Martel’s my collaborator in thinking, dreaming and scheming. She and I ran the Autumn Music Festival together at the turn of the century, and out of that was born a friendship I couldn’t do without. Nowadays, Martel and I work together as producer-artist, and thanks to her brilliance, my work travels far and wide, through her company Arts & Parts.
Perth Festival, 2019, Ruth was Writer in Residence, and I had the privilege of being interviewed by her. She’s intellectually brilliant, deeply sensitive, principled, and the best of company. Since then, Ruth has become central to any new idea and work: Breathing Space, Bower, Consort of the Moon, Solveig all have been shaped by her care.
I’ve been in the thrall of Alexis’ books for years. I had the privilege of meeting her through my work with Black Arm Band, and since, she’s generously agreed to lend her visionary words to a couple of projects. Her wisdom is central to Breathing Space: her texts inspired and gave shape to the entire work.
Erkki’s brilliance and kindness were central to A Brief History of Time. He’s a remarkable artist and intellectual, whose compositions I’ve had the pleasure of commissioning, playing, recording, and performing. Co-creating Consort of the Moon with him has been a gift of friendship and creativity.
Lou has a huge heart, and a voice that takes you straight to Country. We had some amazing adventures together through Black Arm Band and Four Winds, and more recently, she contributed her stunning Baiyan Woka to Bower. Lou's also central to Breathing Space, and the project is deeper, more resonant and wiser thanks to her presence and contribution.
I've admired Freya for years, and Consort of the Moon would never have come to life without her brilliant skills as producer. She's passionate about contemporary art and artists, and brings formidable skill and warm, unshakeable ethics to her work.
I treasure the ease I have with Marshall, and our joy in sharing many different musical conversations. He’s a remarkable friend and musician and our duo continues to lead us both down joyful, unusual paths. Bower is a portrait of our more than 20-year collaboration.
Way back in 2010, Paul stepped late into en masse and made an invaluable contribution. More than a decade later, he played a central role in Breathing Space, and has now become a lynchpin in touring Pleasure Garden and Soliloquy. His calm, kindness and skills have only increased in the years since we first began working together.
A gifted designer, and a delightful person, Ashley has worked her magic with many of my projects, turning vague notions into striking and persuasive design. She designed this website, our Finding Our Voice one too, and created the identity for Breathing Space.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard Graham sing: I was transfixed by the intensity of his performance. Now, as director of Arts Management, he plays another role in my life, as a constant source of advice, help and humour, for which I’m so grateful.
Jane’s playing insists that you rethink what's possible on a bassoon. When she plays, music speaks, rather than the instrument, and it comes alive in formidably intelligent, passionate ways. I marvel at the life Jane's created for herself and at her magnificently quirky sense of humour.
Man with a beautiful mind, a passion for music, and ears and heart wide open, Paul’s someone whose judgement I often call upon, and whose books are a source of wonder. He’s also a fabulous cook and host, and many glorious evenings have been spent around his table.
Kirsty’s a musician with highly attuned sensibilities and an ability to play exactly as she is – with warmth, intelligence, and whole-hearted commitment. She’s also a person of acute intellect, and a passion for the big picture, who makes countless contributions to our community's cultural life.
My duo with Poul is a touchstone. It helps me define what is important, not just in music. He’s a kindred spirit, and our first twenty years of playing together are simply a prelude for the next twenty!
Sophie is a free spirit, able to turn her many creative gifts to pretty much anything. She imagined and brought the nutty Recorder Queen character into being, and together, we made her (my) story into a short film. It was beautiful to see this released in 2020, and now to watch her travelling far and wide.
Clare produced Recorder Queen. She’s a woman of integrity, generosity and passion, and she’s a dear, invaluable part of Recorder Queen. She was extraordinarily tenacious and faithful, bringing the film to life, over its seven years of making.
James is a musician with whom I feel anything is possible. Our album Heard this and thought of you, was released in 2015, and we've been on countless musical adventures together since.
I’d been a huge fan of Sunny for years before we had the chance to work together in Finding Our Voice and Breathing Space. She brings exceptional compassion, integrity and kindness to every person, and every note of music she’s in contact with, and the results are incredibly moving.
Vahideh’s an astonishing musician, a woman of great intellect and passion. Her exquisite playing brought such beauty to Breathing Space. I love working alongside her, and being an occasional sounding board for her own brilliant compositional and creative work.
Will and I go back a good 20 years, with so many intersecting paths, shared friends and musical moments, from far north Queensland with John Rodgers, via Four Winds with Delmae Barton, to his recent work for Finding Our Voice. He’s a leader in every sense, and I’m proud to call him a friend.
Gelareh brought her stunning musicianship to Finding Our Voice. She's a woman of passionate intelligence and convictions, who we are so fortunate to have in our midst in Australia.
Deb and I have worked together from Moscow to Brisbane, conspiring on music from the 17th-21st centuries. She is a woman and musician of uncommon grace and gravitas, and is central to Consort of the Moon.
Austin has a stunning voice, a glorious intellect and imagination. He’s central to Consort of the Moon, and it’s a joy to be in his presence.
Consort of Melbourne are a joy to know, to hear, and to work alongside. Central to Breathing Space, and Consort of the Moon, their sound and their presence, both as people and musicians, bring such life and light to a project.
Sophie’s a musician I’ve admired for years, who I occasionally have the joy of working alongside. We co-curated The Beginning of the World for Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Sophie’s orchestra, and hearing her in action as a leader was a lesson in kindness, musical intelligence and clarity.
Mat and I met on the advisory group for A New Approach. During the pandemic, he invited me to create a sound installation for the National Museum of Australia (NMA). Breathing Space emerged from that opportunity: an extraordinary gift of employment for so many musicians, through very challenging times. We're all remain happily in debt to NMA and Mat.
A beautiful artist, Paula brought to en masse not just her exquisite costume design eye, but an acute perception of the spirit and essence of the work and its preoccupations. More recently, she joined us for Bower, which reminded me how much I love being in her company, so she was central to our Finding Our Voice team too.
Our duo goes back further than any other, and our friendship is central to me. My apprenticeship in baroque music began in Linda’s living room as a teenager, but she has taught me much more than that. Recently, we've had the joy of working closely again, on Breathing Space, where Linda's art, sounds, and remarkable mind all have been central to the project.
Mark and I shared many an adventure with Black Arm Band, and more recently, he created a stunning work with Erkki Veltheim for Finding Our Voice. It was so moving to hear his storytelling alongside his unparalleled playing.
Collaborator over many years, through Surman’s Three Landscapes to Black Arm Band and much more, Jude’s a producer with a beautifully considered way of seeing the world, who gives genuinely wise counsel. More recently, she was an invaluable part of the Finding Our Voice team.
Deborah is the artist behind all the Finding Our Voice films — a heroic labor of love, and great testament to her commitment to music, and all the artists we commissioned. They’re such beautiful portraits of musicians at work, and we were so fortunate to have Deborah as part of our team.
A brilliant communicator, Rosie's passion for stories, people and music makes her a delight, and a huge asset on any project. Central to our Finding Our Voice team, Rosie brought her considerable skills to bear on a complex, epic project.
Jakub was the sound magician behind Finding Our Voice, bringing to our project glorious live sound, and sumptuous recordings for our films. He's someone who cares passionately about his work, and the people he works with, and brings to both exceptional skill and integrity.
Amos makes gripping, deeply thought and felt work. It's radical and beautiful, uncompromising on many fronts. We’ve been hovering around a collaboration for years now, and I can't wait for it to land.
Paul wrote me into Shirley Avenue, with Scott Tinkler and Niko Schauble, way back when I felt a complete imposter in the company of improvisers. He was also generous enough to commission en masse for his first Adelaide Festival, something for which I will always be thankful. Nowadays, we’re working together on Solveig.
A gracious, generous man, Steven’s an essential part of Solveig. Always poetic in his response to the natural world, he’s passionate about his work as an Antarctic scientist, and brings great depth and knowledge to our collaboration.
As a reader, I’m humbled by Chloe. Hers is an uncanny intelligence, an extraordinary imagination, and exceptional heart. As a collaborator, I can’t believe my luck.
Working alongside Aura as part of FutureMakers was a rare privilege. A beautiful pianist, deep and radical thinker, gifted collaborator, she’s an inspiring colleague.
Kath’s an astonishing shape shifter, with a heart and mind of beautiful integrity. We worked first on Heard this and thought of you, then devised and perform All the Hemispheres. Kath's also been an invaluable collaborator and advisor on Breathing Space and Finding Our Voice, and we look forward to a long creative partnership ahead.
Louise volunteered to be a participant in Soliloquy, and we had a beautiful time sharing a stage. I clicked on her email footer afterwards to discover her gorgeous art-making life. She and Gracia created sumptuous artwork and design for Bower, and I loved every minute working with them. They even lent me some for this website — thank you!
Steph was central to the creation of Soliloquy. Mesmerising dancer, gifted choreographer, she’s also the loveliest of people. It was a rare pleasure, inhabiting Telemann’s fantasias with Steph, bringing them to life in a whole new way in her presence.
Gideon and I created one infinity together, and the experience was so inspiring, we created Soliloquy soon after. He’s brave and singular, and his work is achingly beautiful.
Playing with Karin is like playing with a sister – very little needs to be spoken. When you meet an artist like this, their wholehearted commitment to music insists that you become your best self. It’s a gift, as is Karin.
Gentle and whimsical, just like Max, Minutia is the first piece of Max’s that I encountered, which I recorded for weaver of fictions. Since then, we've created the music for one infinity with Jun Tian Fang, which was an entirely glorious collaboration.
A pianist, musician, and woman I take to heart, Sonya's passion for music and life is bountiful. It’s been electrifying to witness her continual deepening of her artistry and her ever-expanding spheres of influence, as she inspires audiences, collaborators, and a new generation of artists.
Recorder player, composer, creative instigator, Rhia’s an inspiring woman who leads and enables life-changing work in London. We met when she was 10, and I knew right away she was a keeper!
Alex and I have known one another since he was a child, when I would appear at his family home for recorder lessons with my beloved teacher, Alex's mother, Ruth Wilkinson. It's a joy now to be working with Alex as a sound engineer, where he brings to every listening experience the musicianship, intelligence and sensitivity that run deep in his DNA.
Michaela produced the premiere of Soliloquy and worked alongside me in Future Makers. She’s an amazing producer, and a woman of great integrity. Her commitment to art and artists is inspiring, and a force to be reckoned with, in the very best sense.
Working with Jo is a privilege. She makes exquisite recorders, and many of the beautiful instruments I play are her creations. We share an obsessively attentive love for the sound of the recorder, and her sensibilities have shaped mine, over decades.
Being on a board that Rupert chairs is a masterclass in grace and altruism in action. All delivered with the lightest of touches, his is a remarkable mind and ability to bring people together for the greater good.
Kate leads A New Approach with incredible verve. She's acutely intelligent, fabulously persuasive, and a woman of great warmth and integrity. It's a privilege to be in her orbit.
Margaret’s a woman of far-reaching intelligence, with a deep commitment to the common good. She was central to Finding Our Voice, and was a invaluable member of the leadership team for FutureMakers.
Elizabeth’s sensibilities and mine are deeply linked. She takes stunning photos, and is a wonderful storyteller. Her photos are an integral part of upon a time.
Musicians I love dearly, and with whom I have a deep affinity, Neal and Danny are extraordinarily sensitive people, with an ability to bring warmth, laughter, generosity to any project, and any situation.
Being surrounded by the extraordinary musicians of the ACO is exhilarating. I’ve had the honour of playing multiple seasons as soloist with them: classic baroque concertos through to pieces written for us, including Erkki-Sven Tüür’s stunning Whistles and Whispers from Uluru, and we have exciting plans ahead.
Andrea dreamt up our Three Lanes trio and has written a series of beautifully expressive works for me over the last years. She’s brave, incredibly talented, and constantly searching. I’m so grateful to have been invited into her world.
John helps me to be brave. He’s a musician I love, with ears and mind that defy description. His brilliance is so gentle and kind that it’s easily possible to be vulnerable with him, and out of this, to learn so much.
Maddie, Tim and I first worked together on The Seagull, for Four Winds. Since, we've each inhabited a shed for Acoustic Life of Sheds, they composed a piece for our Bower, and then created their gently transformative DarkQuiet for Finding Our Voice.
Bass voice and recorder are not an obvious pairing, but when you meet a musician and person with whom you have such empathy, you have to find ways to work together. So — we do.
Gus makes exquisite films, with an ability to capture the essence of whatever subject he’s contemplating. He’s also endlessly kind and generous with his skill and time.
Eugene and I have been contemporaries for decades. He's an artist with a stunning imagination, and an ability to conjure exquisite sounds from the most unexpected sources. He and Speak Percussion made brilliant, central contributions to Breathing Space.
I’d admired Matthias’ work for years before a joyful chapter working together as part of FutureMakers. His is such a distinct, refined voice, and it’s brilliant seeing his work flourish, also as one of our Finding Our Voice commissions.
Creating UKARIA 24 together with Alison in 2016 was the beginnings of a significant collaborative relationship. She’s passionate, strategically brilliant, and has an unshakable commitment to classical music.
Ulrike’s a bold risk taker, who has wrapped her life around a profound love for music. Her generosity in sharing that is remarkable, embodied in UKARIA.
Toby has a beautiful intelligence and a marvellous willingness to embrace others' ideas. He brings thought, care and considerable skill to his many roles as facilitator, champion and programmer of classical music. Collaborating with him is a delight.
Stev and I have worked together in many contexts, most formatively as co-conspirators for A Brief History of Time. He has a rare gift with people, and takes remarkable care of anyone in his orbit.
one infinity was Ziyin’s beautiful brainchild. Ziyin’s spent the best part of a lifetime creating connections between Australia and China, and we are so much the richer for her generosity and cultural leadership.
Guardian angel of artists and the arts, Carrillo is an inspiring and tireless advocate for culture. Be it deft moves behind the scenes, or public campaigns, he does whatever it takes to create opportunities, audiences, and income for artists.
Jess was the associate producer for one infinity and a fantastic advisor and sounding board forBreathing Space. She’s an exceptional colleague, the embodiment of grace and intelligence in her ability to move seamlessly between cultures, languages, contexts.
Ruth taught me as an undergraduate, and I cannot imagine a more enabling teacher. I owe a great deal to her, and because of who she is, it never feels like a debt. I love that our relationship has transformed from my role as student to friend and colleague, which speaks of characteristic grace and generosity on her part.
Brad’s someone with a formidable intellect and capacity. He’s deeply musical, and passionate about music’s role in our society. As board colleague, conductor, collaborator, technological entrepreneur, friend, he’s an inspiring presence.
Silja is a pianist and organist, with one of the most beautiful creative minds I know. She and her family adopted me in Denmark, and that’s for life — as far as I’m concerned.
When I lived in Denmark, I met Laura and her beautiful work. She’s someone with whom I have endless affinity, and she generously created the poetic artwork for two, which is indicative of her incredible sensitivity and skill.
Steven created the space in which en masse could be made. He's a central person in my transformation from player to creator, and I’ll always be grateful to him for his leap of faith, and his generosity in creating opportunities for me to risk and flourish.
Virginia took me into her agency in the early days of my professional career as a musician, and for that, I'll always be grateful. She was a guardian angel, full of wise counsel that still informs my decisions, years down the track.
Beautiful person and producer, Kara takes exceptional care with artists, ideas, and audiences, and has generously hosted multiple projects in the glorious Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. She’s a dear and treasured colleague, gently brilliant at her job.
Pia is a gifted artist and thinker, who takes remarkable portraits. It's a pleasure being in her company — her photos catch the feel and flow of the conversation, which gives them such life and integrity.
Generous, fearless, a brilliant leader and role model, Mary is an inspiring example of a life lived with integrity and intelligence. She also has a marvellous sense of humour and gives great advice on learning to say no!
Sally and I worked together on the Australian Music Centre board. Her unfailingly clear head, warmth and humour, generosity and integrity make her an invaluable friend, colleague and role model.
Composer, curator, public intellectual and philanthropist, Kim’s a passionate champion of Australian culture. Without his support, we would not have been able to complete Recorder Queen, and we’re so grateful to him for bringing this labor of love to audiences around the globe.
Passionately devoted to classical music, Mary Jo has shaped her life around creating space for music to flourish. She's been incredibly generous and supportive of me, as I know she has been for many others.
Beautiful musician, deeply thoughtful man, Phil and I worked together first on a Hush album, then on Andy Ford’s Untuning the Sky, onto The Acoustic Life of Sheds, Ukaria 24, and most recently, Breathing Space. As you can see, I can't get enough of listening to his stunning sound and musicianship.
Jim and I worked closely together for more than twenty years, on projects as diverse as recording classic repertoire, experimenting with new ways to amplify and manipulate sound, and creating a raft of large-scale, multi-artform works. Jim is an essential collaborator and friend.
Wise and generous, a voracious reader and deep thinker, Chris embodies leadership. Hers is collaborative — it comes from listening, and it’s remarkably free of ego.
I wrote to Jennifer on spec, in the depths of Covid. I’d loved her books, and was working on a new album, inspired by bowerbirds. I wondered if she’d consider contributing with an essay. To my delight, she accepted, creating touching and erudite liner notes for Bower.
Harriet has a way of sizing up not just colours, shapes, textures that will suit you when she’s dreaming up costumes, but an uncanny way of divining something of your spirit. Central to both one infinity and Soliloquy, I really look forward to what’s ahead for our collaboration.
Jan and I created the music for Pleasure Garden together, in his magical studio in Norway. He’s a true collaborator – generous, open-hearted and minded, uncompromising and brilliant.
Elena wrote Re-Inventions for me, and they’re infused with her vivacity and lyricism. I’ve travelled far and wide with Elena’s joyful music, and hope I always will — this glorious piece has given me, and so many people, such hope and delight.
Bob's recorded and produced sound in many contexts for me, as well as being the co-composer of the haunting Miss Genevieve's Nocturne, with Brett Dean. He has remarkable ears, and is always up for new adventures, most recently, joining us for Soliloquy.
Making en masse together with Marc was a turning point in my life. Marc's possessed by a need to uncover and tell stories. He’s brave, tireless, capable of great poetry, and I loved creating with him.
Dear and trusted colleague, Tim and I worked closely together designing and delivering FutureMakers. He’s an insightful and compassionate man, who takes beautiful care with people.
Katherine lends her considerable intelligence to a life spent serving music, and enabling others. Thanks to Katherine, Erkki Sven Tuur’s Whistles and Whispers concerto exists, and many other things beside.
Em has a voice and a presence that hold your heart to account. She sings and lives with deep integrity. I feel honoured to have worked alongside her, and rapt to call her a friend.
Deline is music embodied. She has a voice and way of singing that open your senses and soul, and go straight to what’s important.
It was a privilege and joy to play with the Black Arm Band. From Thursday Island to Vancouver, and so many places in between, working alongside the amazing cast of collaborators that made up this ensemble shaped me deeply.
Sophia's was the heart and mind central to The Namatjira project. She worked tirelessly, with endless compassion, grace and strategic acumen, to make significant social change, and deeply moving art.
Scott invited me into his Big hART world for Namatjira. Working together demanded of me things I had not thought possible, so it expanded me in extraordinary ways. Scott's a visionary and an agitator, and the way he sees the world is a beautiful call to action.
I met this company in 2008, and began working with them in 2010, first on Namatjira, then Acoustic Life of Sheds. It is no exaggeration to say that they changed my life.
Some of my favourite memories from touring Namatjira are of Derik, holding the room in thrall. He's a brilliant artist, and a profoundly sensitive man.
Trevor and I worked together in Namatjira. Rarely have I shared a stage with someone with such presence, grace, and generosity.
Davo created the remarkable Namatjira documentary. She’s a filmmaker whose poetic cinematography reveals layers most of us don't notice. And, she’s a brave, beautifully uncompromising woman, with a particularly subversive take on life.
A gentle, understated man, Andrew produced Acoustic Life of Sheds with a feather-light touch. Quietly making himself invisible, he created opportunities, conversations, relationships and artworks that wouldn’t exist without him.
I will forever be grateful to Paul, Bruce and the ABO for welcoming me home when I returned to Australia after my years in Europe. They created an opportunity that led to so many others, and to years of joyful music making.
Working with this community from 2008-2012 was an experience that was profoundly formative, and what I learnt during my tenure as Artistic Director continues to inform and shape my work and thinking.
My conversations and collaborations with dear Flinders go back decades now. Elena Kats-Chernin’s gorgeous Re-Inventions was written for us, as well as Sculthorpe’s Song for Neilma, Paul Grabowsky’s, The Nightingale and the Rose and Stuart Greenbaum’s Translations.
Thanks to an introduction from the Gantners, Jun Tian Fang invited me into their richly beautiful world in 2015. I learnt so much from them about ancient, classical Chinese culture, and this ensemble were the inspiration for, and heart of one infinity. Their musicianship, and particularly their relationship with silence, have changed the way I listen and play.
Dynamic, passionate, unswervingly committed to creating and performing brilliant new work, Dance North are inspiring colleagues and collaborators, who were central to one infinity.
Gifted artist, generous man. Marshall McGuire and I played for one of Brook’s exhibitions some years back, and it was stunning to be making sound amid his powerful work. Most recently, he gave me the gift of a series of artworks for my CD Line Drawings – they’re exquisite.
Writer, artist and photographer, Sarah brings her acute sensibilities and intelligence to anything she does. Her performance and rehearsal photos take you straight to the essence and experience of the work.
A beautiful musician with imagination to burn, Katie makes opportunities for others. She's a joy to play and spend time with, and watching her create her generous life in music is inspiring.
David brings experience, integrity and intelligence to anything he does, alongside a beautiful calm, and a remarkably clear head.
Caroline has given me great counsel in many situations. She’s warm and compassionate, highly intelligent, unwaveringly ethical. I trust and admire her deeply.
Amrita and I met on Rising's Council of Good Ideas, where her intelligence and creative acumen were strikingly impressive. It's thrilling to see her life in art go from strength to strength.
Beautiful curator and person, Jeff’s a deeply thoughtful man. We met on Rising’s Council of Good Ideas, and I’ve been honoured to work alongside Jeff since, sharing ideas for music for the festival of experimental art, Liveworks.
Musician, composer, producer, Jared’s passion for sharing music and his love for it is contagious. He did a brilliant research assistant job on Breathing Space, and I look forward to whatever's ahead.
I first met Phoebe as a brilliant young violinist, and soon discovered she had a mind and heart to match. She's played an essential role in this website, and I hope there's more ahead for us.
Liza’s weaver-of-fictions is a composition of stunning eloquence. Playing this, the long forgetting, and The Navigator are musical experiences that define a chapter of my life.
Playing Erkki-Sven’s Whistles and Whispers from Uluru is like stepping into a world of pure sound and thought, minutely traced. I perform this piece with such joy – Erkki wrote it for me and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and I’ve since played it in many countries, as well as recording it with brilliant Olari Elts and Tapiola Sinfonietta for Ondine.
With characteristic grace and generosity, John lent me his In the Distance for an early recording, and then, wrote me into the perfectly pastoral Three Landscapes. Playing Three Landscapes with him at the London Jazz Festival in 2014, to celebrate his 70th, was such an honour.
Publications editor at ABC, Natalie and I have worked closely for years now. She brings exquisite care to every CD booklet, making the most out of every detail with her passionate attentiveness.
Ros is an inspiring role model for creating and walking your own path. She’s also extremely generous, and has shared scores, ideas and many a wonderful conversation over the years.
Jane commissioned Pleasure Garden. Her generosity and trust allowed an idea that had been brewing for decades to come to life. For that huge gift, I’ll always be grateful.
Photographer, dancer, gardener, Gregory’s a beautiful person. When he walks into a room, you feel lighter, and when you’re in his care as photographer of a work you’ve poured your heart into, you know he’ll meet that passion with his own.
I’ve admired Robin’s work for years. I was over the moon when he agreed to join the creative team for Pleasure Garden, where his warm, gentle presence and quiet brilliance were invaluable.
Karlin’s skills, ideals, and life are all beautifully aligned. She worked closely with us on FutureMakers, and we learnt a great deal from her, as well as enjoying her company enormously.
Hollis and I have been working with her pied butcherbirds for some years now. They and she are miraculous musicians, and her compositions are a joy to play. She wrote the concerto Absolute Bird for me, which I’ve played in Adelaide, Melbourne, London.
Damian and I first worked together in 2002, and he’s written a series of beautiful pieces for me that have travelled far and wide, including Shadow Box, for heard this and thought of you. He’s endlessly inventive, always alight with his next creative project.
Pete designed and solved scores of complex technical challenges for en masse, and brought to each of them a gentle, thoughtful artistry. He designed the Pleasure Garden website, and often gives great advice about art, tech and design solutions.
Keith has an extraordinary ability to help me relax and be myself when he’s taking photos. As a result, his portraits feel truthful and confident.
Co-founder of my first ensemble, treasured friend and musician.
A beacon of light and integrity, Bec brings brilliance and deep kindness to any project and person in her orbit.
Classmates from my Danish days, these women befriended me, and taught me so much. Hearing them play reminds me of everything I love about my instrument, and all that I have yet to learn.
Åsa’s a beautiful mezzo-soprano, a woman of intelligence, intensity and passion. We met when we were both studying in Switzerland, and she performed in my final exam in Denmark – formative times.
Jessica and I met in Basel, as students at the hallowed Schola Cantorum. Already formidably multi-skilled as a young woman, her capacity for learning is astonishing, and her courage in setting her own course is inspiring.
Dan’s the teacher who insisted that I dare try to become a musician. Without him, I would not be a recorder player. His recordings still stop me in my tracks.
Sometimes, you're lucky enough to meet people who lead you to discover what might be possible in life. Helen was my recorder teacher through school. She opened a universe for me, which I’m still exploring.
Linda supervised my doctorate, wisely and inspiringly. Conversations with her formed a backbone of my thinking, and I’m very grateful to Linda for that chapter of my life, and her central role in it.
The first piece of music that I premiered was Amanda’s Phoenix Songs. Working with Amanda was so positive and formative an experience that composers and new music have been central to my life ever since.
I had the great pleasure of premiering Iain’s opera The Riders in 2014. Iain’s music is a fine portrait of him – it’s warm, lyrical, intelligent, and fluent in multiple musical languages.
A musician and composer of deep sensitivity and insight, who has had profound influence on many. In 2019, I had the honour of commissioning Deirdre to write a piece for the celebration of the centenary of St Mary’s College, University of Melbourne.
Stephen produced all of my early recordings. I trust and respect him deeply as a result, not to mention his beautifully honed sensibilities and musicianship.
Umberto accepted my invitation to join an unusual cast of characters for UKARIA 24 in 2016. We played again late in 2021, after the long Covid drought, and to be in the presence of his wit and deeply expressive musicianship was balm to the soul.
I have such strong memories of recording A Midnight Dream of Summer, Jason coaxing unexpected sounds out of me as he urged me to experiment further and further. He's a remarkable musician.
Way back at the turn of the century, in my first job as Artistic Director, Peter was a wise and generous mentor. He’s gone on to play this role for multiple people in my life, always with intelligence, integrity and great kindness.
Steve wrote me a beautiful piece called et døgn, which I recorded for weaver of fictions, and have played across the world since. He was also central to the electroacoustic score for en masse.
I was so thrilled when Nicola agreed to create the artwork for weaver of fictions. She and I both grew up in Ballarat, and our connection goes back a long way.
Dave designed my original website. More importantly, conversations with Dave over several decades have shaped who I am, and how I see the world.
I love exchanging thoughts and books with John, talking of life and art. We created Arrivals together with Stephen Grant.
Peter and I worked together on my first festival, Four Winds, where I first understood how transformative beautiful design can be. Then, UKARIA 24, and Line Drawings. Peter's a poetic artist, whose sensitive work is a fine mirror for his character.
Stephen’s a designer with a truly conceptual mind, and a contemporary, poetic aesthetic. He worked on FutureMakers and Pleasure Garden, and I look forward to whenever next we collaborate.
Brett is a composer whose work I admire hugely, so I was rapt when he and Bob Scott created Miss Genevieve’s Nocturne for my weaver of fictions album, which I've since played far and wide.
I've been listening to Lachlan for years, and I was excited when he decided to write a piece for bass recorder and string quartet in 2020. It’s tender, and quietly expressive.
A woman of integrity and considerable musical acumen, Jessica is a conductor I admire. She brings gravitas to a room, and has a real gift for infusing music with clarity and life.
A man with a remarkable mind, generous with his formidable knowledge and creative ideas.
Tim and Francesca took me into their lives during my Four Winds chapter. Conversations around their table and beyond fed and sustained me.
Paul’s musicianship is direct, starkly expressive. Working alongside him in Conversations with Ghosts inspired me to try to find that same stripped back truthfulness in my own playing.
Jim’s written me into many scores: Line Drawing, Folk Song, New Tricks for Old Dogs, Conversations with Ghosts, and Distraction. I feel very fortunate to play a part in his musical language.
Heide takes exceptional portraits. She has an ability to capture your essence, not just how you look.
Lindy was extremely supportive in my early days of learning how to work as an artistic director. She’s a striking role model, and I'm very grateful for her counsel and her kindness.
Dan and I created Nest together, as part of my year in residence at Melbourne Recital Centre in 2018. His is a singular imagination, and his musicality and intelligence made for fertile collaboration.
I live with one of Heather’s paintings. It brings me daily sustenance, and infuses the house with light. Heather was kind enough to gift Ophelia to the album cover of Soliloquy.
Andy was our director for heard this and thought of you. A born storyteller, an unashamed romantic, a deeply intuitive and good man, it’s a pleasure to know and work alongside him.
Joe's a beautifully understated musician, a man of many skills. He moves across different musical worlds, and I’m so glad to have met him in one of them – he and I play together in Three Lanes, with Andrea Keller.
Jana juggles more than most of us can with care and apparent ease. She’s a colleague I respect deeply, and was an invaluable team member on the Australian Music Centre board.
John and Astra have been inspiring me for years, and whenever I can, I sit in their audience. Sometimes, when I’m really lucky, I play with them.
I worked for years with Elision: from Moscow to Paris, Berlin, London, Melbourne and Brisbane, and the almost yearly meeting at Huddersfield. I learnt a huge amount in the company of these outstanding, hilarious colleagues, who shaped me in such important ways.
Ben, Andy and I, together with Jim Atkins, created fade, having also collaborated on Conversations with Ghosts. I love their clean, pure aesthetic.
ANAM brims with talent, and being in the presence of such pure energy is inspiring. I’ve played with ANAM musicians in multiple projects (Conversations with Ghosts included), and mentored many young musicians across the years.
Arcadia were our first FutureMakers artists. They're infectiously optimistic, passionate about Australian music and their role in shaping it.
An invaluable organisation, I’m very proud to have been the Chair of the board of the Australian Music Centre from 2016-2021, and a board member for many years prior.
Moritz composed me an extraordinary piece called alien for weaver of fictions. His recorder works are legendary, and as a player, take you to places you had thought shouldn’t exist.
Monty takes gorgeous photos, even sometimes ones of me that I like – miraculous!
Oren and I played together in Ian Wilson’s 2011 Sligo Festival, which took us both into unchartered territory. I loved the gentle experience of us finding a common language.
Unsung hero of en masse and Four Winds 2012, Michael is a brilliant production manager.
Lawrence was a central character in the musical creation of en masse. He generously welcomed me into new musical worlds, sharing colleagues, skills, ideas.
Andy wrote Bagpipe Music for Marshall McGuire and me. We’ve shared many conversations before and since, on and off The Music Show, and also working on his remarkable Untuning the Sky.
Martel’s my collaborator in thinking, dreaming and scheming. She and I ran the Autumn Music Festival together at the turn of the century, and out of that was born a friendship I couldn’t do without. Nowadays, Martel and I work together as producer-artist, and thanks to her brilliance, my work travels far and wide, through her company Arts & Parts.
Perth Festival, 2019, Ruth was Writer in Residence, and I had the privilege of being interviewed by her. She’s intellectually brilliant, deeply sensitive, principled, and the best of company. Since then, Ruth has become central to any new idea and work: Breathing Space, Bower, Consort of the Moon, Solveig all have been shaped by her care.
I’ve been in the thrall of Alexis’ books for years. I had the privilege of meeting her through my work with Black Arm Band, and since, she’s generously agreed to lend her visionary words to a couple of projects. Her wisdom is central to Breathing Space: her texts inspired and gave shape to the entire work.
Erkki’s brilliance and kindness were central to A Brief History of Time. He’s a remarkable artist and intellectual, whose compositions I’ve had the pleasure of commissioning, playing, recording, and performing. Co-creating Consort of the Moon with him has been a gift of friendship and creativity.
Lou has a huge heart, and a voice that takes you straight to Country. We had some amazing adventures together through Black Arm Band and Four Winds, and more recently, she contributed her stunning Baiyan Woka to Bower. Lou's also central to Breathing Space, and the project is deeper, more resonant and wiser thanks to her presence and contribution.
I've admired Freya for years, and Consort of the Moon would never have come to life without her brilliant skills as producer. She's passionate about contemporary art and artists, and brings formidable skill and warm, unshakeable ethics to her work.
I treasure the ease I have with Marshall, and our joy in sharing many different musical conversations. He’s a remarkable friend and musician and our duo continues to lead us both down joyful, unusual paths. Bower is a portrait of our more than 20-year collaboration.
Way back in 2010, Paul stepped late into en masse and made an invaluable contribution. More than a decade later, he played a central role in Breathing Space, and has now become a lynchpin in touring Pleasure Garden and Soliloquy. His calm, kindness and skills have only increased in the years since we first began working together.
A gifted designer, and a delightful person, Ashley has worked her magic with many of my projects, turning vague notions into striking and persuasive design. She designed this website, our Finding Our Voice one too, and created the identity for Breathing Space.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard Graham sing: I was transfixed by the intensity of his performance. Now, as director of Arts Management, he plays another role in my life, as a constant source of advice, help and humour, for which I’m so grateful.
Jane’s playing insists that you rethink what's possible on a bassoon. When she plays, music speaks, rather than the instrument, and it comes alive in formidably intelligent, passionate ways. I marvel at the life Jane's created for herself and at her magnificently quirky sense of humour.
Man with a beautiful mind, a passion for music, and ears and heart wide open, Paul’s someone whose judgement I often call upon, and whose books are a source of wonder. He’s also a fabulous cook and host, and many glorious evenings have been spent around his table.
Kirsty’s a musician with highly attuned sensibilities and an ability to play exactly as she is – with warmth, intelligence, and whole-hearted commitment. She’s also a person of acute intellect, and a passion for the big picture, who makes countless contributions to our community's cultural life.
My duo with Poul is a touchstone. It helps me define what is important, not just in music. He’s a kindred spirit, and our first twenty years of playing together are simply a prelude for the next twenty!
Sophie is a free spirit, able to turn her many creative gifts to pretty much anything. She imagined and brought the nutty Recorder Queen character into being, and together, we made her (my) story into a short film. It was beautiful to see this released in 2020, and now to watch her travelling far and wide.
Clare produced Recorder Queen. She’s a woman of integrity, generosity and passion, and she’s a dear, invaluable part of Recorder Queen. She was extraordinarily tenacious and faithful, bringing the film to life, over its seven years of making.
James is a musician with whom I feel anything is possible. Our album Heard this and thought of you, was released in 2015, and we've been on countless musical adventures together since.
I’d been a huge fan of Sunny for years before we had the chance to work together in Finding Our Voice and Breathing Space. She brings exceptional compassion, integrity and kindness to every person, and every note of music she’s in contact with, and the results are incredibly moving.
Vahideh’s an astonishing musician, a woman of great intellect and passion. Her exquisite playing brought such beauty to Breathing Space. I love working alongside her, and being an occasional sounding board for her own brilliant compositional and creative work.
Will and I go back a good 20 years, with so many intersecting paths, shared friends and musical moments, from far north Queensland with John Rodgers, via Four Winds with Delmae Barton, to his recent work for Finding Our Voice. He’s a leader in every sense, and I’m proud to call him a friend.
Gelareh brought her stunning musicianship to Finding Our Voice. She's a woman of passionate intelligence and convictions, who we are so fortunate to have in our midst in Australia.
Deb and I have worked together from Moscow to Brisbane, conspiring on music from the 17th-21st centuries. She is a woman and musician of uncommon grace and gravitas, and is central to Consort of the Moon.
Austin has a stunning voice, a glorious intellect and imagination. He’s central to Consort of the Moon, and it’s a joy to be in his presence.
Consort of Melbourne are a joy to know, to hear, and to work alongside. Central to Breathing Space, and Consort of the Moon, their sound and their presence, both as people and musicians, bring such life and light to a project.
Sophie’s a musician I’ve admired for years, who I occasionally have the joy of working alongside. We co-curated The Beginning of the World for Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Sophie’s orchestra, and hearing her in action as a leader was a lesson in kindness, musical intelligence and clarity.
Mat and I met on the advisory group for A New Approach. During the pandemic, he invited me to create a sound installation for the National Museum of Australia (NMA). Breathing Space emerged from that opportunity: an extraordinary gift of employment for so many musicians, through very challenging times. We're all remain happily in debt to NMA and Mat.
A beautiful artist, Paula brought to en masse not just her exquisite costume design eye, but an acute perception of the spirit and essence of the work and its preoccupations. More recently, she joined us for Bower, which reminded me how much I love being in her company, so she was central to our Finding Our Voice team too.
Our duo goes back further than any other, and our friendship is central to me. My apprenticeship in baroque music began in Linda’s living room as a teenager, but she has taught me much more than that. Recently, we've had the joy of working closely again, on Breathing Space, where Linda's art, sounds, and remarkable mind all have been central to the project.
Mark and I shared many an adventure with Black Arm Band, and more recently, he created a stunning work with Erkki Veltheim for Finding Our Voice. It was so moving to hear his storytelling alongside his unparalleled playing.
Collaborator over many years, through Surman’s Three Landscapes to Black Arm Band and much more, Jude’s a producer with a beautifully considered way of seeing the world, who gives genuinely wise counsel. More recently, she was an invaluable part of the Finding Our Voice team.
Deborah is the artist behind all the Finding Our Voice films — a heroic labor of love, and great testament to her commitment to music, and all the artists we commissioned. They’re such beautiful portraits of musicians at work, and we were so fortunate to have Deborah as part of our team.
A brilliant communicator, Rosie's passion for stories, people and music makes her a delight, and a huge asset on any project. Central to our Finding Our Voice team, Rosie brought her considerable skills to bear on a complex, epic project.
Jakub was the sound magician behind Finding Our Voice, bringing to our project glorious live sound, and sumptuous recordings for our films. He's someone who cares passionately about his work, and the people he works with, and brings to both exceptional skill and integrity.
Amos makes gripping, deeply thought and felt work. It's radical and beautiful, uncompromising on many fronts. We’ve been hovering around a collaboration for years now, and I can't wait for it to land.
Paul wrote me into Shirley Avenue, with Scott Tinkler and Niko Schauble, way back when I felt a complete imposter in the company of improvisers. He was also generous enough to commission en masse for his first Adelaide Festival, something for which I will always be thankful. Nowadays, we’re working together on Solveig.
A gracious, generous man, Steven’s an essential part of Solveig. Always poetic in his response to the natural world, he’s passionate about his work as an Antarctic scientist, and brings great depth and knowledge to our collaboration.
As a reader, I’m humbled by Chloe. Hers is an uncanny intelligence, an extraordinary imagination, and exceptional heart. As a collaborator, I can’t believe my luck.
Working alongside Aura as part of FutureMakers was a rare privilege. A beautiful pianist, deep and radical thinker, gifted collaborator, she’s an inspiring colleague.
Kath’s an astonishing shape shifter, with a heart and mind of beautiful integrity. We worked first on Heard this and thought of you, then devised and perform All the Hemispheres. Kath's also been an invaluable collaborator and advisor on Breathing Space and Finding Our Voice, and we look forward to a long creative partnership ahead.
Louise volunteered to be a participant in Soliloquy, and we had a beautiful time sharing a stage. I clicked on her email footer afterwards to discover her gorgeous art-making life. She and Gracia created sumptuous artwork and design for Bower, and I loved every minute working with them. They even lent me some for this website — thank you!
Steph was central to the creation of Soliloquy. Mesmerising dancer, gifted choreographer, she’s also the loveliest of people. It was a rare pleasure, inhabiting Telemann’s fantasias with Steph, bringing them to life in a whole new way in her presence.
Gideon and I created one infinity together, and the experience was so inspiring, we created Soliloquy soon after. He’s brave and singular, and his work is achingly beautiful.
Playing with Karin is like playing with a sister – very little needs to be spoken. When you meet an artist like this, their wholehearted commitment to music insists that you become your best self. It’s a gift, as is Karin.
Gentle and whimsical, just like Max, Minutia is the first piece of Max’s that I encountered, which I recorded for weaver of fictions. Since then, we've created the music for one infinity with Jun Tian Fang, which was an entirely glorious collaboration.
A pianist, musician, and woman I take to heart, Sonya's passion for music and life is bountiful. It’s been electrifying to witness her continual deepening of her artistry and her ever-expanding spheres of influence, as she inspires audiences, collaborators, and a new generation of artists.
Recorder player, composer, creative instigator, Rhia’s an inspiring woman who leads and enables life-changing work in London. We met when she was 10, and I knew right away she was a keeper!
Alex and I have known one another since he was a child, when I would appear at his family home for recorder lessons with my beloved teacher, Alex's mother, Ruth Wilkinson. It's a joy now to be working with Alex as a sound engineer, where he brings to every listening experience the musicianship, intelligence and sensitivity that run deep in his DNA.
Michaela produced the premiere of Soliloquy and worked alongside me in Future Makers. She’s an amazing producer, and a woman of great integrity. Her commitment to art and artists is inspiring, and a force to be reckoned with, in the very best sense.
Working with Jo is a privilege. She makes exquisite recorders, and many of the beautiful instruments I play are her creations. We share an obsessively attentive love for the sound of the recorder, and her sensibilities have shaped mine, over decades.
Being on a board that Rupert chairs is a masterclass in grace and altruism in action. All delivered with the lightest of touches, his is a remarkable mind and ability to bring people together for the greater good.
Kate leads A New Approach with incredible verve. She's acutely intelligent, fabulously persuasive, and a woman of great warmth and integrity. It's a privilege to be in her orbit.
Margaret’s a woman of far-reaching intelligence, with a deep commitment to the common good. She was central to Finding Our Voice, and was a invaluable member of the leadership team for FutureMakers.
Elizabeth’s sensibilities and mine are deeply linked. She takes stunning photos, and is a wonderful storyteller. Her photos are an integral part of upon a time.
Musicians I love dearly, and with whom I have a deep affinity, Neal and Danny are extraordinarily sensitive people, with an ability to bring warmth, laughter, generosity to any project, and any situation.
Being surrounded by the extraordinary musicians of the ACO is exhilarating. I’ve had the honour of playing multiple seasons as soloist with them: classic baroque concertos through to pieces written for us, including Erkki-Sven Tüür’s stunning Whistles and Whispers from Uluru, and we have exciting plans ahead.
Andrea dreamt up our Three Lanes trio and has written a series of beautifully expressive works for me over the last years. She’s brave, incredibly talented, and constantly searching. I’m so grateful to have been invited into her world.
John helps me to be brave. He’s a musician I love, with ears and mind that defy description. His brilliance is so gentle and kind that it’s easily possible to be vulnerable with him, and out of this, to learn so much.
Maddie, Tim and I first worked together on The Seagull, for Four Winds. Since, we've each inhabited a shed for Acoustic Life of Sheds, they composed a piece for our Bower, and then created their gently transformative DarkQuiet for Finding Our Voice.
Bass voice and recorder are not an obvious pairing, but when you meet a musician and person with whom you have such empathy, you have to find ways to work together. So — we do.
Gus makes exquisite films, with an ability to capture the essence of whatever subject he’s contemplating. He’s also endlessly kind and generous with his skill and time.
Eugene and I have been contemporaries for decades. He's an artist with a stunning imagination, and an ability to conjure exquisite sounds from the most unexpected sources. He and Speak Percussion made brilliant, central contributions to Breathing Space.
I’d admired Matthias’ work for years before a joyful chapter working together as part of FutureMakers. His is such a distinct, refined voice, and it’s brilliant seeing his work flourish, also as one of our Finding Our Voice commissions.
Creating UKARIA 24 together with Alison in 2016 was the beginnings of a significant collaborative relationship. She’s passionate, strategically brilliant, and has an unshakable commitment to classical music.
Ulrike’s a bold risk taker, who has wrapped her life around a profound love for music. Her generosity in sharing that is remarkable, embodied in UKARIA.
Toby has a beautiful intelligence and a marvellous willingness to embrace others' ideas. He brings thought, care and considerable skill to his many roles as facilitator, champion and programmer of classical music. Collaborating with him is a delight.
Stev and I have worked together in many contexts, most formatively as co-conspirators for A Brief History of Time. He has a rare gift with people, and takes remarkable care of anyone in his orbit.
one infinity was Ziyin’s beautiful brainchild. Ziyin’s spent the best part of a lifetime creating connections between Australia and China, and we are so much the richer for her generosity and cultural leadership.
Guardian angel of artists and the arts, Carrillo is an inspiring and tireless advocate for culture. Be it deft moves behind the scenes, or public campaigns, he does whatever it takes to create opportunities, audiences, and income for artists.
Jess was the associate producer for one infinity and a fantastic advisor and sounding board forBreathing Space. She’s an exceptional colleague, the embodiment of grace and intelligence in her ability to move seamlessly between cultures, languages, contexts.
Ruth taught me as an undergraduate, and I cannot imagine a more enabling teacher. I owe a great deal to her, and because of who she is, it never feels like a debt. I love that our relationship has transformed from my role as student to friend and colleague, which speaks of characteristic grace and generosity on her part.
Brad’s someone with a formidable intellect and capacity. He’s deeply musical, and passionate about music’s role in our society. As board colleague, conductor, collaborator, technological entrepreneur, friend, he’s an inspiring presence.
Silja is a pianist and organist, with one of the most beautiful creative minds I know. She and her family adopted me in Denmark, and that’s for life — as far as I’m concerned.
When I lived in Denmark, I met Laura and her beautiful work. She’s someone with whom I have endless affinity, and she generously created the poetic artwork for two, which is indicative of her incredible sensitivity and skill.
Steven created the space in which en masse could be made. He's a central person in my transformation from player to creator, and I’ll always be grateful to him for his leap of faith, and his generosity in creating opportunities for me to risk and flourish.
Virginia took me into her agency in the early days of my professional career as a musician, and for that, I'll always be grateful. She was a guardian angel, full of wise counsel that still informs my decisions, years down the track.
Beautiful person and producer, Kara takes exceptional care with artists, ideas, and audiences, and has generously hosted multiple projects in the glorious Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. She’s a dear and treasured colleague, gently brilliant at her job.
Pia is a gifted artist and thinker, who takes remarkable portraits. It's a pleasure being in her company — her photos catch the feel and flow of the conversation, which gives them such life and integrity.
Generous, fearless, a brilliant leader and role model, Mary is an inspiring example of a life lived with integrity and intelligence. She also has a marvellous sense of humour and gives great advice on learning to say no!
Sally and I worked together on the Australian Music Centre board. Her unfailingly clear head, warmth and humour, generosity and integrity make her an invaluable friend, colleague and role model.
Composer, curator, public intellectual and philanthropist, Kim’s a passionate champion of Australian culture. Without his support, we would not have been able to complete Recorder Queen, and we’re so grateful to him for bringing this labor of love to audiences around the globe.
Passionately devoted to classical music, Mary Jo has shaped her life around creating space for music to flourish. She's been incredibly generous and supportive of me, as I know she has been for many others.
Beautiful musician, deeply thoughtful man, Phil and I worked together first on a Hush album, then on Andy Ford’s Untuning the Sky, onto The Acoustic Life of Sheds, Ukaria 24, and most recently, Breathing Space. As you can see, I can't get enough of listening to his stunning sound and musicianship.
Jim and I worked closely together for more than twenty years, on projects as diverse as recording classic repertoire, experimenting with new ways to amplify and manipulate sound, and creating a raft of large-scale, multi-artform works. Jim is an essential collaborator and friend.
Wise and generous, a voracious reader and deep thinker, Chris embodies leadership. Hers is collaborative — it comes from listening, and it’s remarkably free of ego.
I wrote to Jennifer on spec, in the depths of Covid. I’d loved her books, and was working on a new album, inspired by bowerbirds. I wondered if she’d consider contributing with an essay. To my delight, she accepted, creating touching and erudite liner notes for Bower.
Harriet has a way of sizing up not just colours, shapes, textures that will suit you when she’s dreaming up costumes, but an uncanny way of divining something of your spirit. Central to both one infinity and Soliloquy, I really look forward to what’s ahead for our collaboration.
Jan and I created the music for Pleasure Garden together, in his magical studio in Norway. He’s a true collaborator – generous, open-hearted and minded, uncompromising and brilliant.
Elena wrote Re-Inventions for me, and they’re infused with her vivacity and lyricism. I’ve travelled far and wide with Elena’s joyful music, and hope I always will — this glorious piece has given me, and so many people, such hope and delight.
Bob's recorded and produced sound in many contexts for me, as well as being the co-composer of the haunting Miss Genevieve's Nocturne, with Brett Dean. He has remarkable ears, and is always up for new adventures, most recently, joining us for Soliloquy.
Making en masse together with Marc was a turning point in my life. Marc's possessed by a need to uncover and tell stories. He’s brave, tireless, capable of great poetry, and I loved creating with him.
Dear and trusted colleague, Tim and I worked closely together designing and delivering FutureMakers. He’s an insightful and compassionate man, who takes beautiful care with people.
Katherine lends her considerable intelligence to a life spent serving music, and enabling others. Thanks to Katherine, Erkki Sven Tuur’s Whistles and Whispers concerto exists, and many other things beside.
Em has a voice and a presence that hold your heart to account. She sings and lives with deep integrity. I feel honoured to have worked alongside her, and rapt to call her a friend.
Deline is music embodied. She has a voice and way of singing that open your senses and soul, and go straight to what’s important.
It was a privilege and joy to play with the Black Arm Band. From Thursday Island to Vancouver, and so many places in between, working alongside the amazing cast of collaborators that made up this ensemble shaped me deeply.
Sophia's was the heart and mind central to The Namatjira project. She worked tirelessly, with endless compassion, grace and strategic acumen, to make significant social change, and deeply moving art.
Scott invited me into his Big hART world for Namatjira. Working together demanded of me things I had not thought possible, so it expanded me in extraordinary ways. Scott's a visionary and an agitator, and the way he sees the world is a beautiful call to action.
I met this company in 2008, and began working with them in 2010, first on Namatjira, then Acoustic Life of Sheds. It is no exaggeration to say that they changed my life.
Some of my favourite memories from touring Namatjira are of Derik, holding the room in thrall. He's a brilliant artist, and a profoundly sensitive man.
Trevor and I worked together in Namatjira. Rarely have I shared a stage with someone with such presence, grace, and generosity.
Davo created the remarkable Namatjira documentary. She’s a filmmaker whose poetic cinematography reveals layers most of us don't notice. And, she’s a brave, beautifully uncompromising woman, with a particularly subversive take on life.
A gentle, understated man, Andrew produced Acoustic Life of Sheds with a feather-light touch. Quietly making himself invisible, he created opportunities, conversations, relationships and artworks that wouldn’t exist without him.
I will forever be grateful to Paul, Bruce and the ABO for welcoming me home when I returned to Australia after my years in Europe. They created an opportunity that led to so many others, and to years of joyful music making.
Working with this community from 2008-2012 was an experience that was profoundly formative, and what I learnt during my tenure as Artistic Director continues to inform and shape my work and thinking.
My conversations and collaborations with dear Flinders go back decades now. Elena Kats-Chernin’s gorgeous Re-Inventions was written for us, as well as Sculthorpe’s Song for Neilma, Paul Grabowsky’s, The Nightingale and the Rose and Stuart Greenbaum’s Translations.
Thanks to an introduction from the Gantners, Jun Tian Fang invited me into their richly beautiful world in 2015. I learnt so much from them about ancient, classical Chinese culture, and this ensemble were the inspiration for, and heart of one infinity. Their musicianship, and particularly their relationship with silence, have changed the way I listen and play.
Dynamic, passionate, unswervingly committed to creating and performing brilliant new work, Dance North are inspiring colleagues and collaborators, who were central to one infinity.
Gifted artist, generous man. Marshall McGuire and I played for one of Brook’s exhibitions some years back, and it was stunning to be making sound amid his powerful work. Most recently, he gave me the gift of a series of artworks for my CD Line Drawings – they’re exquisite.
Writer, artist and photographer, Sarah brings her acute sensibilities and intelligence to anything she does. Her performance and rehearsal photos take you straight to the essence and experience of the work.
A beautiful musician with imagination to burn, Katie makes opportunities for others. She's a joy to play and spend time with, and watching her create her generous life in music is inspiring.
David brings experience, integrity and intelligence to anything he does, alongside a beautiful calm, and a remarkably clear head.
Caroline has given me great counsel in many situations. She’s warm and compassionate, highly intelligent, unwaveringly ethical. I trust and admire her deeply.
Amrita and I met on Rising's Council of Good Ideas, where her intelligence and creative acumen were strikingly impressive. It's thrilling to see her life in art go from strength to strength.
Beautiful curator and person, Jeff’s a deeply thoughtful man. We met on Rising’s Council of Good Ideas, and I’ve been honoured to work alongside Jeff since, sharing ideas for music for the festival of experimental art, Liveworks.
Musician, composer, producer, Jared’s passion for sharing music and his love for it is contagious. He did a brilliant research assistant job on Breathing Space, and I look forward to whatever's ahead.
I first met Phoebe as a brilliant young violinist, and soon discovered she had a mind and heart to match. She's played an essential role in this website, and I hope there's more ahead for us.
Liza’s weaver-of-fictions is a composition of stunning eloquence. Playing this, the long forgetting, and The Navigator are musical experiences that define a chapter of my life.
Playing Erkki-Sven’s Whistles and Whispers from Uluru is like stepping into a world of pure sound and thought, minutely traced. I perform this piece with such joy – Erkki wrote it for me and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and I’ve since played it in many countries, as well as recording it with brilliant Olari Elts and Tapiola Sinfonietta for Ondine.
With characteristic grace and generosity, John lent me his In the Distance for an early recording, and then, wrote me into the perfectly pastoral Three Landscapes. Playing Three Landscapes with him at the London Jazz Festival in 2014, to celebrate his 70th, was such an honour.
Publications editor at ABC, Natalie and I have worked closely for years now. She brings exquisite care to every CD booklet, making the most out of every detail with her passionate attentiveness.
Ros is an inspiring role model for creating and walking your own path. She’s also extremely generous, and has shared scores, ideas and many a wonderful conversation over the years.
Jane commissioned Pleasure Garden. Her generosity and trust allowed an idea that had been brewing for decades to come to life. For that huge gift, I’ll always be grateful.
Photographer, dancer, gardener, Gregory’s a beautiful person. When he walks into a room, you feel lighter, and when you’re in his care as photographer of a work you’ve poured your heart into, you know he’ll meet that passion with his own.
I’ve admired Robin’s work for years. I was over the moon when he agreed to join the creative team for Pleasure Garden, where his warm, gentle presence and quiet brilliance were invaluable.
Karlin’s skills, ideals, and life are all beautifully aligned. She worked closely with us on FutureMakers, and we learnt a great deal from her, as well as enjoying her company enormously.
Hollis and I have been working with her pied butcherbirds for some years now. They and she are miraculous musicians, and her compositions are a joy to play. She wrote the concerto Absolute Bird for me, which I’ve played in Adelaide, Melbourne, London.
Damian and I first worked together in 2002, and he’s written a series of beautiful pieces for me that have travelled far and wide, including Shadow Box, for heard this and thought of you. He’s endlessly inventive, always alight with his next creative project.
Pete designed and solved scores of complex technical challenges for en masse, and brought to each of them a gentle, thoughtful artistry. He designed the Pleasure Garden website, and often gives great advice about art, tech and design solutions.
Keith has an extraordinary ability to help me relax and be myself when he’s taking photos. As a result, his portraits feel truthful and confident.
Co-founder of my first ensemble, treasured friend and musician.
A beacon of light and integrity, Bec brings brilliance and deep kindness to any project and person in her orbit.
Classmates from my Danish days, these women befriended me, and taught me so much. Hearing them play reminds me of everything I love about my instrument, and all that I have yet to learn.
Åsa’s a beautiful mezzo-soprano, a woman of intelligence, intensity and passion. We met when we were both studying in Switzerland, and she performed in my final exam in Denmark – formative times.
Jessica and I met in Basel, as students at the hallowed Schola Cantorum. Already formidably multi-skilled as a young woman, her capacity for learning is astonishing, and her courage in setting her own course is inspiring.
Dan’s the teacher who insisted that I dare try to become a musician. Without him, I would not be a recorder player. His recordings still stop me in my tracks.
Sometimes, you're lucky enough to meet people who lead you to discover what might be possible in life. Helen was my recorder teacher through school. She opened a universe for me, which I’m still exploring.
Linda supervised my doctorate, wisely and inspiringly. Conversations with her formed a backbone of my thinking, and I’m very grateful to Linda for that chapter of my life, and her central role in it.
The first piece of music that I premiered was Amanda’s Phoenix Songs. Working with Amanda was so positive and formative an experience that composers and new music have been central to my life ever since.
I had the great pleasure of premiering Iain’s opera The Riders in 2014. Iain’s music is a fine portrait of him – it’s warm, lyrical, intelligent, and fluent in multiple musical languages.
A musician and composer of deep sensitivity and insight, who has had profound influence on many. In 2019, I had the honour of commissioning Deirdre to write a piece for the celebration of the centenary of St Mary’s College, University of Melbourne.
Stephen produced all of my early recordings. I trust and respect him deeply as a result, not to mention his beautifully honed sensibilities and musicianship.
Umberto accepted my invitation to join an unusual cast of characters for UKARIA 24 in 2016. We played again late in 2021, after the long Covid drought, and to be in the presence of his wit and deeply expressive musicianship was balm to the soul.
I have such strong memories of recording A Midnight Dream of Summer, Jason coaxing unexpected sounds out of me as he urged me to experiment further and further. He's a remarkable musician.
Way back at the turn of the century, in my first job as Artistic Director, Peter was a wise and generous mentor. He’s gone on to play this role for multiple people in my life, always with intelligence, integrity and great kindness.
Steve wrote me a beautiful piece called et døgn, which I recorded for weaver of fictions, and have played across the world since. He was also central to the electroacoustic score for en masse.
I was so thrilled when Nicola agreed to create the artwork for weaver of fictions. She and I both grew up in Ballarat, and our connection goes back a long way.
Dave designed my original website. More importantly, conversations with Dave over several decades have shaped who I am, and how I see the world.
I love exchanging thoughts and books with John, talking of life and art. We created Arrivals together with Stephen Grant.
Peter and I worked together on my first festival, Four Winds, where I first understood how transformative beautiful design can be. Then, UKARIA 24, and Line Drawings. Peter's a poetic artist, whose sensitive work is a fine mirror for his character.
Stephen’s a designer with a truly conceptual mind, and a contemporary, poetic aesthetic. He worked on FutureMakers and Pleasure Garden, and I look forward to whenever next we collaborate.
Brett is a composer whose work I admire hugely, so I was rapt when he and Bob Scott created Miss Genevieve’s Nocturne for my weaver of fictions album, which I've since played far and wide.
I've been listening to Lachlan for years, and I was excited when he decided to write a piece for bass recorder and string quartet in 2020. It’s tender, and quietly expressive.
A woman of integrity and considerable musical acumen, Jessica is a conductor I admire. She brings gravitas to a room, and has a real gift for infusing music with clarity and life.
A man with a remarkable mind, generous with his formidable knowledge and creative ideas.
Tim and Francesca took me into their lives during my Four Winds chapter. Conversations around their table and beyond fed and sustained me.
Paul’s musicianship is direct, starkly expressive. Working alongside him in Conversations with Ghosts inspired me to try to find that same stripped back truthfulness in my own playing.
Jim’s written me into many scores: Line Drawing, Folk Song, New Tricks for Old Dogs, Conversations with Ghosts, and Distraction. I feel very fortunate to play a part in his musical language.
Heide takes exceptional portraits. She has an ability to capture your essence, not just how you look.
Lindy was extremely supportive in my early days of learning how to work as an artistic director. She’s a striking role model, and I'm very grateful for her counsel and her kindness.
Dan and I created Nest together, as part of my year in residence at Melbourne Recital Centre in 2018. His is a singular imagination, and his musicality and intelligence made for fertile collaboration.
I live with one of Heather’s paintings. It brings me daily sustenance, and infuses the house with light. Heather was kind enough to gift Ophelia to the album cover of Soliloquy.
Andy was our director for heard this and thought of you. A born storyteller, an unashamed romantic, a deeply intuitive and good man, it’s a pleasure to know and work alongside him.
Joe's a beautifully understated musician, a man of many skills. He moves across different musical worlds, and I’m so glad to have met him in one of them – he and I play together in Three Lanes, with Andrea Keller.
Jana juggles more than most of us can with care and apparent ease. She’s a colleague I respect deeply, and was an invaluable team member on the Australian Music Centre board.
John and Astra have been inspiring me for years, and whenever I can, I sit in their audience. Sometimes, when I’m really lucky, I play with them.
I worked for years with Elision: from Moscow to Paris, Berlin, London, Melbourne and Brisbane, and the almost yearly meeting at Huddersfield. I learnt a huge amount in the company of these outstanding, hilarious colleagues, who shaped me in such important ways.
Ben, Andy and I, together with Jim Atkins, created fade, having also collaborated on Conversations with Ghosts. I love their clean, pure aesthetic.
ANAM brims with talent, and being in the presence of such pure energy is inspiring. I’ve played with ANAM musicians in multiple projects (Conversations with Ghosts included), and mentored many young musicians across the years.
Arcadia were our first FutureMakers artists. They're infectiously optimistic, passionate about Australian music and their role in shaping it.
An invaluable organisation, I’m very proud to have been the Chair of the board of the Australian Music Centre from 2016-2021, and a board member for many years prior.
Moritz composed me an extraordinary piece called alien for weaver of fictions. His recorder works are legendary, and as a player, take you to places you had thought shouldn’t exist.
Monty takes gorgeous photos, even sometimes ones of me that I like – miraculous!
Oren and I played together in Ian Wilson’s 2011 Sligo Festival, which took us both into unchartered territory. I loved the gentle experience of us finding a common language.
Unsung hero of en masse and Four Winds 2012, Michael is a brilliant production manager.
Lawrence was a central character in the musical creation of en masse. He generously welcomed me into new musical worlds, sharing colleagues, skills, ideas.
Andy wrote Bagpipe Music for Marshall McGuire and me. We’ve shared many conversations before and since, on and off The Music Show, and also working on his remarkable Untuning the Sky.