Who is Kate Suthers?
I’m Kate, a musician from Sydney. I lived in the UK for nearly 20 years before moving back to Australia in 2023. I’m Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and Artistic Director of the Coriole Music Festival. Over the years I’ve been lucky to travel a lot with my work, which has fed my dual loves for food and language.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I can’t imagine not playing the violin, but I’d like to be a writer, and I secretly aspire to be a chef.
Who inspires you and why?
Sally Rooney and Caroline Shaw, because they have both created instantly recognisable expression in their writing (literary and musical respectively). I find that very inspiring in the world we live in, where we’re constantly overwhelmed by information and stimuli.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Locally, I would campaign for free musical instrument lessons to be made available to every child throughout primary school. Globally, I would clean up the world’s oceans, and stop deforestation.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My dream holiday destination is Japan. I’ve been there twice for work and am dying to go back and explore more of the country.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I live in Adelaide. If my friends came to visit I’d take them to the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, then to McLaren Vale for a wine tasting (and for an excellent coffee at Dawn Patrol), and then back to the city for dinner at Osteria Oggi.
What are you currently reading?
My bedside table is always heaving with books. I’m currently reading a disturbing but compelling novel: The Lamb by Lucy Rose. Next up in Fiction: 10 Minutes and 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak. Next up in Nonfiction: Times Echo by Jeremy Eichler and The Dictionary People by Sarah Ogilvie.
What are you currently listening to?
Bach is always in the mix for me, and very often so are the Danish String Quartet albums of folk tunes. I like Maggie Rogers, Taylor Swift, Sigúr Ros. I often listen to music that I’ll be working on. I’m playing at the Sanguine Estate Music Festival at the end of the month, so am currently listening to some of the repertoire that I’m less familiar with, like Ethel Smyth’s string quintet.
Happiness is?
Walking by the ocean, and fresh sheets.
What does the future hold for you?
Possibility.
Kate is the Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra – who have recently revealed their 2026 Season. Kate is also the Artistic Director of the Coriole Music Festival – which takes place in May 2026.
Image: Kate Suthers – photo by Josh Geelan