanding and redefining the flute’s repertoire and artistic identity. His debut album, Perfect Imperfections (to be released in 2027), gathers a constellation of Australian voices and commissions from William Barton, Aristea Mellos, Harry Sdraulig, Sir Stephen Hough, Konstantin Shamray, and the Chroma Quartet, and will be launched with a recital at UKARIA in July 2026, broadcast live on ABC Classic FM. Alongside the album, Joshua has embarked on a major new commissioning project with Nigel Westlake, further broadening the concerto and chamber repertoire for the flute.
Passionate about education and advocacy, Joshua began teaching at 23 as a flute tutor at the RNCM and the University of Melbourne. He has recently established a national flute course model touring every state of Australia, focusing on resonance fundamentals, holistic career development, masterclasses, and the business of music. Since relocating to Australia in 2019, he has also curated a series of charity concerts, raising over $50,000 for causes including the Bushfire Appeal, the Ukraine War, Support Act for pandemic-affected artists, and WIRES animal welfare.
Having recently stepped away from his orchestral chair to focus on his solo career, 2025 has already seen Joshua perform and give masterclasses across France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, the United States, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway — with an exciting future of new recital, concerto, and masterclass projects soon to be announced.
Joshua plays an Arista flute and is represented worldwide by Emblem Artists, Australia.
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VIEW JOSHUA’S CV HERE
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✪ MELBOURNE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA DEBUT
BEAT: ★★★★★
Presenting a first-time appearance with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, globally lauded flautist Joshua Batty proved just one of the splendid performers in “Ethereal”.
✪ CORIOLE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Limelight: ★★★★★
This was a finely judged performance, one that seduced the audience with its wide palette of tonal colours, technical mastery, and seemingly effortless execution.
✪ JOSHUA BATTY PERFORMS C.P.E. BACH CONCERTO | SIMONE YOUNG | SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 2024 ✪
Limelight: ★★★★★
"Josh Batty’s dazzling flute salad makes a tasty appetiser for Simone Young’s sublime Mozart."
State of the Arts Media: ★★★★✬
“The highlight of the first movement was flautist Joshua Batty’s closing cadenza. His articulation gave the impression of the spoken word”.
Sydney Morning Herald: ★★★★✬
"Flautist Joshua Batty played the first movement with freedom, agility and brilliance, as though of crossing an irregular terrain where moments of impulsive fleetness mixed with thoughtful pauses. He drew stylish expressiveness from the second movement against a quietly mournful orchestra, and played the finale with fiery virtuosity."
✪ JOYFUL SOUNDS PUSH BACK AGAINST THE GLOOM ✪
Sydney Morning Herald: ★★★★
✪ MUSIC REVIEW: THE ASO’S ECSTASY ✪
In Daily - Adelaide
✪ DELICATE SENSUOUS DEBUSSY ✪
Sydney Morning Herald: ★★★★
✪ VIRTUOSIC FLUTE & HARP DUO [LIVE AT YOURS] ✪
Limelight:★★★★
✪ NIELSEN FLUTE CONCERTO ✪
Limelight
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✍ JOSHUA BATTY ON VOX BALAENAE
Interview: Batty does a deep dive into the experience of preparing for George Crumb's otherworldly Vox Balaenae.
UNSW
✍ IN CONVERSATION: JOSHUA BATTY
Interview
MCO
🎥 🔴 ▶ Rattle conducts Tippett, Turnage & Vaughan Williams—with John Scofield
London Symphony Orchestra
✍ JOSHUA BATTY INTERVIEW - THE FLUTE VIEW
Expanding the Boundaries of the Flute
The Flute View
✍ JOSHUA BATTY INTERVIEW - NEW HORIZONS
New Horizons
✍ INTERVIEW WITH A PRO - PRINCIPAL CHAIRS
Principal Chairs
✍ ABC INTERVIEW FLAUTIST JOSHUA BATTY
ABC
✍ LEADING SYDNEY MUSICIANS LINE UP IN BID TO SUPPORT UKRAINE
Flautist Joshua Batty explains why a fundraiser is so important right now, and what we can expect.
Limelight
✍ SYDNEY MUSICIANS ARE BANDING TOGETHER TO HELP NATIVE ANIMALS IN NEED
CutCommon - Magazine
✍ MUSICIANS HELPING AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE RECOVERY
ABC Classic
A B O U T M E
“Finding top-notch soloists doesn’t seem to be a problem either, with Joshua Batty the star of this show” Limelight
“Joshua Batty played with florid lightness, deft musicianship, virtuosity and nimble expressiveness" [Nielsen Flute Concerto] Sydney Morning Herald
"Joshua Batty played as wonderfully as one could imagine.” [Prélude à l’après-midi d’un Faune] InDaily Adelaide
“Finding top-notch soloists doesn’t seem to be a problem either, with Joshua Batty the star of this show” Limelight “Joshua Batty played with florid lightness, deft musicianship, virtuosity and nimble expressiveness" [Nielsen Flute Concerto] Sydney Morning Herald "Joshua Batty played as wonderfully as one could imagine.” [Prélude à l’après-midi d’un Faune] InDaily Adelaide
T E S T I M O N I A L S
P R O F E S S I O N A L
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"I’ve had the good fortune to know Josh for some years now, and have witnessed his development over this time. He is a huge talent on the flute and in general musically. As a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral musician he consistently demonstrates an instinctive affinity with the instrument and with the subtleties of the style at hand. His performances are exhilarating, sensitive and intelligent".
Diana Doherty Oboe Soloist, Winner: Prague Spring competition, Young Concert Artists New York
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“From the orchestra came the gorgeous glow of Josh Batty's flute. Every solo was glorious, and every duet an inspiration.”
Sir Stephen Hough Concert Pianist
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"I feel very strongly about working with the star musicians from the orchestra as soloists. And to have Flute Joshua Batty do the CPE Bach [concerto] is such a gift.”
Simone Young - Chief Conductor Sydney Symphony Orchestra
T E A C H I N G
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Josh Batty is an exceptional teacher and flautist who is very generous with his knowledge and musical ideas. He is fantastic at providing explanations to take the guesswork out of flute playing.
Kim Falconer - Principal Flute Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
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"I have learned with Josh for numerous years and in that time, he has helped me to reach new heights in both my technical and expressive abilities. He is a highly experienced and innovative teacher and I have been greatly inspired by what I have learned with him. Especially with the way that he teaches breathing and tone production, it has unveiled a myriad of colours which I can now utilise in performance. Josh has been very supportive and prepared me for various auditions for study programmes and professional ensembles."
Michelle Wang - Royal Danish Conservatoire of Music
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"When I started lessons with Josh I was a completely different flautist. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to learn from a musician who has so much experience, knowledge and adaptability in his teaching. In every lesson, Josh's teaching gives me the information I needed to hear to focus my practice, make improvements and broaden my horizons. Whether the key information is a conversation about mental approach, or a scientific looking sketch of sound waves, Josh always knows what I need to hear. His lessons are a place of inspiration and I constantly find myself thinking between lessons "how would Josh play that?" or "what would Josh do to make that phrase sparkle?".
Suzy Milton - Australia, Sydney Conservatorium
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“Josh has been an influential and dynamic teacher. His knowledge, passion and command of the instrument is inspiring and his international experience enhances his invaluable teachings. I’m grateful for the guidance and support he has given me in preparation for successful auditions including Australian Youth Orchestra and UK conservatoire undergraduate programs.”
Isabeau Hansen RNCM, UK
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Joshua’s knowledge of the flute helped me reach new heights in my playing, and his command of the instrument remains a constant source of inspiration. His guidance and support when I auditioned for postgraduate conservatoire degrees was invaluable, and I feel very fortunate to have had him as my teacher.
Matthew Bottaro - Royal College of Music, London
