Role

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Conductor  

 

Claire Edwardes is a renowned Australian percussionist and contemporary classical music artist. She was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1976, and grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a classical pianist. From a young age, Claire showed a keen interest in music, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion. Claire began her musical education at the age of six, learning the piano and violin. However, it was not until she discovered percussion that she found her true calling. She was fascinated by the range of sounds and textures that could be produced by percussion instruments, and she quickly became proficient in playing them. In 1994, Claire enrolled at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she studied percussion under the guidance of Daryl Pratt. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1997 and went on to complete a Master of Music degree in 1999. After completing her studies, Claire began her professional career as a percussionist. She quickly established herself as one of Australia's leading contemporary classical music artists, known for her virtuosic performances and innovative collaborations. One of Claire's early highlights was her performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony. She was part of the percussion ensemble that performed the iconic drumming sequence that accompanied the lighting of the Olympic flame. The performance was watched by millions of people around the world and cemented Claire's reputation as a world-class percussionist. In 2001, Claire joined the percussion quartet Synergy, which was founded by her former teacher Daryl Pratt. Synergy is known for its innovative and eclectic repertoire, which includes works by contemporary composers as well as traditional percussion music from around the world. Claire has been a member of Synergy for over 20 years and has performed with the group at major festivals and venues around the world. In addition to her work with Synergy, Claire has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists. She has worked with composers such as Steve Reich, Peter Sculthorpe, and Elena Kats-Chernin, and has performed with ensembles such as the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. Claire is also a passionate advocate for new music and has commissioned and premiered numerous works by Australian and international composers. She has been involved in the creation of new works for percussion by composers such as Brett Dean, Ross Edwards, and Gerard Brophy. Claire's achievements as a percussionist have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. In 2005, she was awarded the Freedman Fellowship for Classical Music, which is one of Australia's most prestigious awards for young musicians. In 2012, she was awarded the APRA Art Music Award for Performance of the Year for her performance of Brett Dean's work "Komarov's Fall" with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her work as a performer, Claire is also a dedicated educator. She has taught percussion at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian National University, and has given masterclasses and workshops around the world. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of percussionists and helping to develop the contemporary classical music scene in Australia.

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