What occurs when long-established classical music traditions intersect with 60,000 years of Indigenous history?
Throughout Australia, First Nations musicians are transforming perceptions of classical music by infusing it with Indigenous wisdom, language, and unique listening approaches. This article highlights five notable First Nations artists, examining their connection to classical music and how these distinct musical heritages resonate with each other.
It is important to note that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers may find references to deceased individuals in this article.
James Henry is a dynamic musician, sound designer, and photographer who merges traditional Aboriginal sounds with modern music styles. As the grandson of the celebrated First Nations musician Jimmy Little, Henry’s journey into music began with the guitar, leading him to explore classical music during his high school years.
“When I first encountered this music, I felt compelled to embark on my own musical journey, which took me to local libraries where I borrowed an array of classical music,” Henry reflects.
As a prominent composer, he has created works for several leading Australian ensembles, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Melbourne String Ensemble, and the Derwent Valley Concert Band. Currently, he serves as the First Nations Composer in Residence for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, where his new piece, Fresh Water Salt Water, is set to debut in August.
Nardi Simpson, a proud Yuwaalaraay woman hailing from New South Wales’ North West region, is a writer, musician, composer, and educator who channels traditional knowledge into contemporary music. A founding member of the First Nations folk group Stiff Gins, Simpson participated in the Ngarra Burria First Nations Composers Initiative in 2019 and composed Of Stars and Birds for Ensemble Offspring in 2020. She is currently pursuing a PhD in composition at the Australian National University.
Simpson expresses her connection to classical music by stating, “While I may never fully understand her as a lover might, I hold a deep respect and reverence for her knowledge system.” Her artistic work is imbued with her affection and understanding of Yuwaalaraay culture, emphasizing that true ownership lies in the shared experience of culture.
Aaron Wyatt, a musician from Perth with Noongar, Yamatji, and Wongai heritage, excels as a conductor, composer, violist, educator, and innovative artist. Having grown up immersed in music, he gained valuable experience from youth orchestras. “I am captivated by the colors and possibilities of symphonic repertoire that are often absent in other music forms,” he shares.
Wyatt is a passionate advocate for Indigenous representation within classical music. He directs Ensemble Dutala, a chamber group dedicated to nurturing the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander instrumentalists. In 2022, he made history as the first Indigenous conductor of an Australian state orchestra, leading the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a performance titled Long Time Living Here, a musical acknowledgment of Country by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon. He is also part of the Decibel New Music Ensemble, where he created the Decibel ScorePlayer app for graphic notation.
Adam Manning, a Kamilaroi artist, musician, composer, and researcher, studied classical music at the University of Newcastle, where he developed a keen interest in percussion. His compositions often focus on rhythmic elements, such as the Rhythmic Acknowledgement of Country, which he performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Manning frequently showcases clapsticks as a solo instrument and collaborates with orchestras like the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Australian Art Orchestra.
“Rhythm is a universal language that connects me to my Land, People, Culture, and Story, representing the heartbeat of Ngaya Barray (Mother Earth),” Manning states.
Nina Korbe, a Koa, Kuku Yalanji, and Wakka Wakka woman, is carving out her niche in the Australian opera scene. “As a child fascinated by theater, I was enchanted by the grand sets, costumes, and the beauty of the music,” Korbe recalls. “Now, I cherish every aspect of this extraordinary art form.”
Coming from a family rich in creativity—her mother, Kym Korbe, is a former opera singer, and her aunt, Leah Purcell, is a respected playwright—Korbe acknowledges the significance of storytelling in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture. Her breakthrough role came when she was cast as the lead in the Sydney Harbour production of West Side Story in 2024. She will also portray Molly Johnson in the upcoming Australian opera The Drover’s Wife, composed by George Palmer with lyrics by Leah Purcell, premiering in May 2026.
“I take great pride in continuing these traditions in my own unique way,” she affirms.
Join Nardi Simpson, Aaron Wyatt, James Henry, and Adam Manning alongside Joel Carnegie from 8 PM, July 6-9, as they share the music that inspires them as composers in 2026, live from Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. Additionally, catch Emma Donovan performing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on Friday, July 10, at 7:30 PM.
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