There’s a fair distance between the vineyards of Red Cliffs and the concert halls of Boston, but for talented young musician Oliver “Ollie” Subramaniam, his roots run deep in the Mallee.
Ollie is the grandson of Red Cliffs wine grape grower and businessman Gary Leamon, giving his story a strong connection back to our part of the world.
There’s also a personal connection for me with this story — Ollie is my cousin.
His mum, Toni, grew up here in Sunraysia during the 1980s, so although Ollie’s musical journey is now taking place thousands of kilometres from the Mallee, those family roots remain firmly connected to Red Cliffs and Sunraysia.
From the Mallee to Boston
Ollie’s world looks a little different to the vineyards and dry Mallee country his family knows so well.
The 17-year-old violist and composer is continuing his musical education in the United States, studying through the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston.
Ollie’s musical journey actually began incredibly early.
He started learning music at just two and a half years old, following the Suzuki method until the age of 14, before beginning the next chapter of his education and enrolling at the New England Conservatory’s Prep School in 2024.
He now performs viola as part of the Conservatory’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, continuing to develop his skills alongside other talented young musicians.
And that journey has already seen the grandson of a Red Cliffs grower performing in some pretty impressive surroundings.
Among them is Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory in Boston, one of the city’s historic concert venues and a stage that has hosted generations of accomplished musicians.
It’s a long way from Red Cliffs.
But it’s also a great example of just where talent, hard work and plenty of practice can take someone.
More than just playing the viola
Performing is only one part of Ollie’s musical journey.
He is also developing his talents as a composer, creating his own works alongside his studies and orchestral performances.
His compositions include Veritas Nimis Magna, an orchestral fanfare originally written for Greenwood Music Camp.
Another work, The Month of the Fourth Pelican, is a piano quintet that follows an emotional journey through the seasons, beginning with Autumn and moving through Winter, Solstice and Spring before finishing with a Summer Postlude.
The work was published in July 2025 and is available through major sheet music publishers.
A Sunraysia connection worth following
For me, there’s a bit of extra pride in being able to share this story.
I know the Sunraysia connection through Toni and the Leamon family, and it’s pretty special to now watch the next generation carve out a completely different path on the other side of the world.
From a family with strong links to Red Cliffs, Sunraysia and the local wine grape industry, Ollie is now building his own story through music.
His talents have already taken him into some amazing concert halls, where he continues to learn, perform and hone his skills as both a violist and composer.
Ollie’s roots might be deep in the Mallee, but his music is taking him a long way beyond it.
And at only 17 years old, you’d have to think there are plenty more concert halls still to come.
Website:
oliversubramaniam.com
Instagram:
@oliversubsmusicandviola
Sheet Music:
View Oliver Subramaniam’s sheet music