THE MISSION

Why I do this and what I am about.

There are a number of reasons I choose to compose, and one of the biggest is community and the practice of building it. Community is one of the most important parts of being human and strong communities are held together by some key ingredients: a shared sense of identity; a common set of values; empathy; self-expression; and communication. Threaded together, these collectively constitute our ‘culture’. Robust culture means stronger communities and stronger communities mean better outcomes for individuals and society.

I'm about community and the practice of building it.

To put this in more concrete and personal terms, I grew up in a big Sicilian/Romanian family in the hills of Perth, Western Australia, and in our community we shared a language, food (lots of good pasta!), hand gestures, faith, the social practice of overfeeding guests, and – you guessed it – music! A nice story, perhaps, but so what?

Well, I think these types of things are important for all of us, which I became acutely aware of when I left my home country for somewhere far away: America. When you’re completely removed from your culture and community, you begin to question your identity and ask, “who am I?” However, I found that continuing to practice my culture (not just in a familial sense) reconnected me to those communities and aspects of my identity I thought I’d lost, despite any intervening physical or temporal distance. I felt connected even to those who had long since passed, and even those I’d never met. And, by practicing and sharing those aspects of my identity with others, I could begin to build new communities, and with that came a renewed sense of belonging. To me, that feels especially important to mention since so much of our individual purpose and meaning is predicated on belonging.

Herein lies the beauty of art: it is the deepening and illumination of our humanity through the practice of expression, an act of introspective empathy that connects us to a truth within ourselves and through this, to each other. For this reason, it is crucial for art and the artist to be truthful and sincere. Truth is the bedrock of any meaningful interaction and is what I search for in the music I create.

There exist truths so profound they are failed by all other domains of expression, save for music. These abstract yet quintessentially human truths are potent cross-sections of the spirit. The unique ability of music to facilitate their expression is where the immense power and beauty of the art form lies, underpinning why it is such an important force and mechanism for unification within and between individuals and of society. For example: much of my art of late is born from experiences of journey, loss, dislocation, and isolation. These experiences are not the ‘content’ of the art and are not something I wish for people to experience; rather, the works speak from the subsequent resonance of a much more abstract aspect of my humanity. There is a beauty – no matter how sweet or bitter – in the expression of these very abstract human truths, which can dissolve differences and allow me and anyone else participating in the experience, to connect to their humanity and the humanity of the person next to them.

Across the many dimensions and realms that exist over which humans disagree and divide themselves, music is not among them – and if music is to do the good work of unifying us, it is important it includes everyone. I choose to be a part of this process. I compose to advance a more unified and inclusive society.

So many of the classics remain relevant today because they speak to essential truths of what it is to be human. As our humanity continues to evolve and grow, it is the role of the composer to provide roadmaps of expression for individuals of the day. In my work, I look to empower performers with the materials for self-expression and meaningful exchange with their audiences, and in doing so, support in my small way the building of community.

BIOGRAPHY

Spreading music described as “a testament to the universal strength and endurance of the human spirit” by Cut-Common Magazine, Michael is an international award-winning emerging composer from Western Australia based in New York City. With a deep conviction for the role music play as a unifying mechanism in society, constructing identity and building community, he endeavours to create meaningful and inclusive cultural experiences, bridging tradition and the present through his music. In recent years, his works have dealt with ideas of journey, displacement, transience, and spirituality, offering his own deeply introspective expression and examination of the human experience.

Recognised with grants and awards from the New York Composer’s Circle, City of New York, Zodiac Festival in France, UNSW, Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian American Association, Michael’s work has been performed internationally at festivals including the Atlantic Music, Connecticut Summerfest, Charlotte New Music and TUTTI festivals and by ensembles including ETHEL, BEO, Hub New Music, the Australian Youth Orchestra, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. He is a John Monash Scholar and holds a Master of Music with honours from the New England Conservatory and undergraduate degrees from the University of Western Australia in mechanical engineering and music with first-class honours.

Spreading music described as “a testament to the universal strength and endurance of the human spirit” by CutCommon magazine, Michael is an international award-winning emerging composer from Western Australia based in New York City. With a deep conviction for the role music plays as a unifying mechanism in society, constructing identity and building community, he endeavours to create meaningful and inclusive cultural experiences, bridging tradition and the present. In recent years his works have dealt with ideas of journey, displacement, transience and spirituality, offering his own deeply introspective expressions and examinations of the human experience, touching audiences throughout recital venues in Australia, the United States, Europe and Asia.

His work has been recognised with awards from the New York Composer’s Circle, the Zodiac Music Festival in France, as well as grants from the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian American Association. In addition to working with institutions to create new music, Michael is entrusted and supported by a diverse community of patrons and co-commissioners to deliver an engaging season of works, projects and appearances each year through his ‘crowd-commissioning’ initiative.

Michael’s compositional interests rest largely with the creation of concert music. He is an avid writer of chamber and orchestral musical and an active contributor to international music festivals. He has presented works at TUTTI Festival, Alba Festival, Connecticut Summerfest, Atlantic Music Festival, Tura New Music’s “Total Huge New Music Festival”, the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp, Charlotte New Music Festival and shortly also Indiana State University’s Music Now Festival. At the heart of his career is a joy for collaboration with other artists which has led to projects with international groups including ETHEL, Hub New Music, Beo String Quartet, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra, Atlantic Contemporary Ensemble and the New England Conservatory Symphony Orchestra.

Knowledge and expertise from other fields have permeated and shaped Michael’s compositions. His sinfonietta “Euler’s Music” was inspired by his study of mechanics while completing his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Western Australia. Described as “imaginatively constructed” by The West Australian newspaper upon its premiere by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra Sinfonietta, the piece explored the mechanical principles of gyroscopic precession (demonstrated by the science education toy “Euler’s Disk”) as a guiding structure for pitch, harmonic rhythm and form. Music reciprocally inspired his engineering research, earning him a high distinction for his Honours research dissertation: an acoustical examination of interactions of a grand piano’s lid angle with the frequency response of a venue and its implications when accompanying other performers.

In part due to his activities as a photographer, Michael’s earlier works heavily explored the incorporation of extramusical influences – particularly visual art – to create cross-media pieces, with the goal of generating new innovations in musical expression and more engaging, meaningful concert experiences. During this time, he received a commission from the Laurence Wilson Art Gallery to contribute a musical work influenced by the exhibition’s theme “Memento Mori”. His work “Respiration” for solo bass clarinet was recorded and subsequently published on the album “Memento Mori Compositions”, displayed alongside works in the gallery. The work was premiered by Ashley Smith as part of Michael’s first public recital and photography exhibition “Portraits of the University of Western Australia,” a series of musical and photographic portraits of the grounds and wildlife of the iconic Perth campus. One work in the series – titled “Youth”, for solo piano – was a commission from St George’s College to inaugurate their new Fazioli Concert Grand and was premiered by Adam Pinto. Beyond composing, musical intersections with visual art became the subject of his academic writing at the time. His Honours dissertation and research project “Music and visual art in the post-tonal era: a semiotic exploration of Roger Smalley’s Diptych: Homage to Brian Blanchflower” investigated the ability of visual art to provide structure to music, through examination of a work by composer Roger Smalley that was influenced by the visual art of Brian Blanchflower.

His composition collaborations have also extended to film. He has provided soundtracks to documentaries, short films and branded content both in the United States and Australia. Recently he completed the score for the short film “The Statue” in New York, collaborating with director Elina Street, as well as soundtracks of a series of mini-documentaries for French perfumer “Robertet”, collaborating with New York director Louise de Nexon. In Australia, Michael’s work has appeared in the soundtracks for projects with the Australian Square Kilometre Array and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.

Michael completed a Master of Music with Honours at the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Kati Agocs and was supported by highly competitive scholarships from the General Sir John Monash Foundation, the New England Conservatory, and American Australian Association. Prior, he completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Western Australia with First Class Honours, studying with Christopher Tonkin and James Ledger, and was awarded the University’s Matilda Prize for Cultural Excellence and the West Australian Wagner Society’s Bayreuth Prize. During his studies he was a resident at St George’s College where he was the Wolff Scholar (2011, 2012, 2013) and Knight Scholar (2014).

Since 2012, Michael has operated his own audio recording business to service the needs of the classical music community. Originally named “Grebla Media”, he developed a brand of quality, reliability, and professionalism, using his sensibilities as a musician and technical understanding of acoustics to produce tasteful and flattering recordings for artists. This quickly expanded to also offer high quality multi-camera video recording and postproduction. His work is chiefly focused on location recording outside of a studio including the recording of live concerts, auditions and dedicated recording projects for orchestras, chamber groups and individuals.

With 8 years of experience, he has recorded for the Australian Youth Orchestra, Fremantle Symphony Orchestra, Swan Philharmonic, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, University of Western Australia, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, St George’s College, the Australian Music Examination Board, Perth Rotary Vienna Pops Orchestra and countless individuals and groups throughout Australia and the US. He has recorded in major performing arts venues such as Llewellyn Hall, Government House Ballroom Perth, Perth Concert Hall, Callaway Auditorium,  Winthrop Hall, West Australian Academy of the Performing Arts, St George’s Cathedral Perth, the John Inverarity Music and Drama Centre, St George’s College and more.

In 2016 he was a participant in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s (AYO) National Music Camp Sound Engineering program, where he received intensive mentorship and training from long time Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sound Engineer Andrew Dixon. During this program he was responsible for recording and mastering all performances of the AYO as well as working with producers from the ABC to run live national radio broadcast from National Music Camp.

In conjunction with his composition career, Michael’s passion for music and community is exemplified through his dedication and leadership as an entrepreneur within the field. At the age of 23 – driven by a desire to see greater participation of ordinary folk in concert music and develop opportunities for fellow young artists – Michael had the vision to create a hub for chamber music for the state of Western Australia, and a point of convergence between the community, emerging talent and the greatest national and international artists. While studying acoustical engineering, Michael observed and subsequently tested the acoustic profile of the Hackett Dinning Hall at St George’s College and identified that in addition to its iconic architecture, it was an acoustically ideal venue for chamber music, lacking only an equally fine instrument. This vision manifested in 2013 with the creation of “Music at St George’s”, for which he successfully championed the acquisition and installation of a $250,000 Fazioli concert grand piano. This venue and its associated programming quickly became West Australia’s premiere experience for intimate, high quality chamber music. In addition to providing opportunities to emerging artists, the program was able to deliver significant international talent to West Australians including Maxim Vengarov, Angela Hewitt, Kathryn Stott, and more, through strategic partnerships and collaborations with leading arts organization including Musica Viva Australia, The University of Western Australia and The West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Michael’s tenure as “Director” of Music at St George’s lasted until the afternoon he left for the United States to pursue his Masters – just over three and a half years – and in that time he produced and curated some 55 bespoke concert experiences, engaging hundreds of performers and welcoming over 13,500 audience members. Among these were establishment of an annual concert series, “Christmas in the Quad” which continues to attract audiences of more than 2,000; a state-wide intercollegiate piano competition; the College residents’ “Classic’s Dinner”; and cultural collaborations with organisations such as the Wagner Society and Confucius Institute.

As “Music at St George’s” matured, Michael recruited two music fellows – Raymond Yong and Prof. Paul Wright – and established three resident ensembles as part of a mentoring program, to foster excellence and provide a platform for emerging talent in the state of Western Australia. The mentoring program was a huge success with ensembles winning multiple awards in their first year and spreading music in the community beyond St George’s. In the years following, program participants have earned entry into some of the world top institutions including Yale, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and the National Academy of Music, in addition to prestigious scholarships such as the Fulbright and Monash Scholarships.

The impact of “Music at St George’s” was highly valued and cherished by the broader community, raising in excess of $800,000 in the form of scholarships, endowments and instruments, in order to support promising young artists and ensure the program’s enduring impact and longevity. The program has continued to grow under the guidance of an advisory board and remains an important cultural institution for the state of Western Australia.

Alongside composing, Michael has established himself as a highly reputable and trusted practicing photographer, helping bring visibility to the stories of countless individuals, artists, and organisations as they spread their message, brand, and special moments. Though quite different to music, Michael finds photography to be an extension of the broader artistic principals and logic that give shape to his compositions. His work has largely focused on live events, concerts, portraiture and marketing photography, and has featured in the publications and content of The West Australian, The Sunday Times, The Post, The Western Suburbs Weekly, Perth Concert Hall, Fazioli Pianos, Musica Viva Australia, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the University of Western Australia, The Georgian magazine, the Rotary Club of Western Australia, New England Conservatory, the Australian American Association, the General Sir John Monash Foundation, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the University of Sydney, the United Church in the City and more.

Michael's Photography Portfolio

A passionate educator, Michael has taught both privately and within leading institutions, sharing his knowledge of composition, music theory, piano and voice with aspiring musicians of all ages. Most recently, he was a teaching assistant at the New England Conservatory of Music for graduate music theory under the supervision of Bert Van Herrick. His responsibilities included tutoring students, grading assignments, administering exams and working to address the individual needs of students to ensure they thrived in the conservatory. From 2010-2014 he was a tutor of music at St George’s College which included helping residents with music theory, voice, keyboard and composition and concurrently he also taught beginner and advanced music appreciation classes for music theory and composition to the public. With a very personal and relatable teaching style, he has tutored privately for nearly a decade, breaking down complicated subjects from music to mathematics and chemistry.

AWARDS, GRANTS, HONOURS & SCHOLARSHIPS

All these awards, scholarships, honours and grants listed below can be clicked on to reveal more information about what they are, related press, works and articles.

(2024) Spectrum Chamber Music Composition Award

Winner | Piano Trio No.1 “In Search of Peace”. Selected from over 50 other submissions as winner of the Spectrum Chamber Music Society of…

(2023) CreArtMusic Call for Scores Competition

Winner | Piano Trio No.1 “In Search of Peace”. Selected from over 50 other submissions as winner of the Spectrum Chamber Music Society of…

(2023) New York State Council on the Arts – Artist Grant

Grant Winner. Support for the commissioning of a new work for String Quartet in 2023. NYSCA supports the creation of new work by New York State…

(2023) Iceberg New Music Call For Scores

Finalist | Trio for Flute, Clarinet & Piano More about Iceberg new Music

(2022) The President’s Own United States Marine Band Call for Scores Competition

Semi-finalist | Sfidare for String Orchestra More about the President's Own United States Marine Band

(2022) Australia Council for the Arts – Arts Projects for Individuals Grant

Highly selective grant. This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and…

(2022) Red Jasper Award in Music Composition

Runner-up/Finalist | String Quartet No.2 “Fede” One of 6 finalists selected from over 400 applications. The Red Jasper Award in Musical…

(2021) New York City Artist Corps Grant

Grant Winner | Commission to write a new work for solo violin with an artist talk about the work in progress to presented in New York City in Fall of…

(2021) Thailand Music and Arts Organization Symposium Open Call

Honorable Mention | String Quartet No.2: “Fede” (Faith) | Selected from 412 applications from 31 countries.

(2021) Sir John Monash Collaborative Grant

Joint winner of collaborative grant form the General Sir John Monash Foundation along with Ben Mylius to support the commissioning of score and…

(2020) Kaleidoscope 2020 Call for Scores

Semi Finalist | A Curious Misadventure | Selected as a semifinalist from the submission of 7824 works.

(2020) Kaleidoscope 2020 Call for Scores

Semi Finalist | String Quartet #2: Fede | Selected as a semifinalist from the submission of 7824 works.

(2020) Creative Partnerships Australia Matchlab Grant

Successfully accepted into MATCH Lab program, including matched funding grant. Matchlab is a program building fundraising skills and providing…

(2020) Keene State College International 2020 Call for Scores

Winner | A Curious Misadventure for Flute, Clarinet, Violin and Cello selected as the winning work from 46 applications. “The…

(2020) Deus Ex Musica – Call For Scores

Winner | String Quartet #2: “Fede”. Winning works to be performed by Carrefour Chamber Music Project in Shreveport, Louisiana in…

(2020) Indiana State University – Music Now Contest

Winner | String Quartet #2: “Fede”. To be featured in Indiana State University’s Contemporary Music Festival 2020. More about Music…

(2020) University of New South Wales – Willgoss Ensemble Composition Prize

Joint Winner | Dr Richard Willgoss, and his wife Sue have generously provided support for this prize, offered as a way of supporting and inspiring…

(2020) United States of America Permanent Residency/Green Card Category E26 (Professional holding advanced degrees or of exceptional ability)

Successful petition to United States Citizen and Immigration Services for 'Permanent Residency' under category E26: "Professional holding advanced…

(2020) Australia Council for the Arts – Resilience Fund Grant

The 2020 Resilience Fund is designed to provide emergency relief to support the livelihoods, practice and operations of Australian artists, groups…

(2019) University of Western Australia 6th Annual “Biology As Art” Competition & Exhibition

Finalist selected from 78 submissions for solo piano “The Moreton Bay Fig”. The work was featured as a sound installation as part of a…

(2019) New York Composers Circle John Eaton Memorial Competition

Runner-up/Honourable Mention for String Quartet #1: "Sfidare".

(2018) Zodiac Festival & Academy Composition Award

Winner for String Quartet #1: "Sfidare". Most outstanding new work of the festival.

(2018) New England Conservatory Academic Honours

Academic Honours conferred upon the Master of Music degree for outstanding academic achievement over the program.

(2018) New England Conservatory Dean’s List

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Fall of 2018.

(2018) American Australian Association Dame Joan Sutherland Fund Grant

Grant awarded to assist in the completion of a Master of Music degree at New England Conservatory.

(2018) New England Conservatory Travel Award

Travel award to attend Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp.

(2017) New England Conservatory Dean’s List (fall)

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Fall of 2017.

(2017) New England Conservatory Dean’s List (spring)

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Spring of 2017.

(2017) West Australian Young Achiever Awards

Arts & Fashion Award Semi-Finalist for the state of Western Australia.

(2016) New England Conservatory Dean’s List

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Fall of 2016.

(2016) American Australian Association Dame Joan Sutherland Fund Grant

Grant awarded to assist in the completion of a Master of Music degree at New England Conservatory.

(2016) New England Conservatory Merit Based Admissions Scholarship

Awarded upon merit of audition and successful admission to New England Conservatory.

(2016) General Sir John Monash Scholarship

Australia’s most prestigious international travel scholarship, competitive across all disciplines for individuals who demonstrate a track record of…

(2015) Australian Post Graduate Award & Top-up Scholarship

Awarded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skill & Employment for Masters research at UWA. [Declined]

(2014) University of Western Australia First Class Honours (Music)

First Class Honours conferred on the Bachelor of Music degree for academic excellence and achieving high distinction in composition and research.

(2014) University of Western Australia Honours in Mechancial Engineering

Honours conferred on the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree for academic excellence and achieving high distinction in final year research.

(2014) Bryant Stokes Matilda Award for Cultural Excellence

Award in recognition of excellence and outstanding achievement in cultural pursuits, competitive across all disciplines University wide. Full award…

(2014) St George’s College Victorian Georgians’ Travel Prize

Travel prize awarded to an outstanding student to visit Melbourne for cultural develop and foster greater relations between communities in each…

(2014) St George’s College Inaugural Knight Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

(2014) St George’s College Warden’s Bursary

Awarded to an outstanding resident with a track record of significant contribution to College culture.

(2013) St George’s College J. M. Wolff Music Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

(2012) St George’s College J. M. Wolff Music Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

(2011) Richard Wagner Society of Western Australia Bayreuth Festival Prize

Travel prize awarded to an outstanding emerging artist at the University of Western Australia to attend 5 Wagner operas at the coveted Bayreuth…

(2011) St George’s College J. M. Wolff Music Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

(2006) Borger Prize

Awarded to the most outstanding graduating student who in addition to academic excellence must also demonstrate excellence in the arts.

AWARDS, GRANTS, HONOURS & SCHOLARSHIPS

All these awards, scholarships, honours and grants listed below can be clicked on to reveal more information about what they are, related press, works and articles.

(2024) Spectrum Chamber Music Composition Award

Winner | Piano Trio No.1 “In Search of Peace”. Selected from over 50 other submissions as winner of the Spectrum Chamber Music Society of…

(2023) CreArtMusic Call for Scores Competition

Winner | Piano Trio No.1 “In Search of Peace”. Selected from over 50 other submissions as winner of the Spectrum Chamber Music Society of…

(2023) New York State Council on the Arts – Artist Grant

Grant Winner. Support for the commissioning of a new work for String Quartet in 2023. NYSCA supports the creation of new work by New York State…

(2023) Iceberg New Music Call For Scores

Finalist | Trio for Flute, Clarinet & Piano More about Iceberg new Music

(2022) The President’s Own United States Marine Band Call for Scores Competition

Semi-finalist | Sfidare for String Orchestra More about the President's Own United States Marine Band

AWARDS, GRANTS, HONOURS & SCHOLARSHIPS

All these awards, scholarships, honours and grants listed below can be clicked on to reveal more information about what they are, related press, works and articles.

(2024) Spectrum Chamber Music Composition Award

Winner | Piano Trio No.1 “In Search of Peace”. Selected from over 50 other submissions as winner of the Spectrum Chamber Music Society of…

(2023) CreArtMusic Call for Scores Competition

Winner | Piano Trio No.1 “In Search of Peace”. Selected from over 50 other submissions as winner of the Spectrum Chamber Music Society of…

(2023) New York State Council on the Arts – Artist Grant

Grant Winner. Support for the commissioning of a new work for String Quartet in 2023. NYSCA supports the creation of new work by New York State…

(2023) Iceberg New Music Call For Scores

Finalist | Trio for Flute, Clarinet & Piano More about Iceberg new Music

(2022) The President’s Own United States Marine Band Call for Scores Competition

Semi-finalist | Sfidare for String Orchestra More about the President's Own United States Marine Band

EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAMS & FESTIVAL ATTENDANCES

Click on any program or festival to read more and see related works, articles and content.

June in Buffalo – University at Buffalo (June 2023)

Buffalo, New York, USA

Presented by the UB Department of Music and The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music, June in Buffalo, is a festival and conference dedicated to contemporary composers. June in Buffalo offers an intensive schedule of seminars, lectures, workshops, professional presentations, participant forums and open rehearsals, as well as afternoon and evening concerts open to the general public and critics. Each of the invited composers will have one of his/her pieces performed during the festival. Evening performances feature faculty composers, resident ensembles and soloists renowned internationally as interpreters of contemporary music.

Read More

Indiana State University 55th Annual Contemporary Music Festival (October 2021)

Terre Haute, Indiana, USA

An annual new music festival at Indiana State University College of Arts and Science.  The week long festival presented a series of concerts. I participated as a featured guest and winner of the "Music Now Contest". I gave a presentation of the winning work "String Quartet #2: Fede" via teleconference and a recording was featured as part of the  festival's closing concert titled "Music Now Recital".

Read More

Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival (October 2020)

Terre Haute, Indiana, USA

An annual new music festival at Indiana State University College of Arts and Science.  The week long festival presented a series of concerts. I participated as a featured guest and winner of the "Music Now Contest". I gave a presentation of the winning work "String Quartet #2: Fede" via teleconference and a recording was featured as part of the  festival's closing concert titled "Music Now Recital".

Read More

Alba Music Festival (May 2020)

Piamont, Italy
An annual summer festival in the Piamont region of Italy bringing together artists internationally. I was commissioned to write a new work for the Borromeo String Quartet, though due to COVID-19, the festival was switched to an online format. Instead, I participated online and was featured as part of a livestream series, where I presented a recording of a prior quartet and took part in an interview.

Read More

TUTTI Festival (March 2020)

Granville Ohio, USA
A biennial festival at Denison University bringing together artists from across the country. Here I worked with the ETHEL String Quartet for the Midwest Premiere of String Quartet #2: Fede. The festival lasted from March 4-8 and involved a number of performances as well as participation in workshops, discussion and networking events.

Read More

Atlantic Music Festival (July 2019)

Waterville, Maine, USA
A four-week music festival where I worked with the Atlantic Music Festival Contemporary Ensemble to premiere String Quartet #2, and the Festival Orchestra to workshop Sfidare for Orchestra. The festival also included daily composer seminars, instrumentation workshops and private lessons with all-star faculty including Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award winners.

Read More

Charlotte New Music Festival (June 2019)

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
A two week festival for music, improvisation and dance. The festival included daily seminars, presentations of my work, lectures from prominent faculty as well as the workshopping of String Quartet #2 with the Beo String Quartet. I also received private lessons with Marc Mellits and Lawrence Dillon.

Read More

Connecticut Summerfest (June 2019)

Hartford, Connecticut, USA
A 10 day festival at The University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music. The festival saw the workshopping and world premiere of "A Curious Misadventure" for Hub New Music. I participated in daily seminars, including presenting my own seminar on my works and lectures from the faculty. I received private lessons with Aaron Kernis, Miguel Del Aguila, Laura Kaminsky and Robert Carl.

Read More

Zodiac Academy & Festival (July 2018)

Valdeblore, Nice, France
A two-week festival set in the French Alps outside of Nice. The festival involved extensive rehearsals with the festival's string quartet and the subsequent premiere of String Quartet #1: Sfidare. Each day we participated in seminars, presenting our music to each other in addition to receiving instrumentation lectures from faculty. The composition program was overseen by Prof. Andrew List of Berklee Conservatory with whom I also received a number of private lessons. During the festival, there was a performance of Fugue No.1 in G Minor and my own quartet arrangement of Schumann's Kinderszenen No. 1 for string quartet, at a salon-style concert for the other participants.

Read More

Australian Youth Orchestra Composition Program (January 2018)

National Music Camp, Adelaide, South Australia
A two-week intensive writing program selecting four composers nationwide to write and premiere a new work for Sinfonietta (‘Onward & Upward’) for the instrumental faculty of the Australian Youth Orchestra's National Music Camp. The program included daily lessons with Gerard Brophy in addition to seminars and presentations by other prominent Australian artists. Composers were interviewed by the Orchestra's press program 'Music in Words', resulting in an interview and podcast about me and my work.

Read More

Australian Youth Orchestra Sound Engineering Program (January 2016)

National Music Camp, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
A two-week intensive course in sound engineering mentored by Andrew Dixon, formerly of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Two candidates are selected nationwide for the program and each day record and produce live recordings of Australian Youth Orchestra concerts, as well as the chamber concerts of the participants and faculty. We are also responsible for live broadcasting select concerts direct to national radio on the ABC, working with their producers.

Read More

West Australian Symphony Orchestra Composition Project (Feb-Jun 2015)

Perth, Western Australia
Selected as one of four artists for a six-month program preparing a new work for Sinfonietta, "Euler's Music", for the Education Chamber Orchestra (EChO) under the guidance of James Ledger. The program involved an extremely generous amount of rehearsals and workshops with the Chamber Orchestra as well as private lessons with Ledger working on the work. The program also included the arrangement of a Debussy Prelude for the ensemble. The program culminated in the premiere of Euler's Music at The John Inverarity Music & Drama Centre.

Read More

West Australian Symphony Orchestra International Artist Masterclass (May 2015)

Masterclass with Mark-Anthony Turnage, Perth, Western Australia
"Euler's Music" was performed by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble prior to its premiere in a masterclass with Mark-Anthony Turnage at ABC 720 Studios in South Perth. The masterclass consisted of Turnage offering specific feedback about the work and workshopping sections.

Read More

Tura New Music 9th Totally Huge New Music Festival (September 2009)

Perth, Western Australia
A festival featuring the performance of an early quartet "Rain" for oboe, violin, cello and piano as part of the "Sonic Discourse" concert at the West Australian Museum. In addition to the performance of my work, I participated in seminars, lectures and workshops with other composers and guest artists.

Read More

EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAMS & FESTIVAL ATTENDANCES

Click on any program or festival to read more and see related works, articles and content.

June in Buffalo – University at Buffalo (June 2023)

Buffalo, New York, USA Presented by the UB Department of Music and The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music, June in Buffalo, is a festival and conference…

Indiana State University 55th Annual Contemporary Music Festival (October 2021)

Terre Haute, Indiana, USA An annual new music festival at Indiana State University College of Arts and Science.  The week long festival presented a series of concerts. I…

Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival (October 2020)

Terre Haute, Indiana, USA An annual new music festival at Indiana State University College of Arts and Science.  The week long festival presented a series of concerts. I…

Alba Music Festival (May 2020)

Piamont, Italy An annual summer festival in the Piamont region of Italy bringing together artists internationally. I was commissioned to write a new work for the Borromeo…

EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAMS & FESTIVAL ATTENDANCES

Click on any program or festival to read more and see related works, articles and content.

June in Buffalo – University at Buffalo (June 2023)

Buffalo, New York, USA Presented by the UB Department of Music and The Robert and Carol Morris…

Indiana State University 55th Annual Contemporary Music Festival (October 2021)

Terre Haute, Indiana, USA An annual new music festival at Indiana State University College of Arts…

Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival (October 2020)

Terre Haute, Indiana, USA An annual new music festival at Indiana State University College of Arts…

EDUCATION

Master of Music with Academic Honours (MMus Hons)

New England Conservatory, Boston, MA, USA | Aug 2016 to May 2018

A two year full-time Master’s program specialising in ‘Composition’. The program is entirely coursework, consisting largely of composing and music theory speciality courses, supplemented with a variety of electives in music history and musicianship. Students are assigned a composition teacher for the duration, mine being Kati Agocs, and receive weekly private lessons. Access is also provided to reading sessions with the New England Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. To complete the degree, students must pass a review panel consisting of the entire composition faculty during which they present and defend their portfolio of works.

I am grateful for the support of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, New England Conservatory and Australian American Association whom through their scholarships funded the entirety of my Masters.

Click on a teacher to read more.
CMP400 Composition Studio | Kati Agócs
CMP400 Composition Studio | Kati Agócs
CMP400 Composition Studio | Kati Agócs
CMP400 Composition Studio | Kati Agócs
CMP517 Tonal Composition in the Early 20th Century | Malcolm Peyton
CMP541 Performance & Rehearsal Technique | Michael Gandolfi
CMP543T Instrumentation & Orchestra I | Kati Agócs
CMP544T Instrumentation & Orchestration II | Kati Agócs
CMP555 Graduate Composition Seminar | Michael Gandolfi
CMP555 Graduate Composition Seminar | Malcolm C. Peyton
CMP563T Composition for Film & Media | John Mallia
THYG513T Invention in the Style of Bach | Matthias Truniger
THYG514T Fugue in the Style of Bach | Matthias Truniger
THYG575 Music Theory Since 1945 | Katarina Miljkovic
THYG587 Post-Tonal Harmony | Bert Van Herck
THYG548 Counterpoint Principles & Practice | Matthias Truniger
THYG564 Ambiguity in 18th & 19th Century Music | Deborah Stein
THYG586 Musical Minimalism | Katarina Miljkovic
ORCH503 Score Reading I | Lyle Davidson
ORCH504 Score Reading II | Lyle Davidson
MHST553 Russian & Eastern European Music Modern History | Katarina Markovic
JS 580T Jazz Styles in Composition | Ken Schaphorst

(2018) New England Conservatory Academic Honours

Academic Honours conferred upon the Master of Music degree for outstanding academic achievement over the program.

(2018) New England Conservatory Dean’s List

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Fall of 2018.

(2018) American Australian Association Dame Joan Sutherland Fund Grant

Grant awarded to assist in the completion of a Master of Music degree at New England Conservatory.

(2018) New England Conservatory Travel Award

Travel award to attend Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp.

(2017) New England Conservatory Dean’s List (fall)

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Fall of 2017.

(2017) New England Conservatory Dean’s List (spring)

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Spring of 2017.

(2016) New England Conservatory Dean’s List

Awarded for outstanding academic progress in Fall of 2016.

(2016) American Australian Association Dame Joan Sutherland Fund Grant

Grant awarded to assist in the completion of a Master of Music degree at New England Conservatory.

(2016) New England Conservatory Merit Based Admissions Scholarship

Awarded upon merit of audition and successful admission to New England Conservatory.

(2016) General Sir John Monash Scholarship

Australia’s most prestigious international travel scholarship, competitive across all disciplines for individuals who demonstrate a track record of excellence in their field and proven leadership (value approx. 120,000 AUD).…

Capitalist Dreams

Year: 2018 (rev. 2019)
Instrumentation: 2[/pic]222/4321/tmp+3/hp/pno/str
Duration: Approx. 10'

Vocalise for Soprano & Orchestra

Year: 2017
Duration: Approx. 12'
Instrumentation: 0000/4000/timp+3/hp/pno/str & Solo Soprano

Fugue No.1 in G Minor

Year: 2017
Duration: Approx. 1'30"
Instrumentation: Keyboard or SAB

Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours (BMus Hons I)

The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia | Feb 2009 to Dec 2014

A four year full-time Bachelor’s program majoring in ‘Composition’, completed as part of an elite six-and-a-half year Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Engineering double degree program. The program consists of four years of music coursework with four semesters of music theory and musicianship, six semesters of music history and musicology, eight semesters of private composition lessons and two semesters of research skills with a research project, capped by a portfolio recital and thesis (for an Honours component). During this time I was in the composition studios of Christopher Tonkin and James Ledger. While at the University I was the Richard Wagner Society of Western Australia’s “Bayreuth Scholar” and prize winner of the Bryant-Stokes Matilda Award for Outstanding Excellence in Music, and graduated with First Class honours, the highest honour bestowed upon a graduating student. I am grateful for and wish to acknowledge the Commonwealth of Australia for supporting my studies in this program.

From 2010-2014 I was a resident of St George’s College where I resided as three-time winner of the Wolff Music Scholarship (2011, 2012, 2013) and Knight Music Scholarship (2014). I am grateful to the College for supporting my studies. In 2013, I founded the “Music at St George’s” arts program and organisation alongside the final years of my degree.

MUSC4103 Investigating Music/Music Research Skills I
MUSC4104 Music in Words/Music Research Skills II
MUSC4140 Music Honours Research I
MUSC4141 Music Honours Research II
MUSC1010 World Music Cultures
MUSC1100 Western Art Music History – Renaissance and Baroque
MUSC2110 Western Art Music History – Classical & Romantic
MUSC2120 Western Art Music History – Post-Romantic and Early Modernism
MUSC3100 Western Art Music History – Contemporary
MUSC3010 Popular Music & Culture
MUSC1401 Practical Studies 1 – Composition Studio & Seminar
MUSC1402 Practical Studies 2 – Composition Studio & Seminar
MUSC2401 Practical Studies 3 – MAX MSP, Composition Studio & Seminar
MUSC2402 Practical Studies 4 – MAX MSP, Composition Studio & Seminar
MUSC3401 Practical Studies 5 – Composition Studio & Seminar
MUSC3402 Practical Studies 6 – Composition Studio & Seminar
MUSC1401 Techniques of Music 1 – Music Theory & Ear Training
MUSC1202 Techniques of Music 2 – Music Theory & Ear Training
MUSC2201 Techniques of Music 3 – Music Theory & Ear Training
MUSC2202 Techniques of Music 4 – Music Theory & Ear Training

(2014) University of Western Australia First Class Honours (Music)

First Class Honours conferred on the Bachelor of Music degree for academic excellence and achieving high distinction in composition and research.

(2014) Bryant Stokes Matilda Award for Cultural Excellence

Award in recognition of excellence and outstanding achievement in cultural pursuits, competitive across all disciplines University wide. Full award…

(2014) St George’s College Victorian Georgians’ Travel Prize

Travel prize awarded to an outstanding student to visit Melbourne for cultural develop and foster greater relations between communities in each…

(2014) St George’s College Inaugural Knight Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

(2014) St George’s College Warden’s Bursary

Awarded to an outstanding resident with a track record of significant contribution to College culture.

(2013) St George’s College J. M. Wolff Music Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

(2012) St George’s College J. M. Wolff Music Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

(2011) Richard Wagner Society of Western Australia Bayreuth Festival Prize

Travel prize awarded to an outstanding emerging artist at the University of Western Australia to attend 5 Wagner operas at the coveted Bayreuth…

(2011) St George’s College J. M. Wolff Music Scholarship

Awarded to a resident demonstrating outstanding academic performance in music at the University of Western Australia.

Portraits of UWA

Portraits of The University of Western Australia was a concert and photographic exhibit that presented a series of musical portraits of various aspects of the University and university life from throughout my time as an undergraduate.

Read More

Respiration

Year: 2014
Duration: Approx. 9″
Instrumentation: Solo Bass Clarinet or Bass Clarinet and String [33221]

The Moreton Bay Fig

Year: 2014
Duration: Approx. 5'30"
Instrumentation: Solo Piano
Click to read more

Youth

Year: 2013 (Revised 2014)
Duration: Approx. 5'
Instrumentation: Piano

Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder

Year: 2012
City: Perth, Australia
Director: Derek K. Gerstmann
Genre: Scientific Visualisation

The SkyNet

Year: 2011-2012
Director: Derek K. Gerstmann
Genre: Commercial

Bachelor of Engineering  with Honours majoring in Mechanical Engineering (BE Hons)

The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia | Feb 2009 to Dec 2014

A four year full-time Bachelor’s program specialising in ‘Mechanical Engineering’, completed as part of an elite six-and-a-half year Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Engineering double degree program. The program is entirely engineering-specific coursework with no electives outside of the discipline, capped by a thesis research project in final year. During this degree I had a focus on vibrations and acoustics, which was explored in my thesis investigating the acoustical interactions between a piano’s lid angle and the larger venue, i.e. mapping shifts in frequency response. The research noted the implications for the performer, collaborators and audiences and was awarded a high distinction. This, in addition to a high average mark, conferred Honours upon my degree. The research component was completed under the guidance and supervision of Andrew Guzzomi, Jie Pan and Hongmei Sun. In addition to acoustics and vibrations, I had a keen interest in structural integrity (fracture mechanics and corrosion), for which I received the second highest score in the student body. I am grateful for and wish to acknowledge the Commonwealth of Australia for supporting my studies in this program.

From 2010-2014 I was a resident of St George’s College where I resided as three-time winner of the Wolff Music Scholarship (2011, 2012, 2013) and Knight Music Scholarship (2014). I am grateful to the College for supporting my studies. In 2013, I founded the “Music at St George’s” arts program and organisation alongside the final years of my degree.

MECH4404 Acoustical Engineering
MECH4429 Applied Engineering Thermodynamics
MECH4401 Mechanical Engineering Research Project I
MECH4402 Mechanical Engineering Research Project II
MECH2402 Manufacturing
MECH3503 Mechanical Design
MECH3422 Mechanisms and Multibody Systems
MECH3405 Structural Integrity – Fracture mechanics and corrosion (Runner UP)
MECH3404 Vibration and Signal Processing
MECH1401 Engineering Dynamics
ENSC3003 Fluid Mechanics
CIVL2110 Statics and Solid Mechanics
MCTX3421 Control and Mechatronics
MATE1412 Materials Engineering
CITS1001 Object-oriented Programming and Software Engineering
GENG2140 Modelling and Computer Analysis for Engineers
GENG1001 Engineering: Introduction to Engineering Mechanics
GENG1002 Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering
GENG1003 Introduction to Professional Engineering.
MATH2040 Engineering Mathematics
MATH1010 Calculus and Linear Algebra
MATH1020 Calculus, Statistics and Probability
MATH1030 Calculus A
MATH1050 Calculus C
PHYS1142 General Physics B
PHYS1131 Introductory Physics
CHEM1101 Inorganic & Physical Chemistry
CHEM1102 Organic Chemistry
CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
CHEM2211 Synthetic and Materials Chemistry
ANHB1101 Human Biology I
ANHB1102 Human Biology II

(2014) University of Western Australia Honours in Mechancial Engineering

Honours conferred on the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree for academic excellence and achieving high distinction in final year research.

(2014) St George’s College Victorian Georgians’ Travel Prize

Travel prize awarded to an outstanding student to visit Melbourne for cultural develop and foster greater relations between communities in each…

(2014) St George’s College Warden’s Bursary

Awarded to an outstanding resident with a track record of significant contribution to College culture.

Euler’s Music

Year: 2015
Duration: Approx. 4'30"
Instrumentation: 1[/alto]111/1111/1/hp/11111

TEACHERS

Principal Composition Teachers

Kati Agocs

Pupil of Agocs from 2016-2018
at the New England Conservatory

“One of the brightest stars in her generation of composers” (Audiophile Audition), Kati Agócs writes music that  delivers visceral power and otherworldly lyricism with soulful directness. Her diverse and growing body of works has often been praised for its elegance and emotion, and is performed by leading musicians worldwide.......

https://www.katiagocs.com/

James Ledger

Pupil of Ledger from 2010-2014 at the The University of Western Australia  and 2015 at the West Australian Symphony Orchestra Composition Project.

James Ledger is a composer with a breadth of work spanning solo, chamber and orchestral music. His first orchestral work Indian Pacific from 1996, is regularly performed around Australia. He has held residencies with the West Australian, Adelaide and Christchurch (NZ) Symphony Orchestras...

https://jamesledger.com/

Pupil of Tonkin at the The University of Western Australia (2009-2014)

Dr Christopher Tonkin is Head of Composition and Electronic Music at the UWA Conservatorium of Music. He is an award-winning teacher who brings his industry expertise and passion for composition and performance to his students. A self-declared ‘music history buff’, Dr Tonkin specialises in electronic music and sound...

https://.../christopher-tonkin

Other Teachers

Teachers I have had private composition lesson/s with

Aaron Jay Kernis

Website

Amy Beth Kirsten

Website

Andrew List

Website

Christopher Dobrian

Website

David Ludwig

Website

Donald Crockett

Website

George Tsontakis

Website

Gerard Brophy

Website

Laura Kaminsky

Website

Lawrence Dillon

Website

Melinda Wagner

Website

Marc Mellits

Website

Miguel Del Aguila

Website

Pierre Jalbert

Website

Reiko Fueting

Website

Robert Carl

Website