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Creative Victoria - General Creative Ventures Program 2021
Some say opera is a dying art form, we here at FLUXUS believe that the raw power of the operatic voice combined with the majesty of a live orchestral score is the most direct way to deliver visceral emotion directly into an audience's soul*.
We also believe that there is room to expand what opera can be and how it is presented. By working with experienced Australian creatives from all artistic genres, we can redefine and reinvent, without discarding the classical canon.
* is this hyperbole? I mean yes, probably, but we do also really believe in the power and majesty (and sometimes glorious satirical nonsense) of opera.
CREATIVE BIOGRAPHIES
for our creative collaborators
(click on image for biographies)
Sista Zai Zanda
Writer - ELSIE
Sista Zai Zanda is a storyteller, educator and curator of the Pan Afrikan Poets Cafe – an Afro-Literary matinée of beats, performance and poetry. Since 2015, Zai has spoiled audiences in Melbourne and Sydney with over 100 performances by African and First Nations storytellers including feature performances by renowned international artists Mahogany L Browne (NYC, Nuyorican Poets Cafe), Inua Ellams (Nigeria/UK), Kat François (Trinidad/UK) and Jive Poetic (NYC).
Amongst career highlights, Zai has co-produced a sold out Pan Afrikan Poets Cafe event at Arts Centre Melbourne (#BlackGirlMagic), worked as a Youth Zone consultant for one of Africa’s top 10 international arts festivals, hosted the 2018 Melbourne Writers Festival Opening Night Gala, curated and produced live radio broadcasts of the Pan Afrikan Poets Cafe and is currently engaged as an Artistic Associate with Melbourne’s Due West Festival.
Sista Zai Zanda is a storyteller, educator and curator of the Pan Afrikan Poets Cafe – an Afro-Literary matinée of beats, performance and poetry. Since 2015, Zai has spoiled audiences in Melbourne and Sydney with over 100 performances by African and First Nations storytellers including feature performances by renowned international artists Mahogany L Browne (NYC, Nuyorican Poets Cafe), Inua Ellams (Nigeria/UK), Kat François (Trinidad/UK) and Jive Poetic (NYC).
Amongst career highlights, Zai has co-produced a sold out Pan Afrikan Poets Cafe event at Arts Centre Melbourne (#BlackGirlMagic), worked as a Youth Zone consultant for one of Africa’s top 10 international arts festivals, hosted the 2018 Melbourne Writers Festival Opening Night Gala, curated and produced live radio broadcasts of the Pan Afrikan Poets Cafe and is currently engaged as an Artistic Associate with Melbourne’s Due West Festival.
Joe Chindamo
Composer - ELSIE
JOE CHINDAMO is a composer and jazz pianist with a background composed concertos, chamber music and film music.
Amongst a plethora of awards, Joe has twice won the MO award for Jazz Instrumental performer of the year, two BELL AWARDS for best album and the APRA award for best jazz composition of the year in 2009.
More recently Chindamo has emerged as a coveted new voice in contemporary classical composition, receiving numerous commissions from Australia's leading soloists Chamber groups and symphony orchestras (incl. the ACO, the Australian String Quartet, the Queensland Music Festival, the Queensland & Melbourne Symphony Orchestras and the High Commission of Australia in the UK).
His Concerto for Drum Kit and Orchestra was commissioned and premiered by MSO at the Last Night at the Proms in Melbourne 2018, and conducted by Sir Andrew Davis.
He has recorded 23 CDs under his own name and collaborated on other recordings with distinguished artists such as James Morrison, Ray Brown (of Oscar Peterson fame) and the Brecker Brothers.
He has worked on more than 60 film soundtracks and his piano playing is featured on such iconic Australian films as PHARLAP, MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER II and THE SOUND OF ONE HAND CLAPPING.
In 2018 Chindamo composed the operatic cabaret VIGIL alongside Steve Vizard commissioned by Adelaide Cabaret Festival starring Christie Whelan Browne
JOE CHINDAMO is a composer and jazz pianist with a background composed concertos, chamber music and film music.
Amongst a plethora of awards, Joe has twice won the MO award for Jazz Instrumental performer of the year, two BELL AWARDS for best album and the APRA award for best jazz composition of the year in 2009.
More recently Chindamo has emerged as a coveted new voice in contemporary classical composition, receiving numerous commissions from Australia's leading soloists Chamber groups and symphony orchestras (incl. the ACO, the Australian String Quartet, the Queensland Music Festival, the Queensland & Melbourne Symphony Orchestras and the High Commission of Australia in the UK).
His Concerto for Drum Kit and Orchestra was commissioned and premiered by MSO at the Last Night at the Proms in Melbourne 2018, and conducted by Sir Andrew Davis.
He has recorded 23 CDs under his own name and collaborated on other recordings with distinguished artists such as James Morrison, Ray Brown (of Oscar Peterson fame) and the Brecker Brothers.
He has worked on more than 60 film soundtracks and his piano playing is featured on such iconic Australian films as PHARLAP, MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER II and THE SOUND OF ONE HAND CLAPPING.
In 2018 Chindamo composed the operatic cabaret VIGIL alongside Steve Vizard commissioned by Adelaide Cabaret Festival starring Christie Whelan Browne
Sarah Giles
Director/Dramaturg - ELSIE
Sarah Giles is an award winning theatre and opera director. She studied directing at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and has an Arts Degree from the University of Melbourne with a double major in Italian and History.
Sarah has directed work for Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, State Theatre of South Australia, Malthouse Theatre, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, Victorian Opera, Opera Queensland, Sydney Chamber Opera, NIDA and WAPPA.
Most recently Sarah received a Helpmann nomination and Green Room nomination for Best Direction of an Opera for her multi award winning production of Lorelei for Victorian Opera. Her production, for which she was both dramaturg and director, won Best New Australian work and Best Design at the Green Room awards where it was nominated in five categories.
Sarah Giles is an award winning theatre and opera director. She studied directing at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and has an Arts Degree from the University of Melbourne with a double major in Italian and History.
Sarah has directed work for Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, State Theatre of South Australia, Malthouse Theatre, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, Victorian Opera, Opera Queensland, Sydney Chamber Opera, NIDA and WAPPA.
Most recently Sarah received a Helpmann nomination and Green Room nomination for Best Direction of an Opera for her multi award winning production of Lorelei for Victorian Opera. Her production, for which she was both dramaturg and director, won Best New Australian work and Best Design at the Green Room awards where it was nominated in five categories.
Zahra Newman
ELSIE
Zahra Newman is a Jamaican-born Australian actress.
She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2008.
She appeared as Nabalungi in the original Australian cast of The Book of Mormon.
Newman has performed extensively with leading theatre companies in Melbourne and Sydney. Her theatre credits include Miss Julie, The Effect, The Mountaintop, The Cherry Orchard, Clybourne Park, The Drowsy Chaperone, Richard III and Rockabye for Melbourne Theatre Company; Rosalind in As You Like It for Bell Shakespeare; The Blind Giant is Dancing, Ivanov and Private Lives for Belvoir; Love and Information for Malthouse Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company; The Government Inspector for Belvoir and Malthouse Theatre; and Random for the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Theatre Company and Brisbane Powerhouse. She also appeared in the original Australian cast of the musical An Officer and A Gentleman.
Her television and film credits include Wentworth, Rush, Childhood’s End and Neighbours.
In 2014, Newman was nominated for Helpmann Awards for both Best Female Actor in Play for The Mountaintop and Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for The Government Inspector. She received a Green Room Award for Female Actor for Random in 2012.
Zahra Newman is a Jamaican-born Australian actress.
She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2008.
She appeared as Nabalungi in the original Australian cast of The Book of Mormon.
Newman has performed extensively with leading theatre companies in Melbourne and Sydney. Her theatre credits include Miss Julie, The Effect, The Mountaintop, The Cherry Orchard, Clybourne Park, The Drowsy Chaperone, Richard III and Rockabye for Melbourne Theatre Company; Rosalind in As You Like It for Bell Shakespeare; The Blind Giant is Dancing, Ivanov and Private Lives for Belvoir; Love and Information for Malthouse Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company; The Government Inspector for Belvoir and Malthouse Theatre; and Random for the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Theatre Company and Brisbane Powerhouse. She also appeared in the original Australian cast of the musical An Officer and A Gentleman.
Her television and film credits include Wentworth, Rush, Childhood’s End and Neighbours.
In 2014, Newman was nominated for Helpmann Awards for both Best Female Actor in Play for The Mountaintop and Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for The Government Inspector. She received a Green Room Award for Female Actor for Random in 2012.
Kate Miller Heidke
Writer - THE CALL
KATE MILLER HEIDKE is a singer-songwriter & composer that has been nominated for 17 ARIA Music Awards. She represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 and is the only person to have sung at Coachella, the New York Metropolitan Opera, and Eurovision. She has won five Helpmann Awards including 2 for critically acclaimed opera The Rabbits performed by Opera Australia in 2014. With her writing partner KEIR NUTTAL she co-wrote the score and additional songs for the stage musical version of Muriel's Wedding.
KATE MILLER HEIDKE is a singer-songwriter & composer that has been nominated for 17 ARIA Music Awards. She represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 and is the only person to have sung at Coachella, the New York Metropolitan Opera, and Eurovision. She has won five Helpmann Awards including 2 for critically acclaimed opera The Rabbits performed by Opera Australia in 2014. With her writing partner KEIR NUTTAL she co-wrote the score and additional songs for the stage musical version of Muriel's Wedding.
Keir Nuttal
Writer - THE CALL
Keir Francis Nuttall is a guitarist-singer-songwriter. He is a founding mainstay member of the rock trio, Transport, which formed in 2001. Since 2004 he has performed and recorded in Kate Miller Heidke's backing band. Nuttall's songs have been recorded by Miller-Heidke, including her singles, "Space They Cannot Touch", "Words" and her 2019 Eurovision final song 'Zero Gravity'. As Franky Walnut, Nuttall performs comic songs such as, "Where Have I Been All Your Life?" and "Three Word Review", both of which he recorded. His first solo album, The Franky Walnut Reflective Drink Coaster (2013), was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release in 2014. Keir co-wrote the songs for the musical Muriel's Wedding alongside Miller Heidke.
Keir Francis Nuttall is a guitarist-singer-songwriter. He is a founding mainstay member of the rock trio, Transport, which formed in 2001. Since 2004 he has performed and recorded in Kate Miller Heidke's backing band. Nuttall's songs have been recorded by Miller-Heidke, including her singles, "Space They Cannot Touch", "Words" and her 2019 Eurovision final song 'Zero Gravity'. As Franky Walnut, Nuttall performs comic songs such as, "Where Have I Been All Your Life?" and "Three Word Review", both of which he recorded. His first solo album, The Franky Walnut Reflective Drink Coaster (2013), was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release in 2014. Keir co-wrote the songs for the musical Muriel's Wedding alongside Miller Heidke.
Connor D'Netto
Composer - THE CALL
CONNOR D’NETTO is a composer of contemporary classical music, described as "the model contemporary Australian composer" by ABC Classic FM. Connor's music has been commissioned across Australia and abroad, including by ensembles such the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian String Quartet, New York based groups including Bang On A Can and Chromic Duo, and performers such as Katie Noonan, Karin Schaupp and Claire Edwardes.
In 2021 Connor was the recipient of the APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award in the Classical/Experimental category.
CONNOR D’NETTO is a composer of contemporary classical music, described as "the model contemporary Australian composer" by ABC Classic FM. Connor's music has been commissioned across Australia and abroad, including by ensembles such the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian String Quartet, New York based groups including Bang On A Can and Chromic Duo, and performers such as Katie Noonan, Karin Schaupp and Claire Edwardes.
In 2021 Connor was the recipient of the APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award in the Classical/Experimental category.
Patrick Nolan
Director/Dramaturg - THE CALL
PATRICK NOLAN has created productions for Sydney Chamber Opera, Opera Australia, New Zealand Opera, Seattle Opera, Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir St, Griffin Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, and all the major Australian capital city festivals. From 2009 – 2014 he was Artistic Director of Legs On The Wall, creating works that toured Australia, UK, Korea, and Brazil. These included: My Bicycle Loves You for the Sydney and Perth Festivals and The Voyage for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. He is currently artistic Director of Opera Queensland.
PATRICK NOLAN has created productions for Sydney Chamber Opera, Opera Australia, New Zealand Opera, Seattle Opera, Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir St, Griffin Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, and all the major Australian capital city festivals. From 2009 – 2014 he was Artistic Director of Legs On The Wall, creating works that toured Australia, UK, Korea, and Brazil. These included: My Bicycle Loves You for the Sydney and Perth Festivals and The Voyage for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. He is currently artistic Director of Opera Queensland.
Ali McGregor
Creative Director
Ali McGregor is an internationally renown soprano and cabaret artist who has performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Carnegie Hall. After starting her career as a principal soprano with Opera Australia she soon ran away with the circus in the form of international touring sensation La Clique (La Soiree). After her appointment as artistic director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2016-2018 she has gone on to create a number of cabaret shows including the Helpmann Award winning show Yma Sumac: The Peruvian Songbird in 2019.
She has performed with SSO, MSO, Sydney Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival, Festival of Voices among others. She has been performing and producing shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festivals for 14 years. She appeared multiple times on ABC’s Spicks & Specks, has been nominated for an ARIA award for her family jazz album JAZZAMATAZZ!, and won multiple green room awards for both cabaret and opera.
Ali is a board Member of The Song Room - a national for-purpose organisation that brings tailored, high-quality music and arts programs, to the most disadvantaged students at schools across Australia.
Ali McGregor is an internationally renown soprano and cabaret artist who has performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Carnegie Hall. After starting her career as a principal soprano with Opera Australia she soon ran away with the circus in the form of international touring sensation La Clique (La Soiree). After her appointment as artistic director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2016-2018 she has gone on to create a number of cabaret shows including the Helpmann Award winning show Yma Sumac: The Peruvian Songbird in 2019.
She has performed with SSO, MSO, Sydney Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival, Festival of Voices among others. She has been performing and producing shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festivals for 14 years. She appeared multiple times on ABC’s Spicks & Specks, has been nominated for an ARIA award for her family jazz album JAZZAMATAZZ!, and won multiple green room awards for both cabaret and opera.
Ali is a board Member of The Song Room - a national for-purpose organisation that brings tailored, high-quality music and arts programs, to the most disadvantaged students at schools across Australia.