Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

Image: From right to left: Akala Newman (assistant producer, Moogahlin Performing Arts), Mark Ross, Aaron Wyatt, Jessica Wells and Veronique Serret  
© Stephen Wilson Barker / Moogahlin Performing Arts

Ngarra-Burria (Dharug language meaning 'to hear, to sing') is an artist development program intended to build bridges for First Peoples musicians to step forward, further develop their composing skills, and connect with the art music sector. The program was initiated by Dharug composer Chris Sainsbury, and the words 'art music' here refer to the vast spectrum of contemporary classical/new music, contemporary original jazz and improvisatory practice, experimental practice, including sound art and installation, computer music, and more.

This First Peoples composer development program is now underway in 2021, after an introductory workshop in Sydney in April. Several participating artists met at the Eora College with this year's mentors James Henry and Jessica Wells, and the program's artistic director Chris Sainsbury.

So far the list of confirmed participants for Ngarra-Burria 2021 includes Marlene Cummins and Will Kepa - who were both involved in 2020 - with Aaron Wyatt and Mark 'Munki Muk' Ross joining them. The list will be finalised in the coming weeks.

Artists from Ensemble Offspring continue their involvement with Ngarra-Burria this year. Present at the workshop were Claire Edwardes (percussion), Jason Noble (clarinet/bass clarinet), Veronique Serret (violin) and Will Hansen (double bass), as were representatives from project partners Moogahlin Performing Arts and the AMC.

> More information about the program (AMC Online) - see also Moogahlin Performing Arts website