Graeme Leak
Multi-Skilled Musician
ARTISTIC BIOGRAPHY
SHORT VERSION: Graeme studied piano and percussion in Sydney and New York. Early in his career, he was dedicated to contemporary music, premiering over 100 commissioned solo and ensemble works, many of which were written specifically for him. He enjoys exploring and challenging the boundaries between high and low art by making performances that work equally well in comedy rooms and concert halls.
Career highlights include performing as a soloist for Olivier Messiaen in 1988 at the Sydney Opera House, building a musical fence in outback Australia in 2003 that has become a tourist attraction, and performing for ten years with the Spaghetti Western Orchestra. With the SWO he toured the Edinburgh Festival, Montreal Jazz Fest, Sydney Opera House, appeared on Jools Holland, and performed at a BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.
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LONGER VERSION: Graeme studied piano and percussion at the Sydney Conservatorium High School, followed by advanced studies in New York. His early career was marked by a strong commitment to contemporary music, premiering over 100 newly commissioned solo and ensemble works, many written especially for him. He enjoys exploring and challenging the boundaries between high and low art ny making performances that work equally well in both comedy rooms and concert halls.
Career highlights include performing as a soloist for Olivier Messiaen in 1988 at the Sydney Opera House, building a musical fence in outback Australia in 2003 that has become a tourist attraction, and performing for ten years with the Spaghetti Western Orchestra. With SWO he toured the Edinburgh Festival, Montreal Jazz Fest, Sydney Opera House, appeared on Jools Holland, and performed at a BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.
Graeme has written over 50 works for instruments and voices, including commissions for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2013 Canberra Centenary. In 2012, he created ‘Raising the Roof’ with long-time collaborator Patrick Cronin for Arts Centre Melbourne, an event that brought together over 300 musicians with audience participation in the finale. He has devised and produced events for Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Festival, Ten Days on the Island, and Queensland Music Festival, as well as in the UK for Watford Colosseum, Oxford Contemporary Music, and Cornerstone Arts Centre.
Graeme is a dedicated educator and workshop leader, enjoying work with participants from beginners to professionals, often side by side. He loves ideas, creation, teamwork, and the joys of a well-crafted performance event.
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