AMANDA HANDEL

Amanda Handel’s diverse musical interests and influences inhabit her sound world and provide a distinctive voice. In 2003 she completed an M.A. (Hons) degree at the University of Western Sydney. Her thesis Music of Balance: Circles and Squares includes a large portfolio of original scores and acoustic recordings which explore mandalas in music.

The Sydney Guitar Trio premiered Dances to the Night Sky at the 1999 Darwin International Guitar Festival and included it on their CD. Carolyn Kidd and Virgina Taylor performed Goarounds and Grounds in a concert broadcast live on ABC-FM radio. Also in 1999 the Song Company included Sznuvah Szn on their programme for the 'Sagra Musicale di Perugia' international festival in Italy. Several of her compositions were selected for presentation at the National Festivals of Womens’ Music in Canberra, 2001 and Sydney,1997. Many of her works have been choreographed for dance performances.

Chamber works commissioned in 2002 include Dry Red which was premiered at the Darwin International Guitar Festival and Red, Yellow, Black and White: Music for Reconciliation for two pianos and percussion, commissioned by Ars Musica Australis. The premiere, given by Daniel Herscovitch, Michael Leslie, Daryl Pratt and Alison Eddington was recorded and broadcast on ABC-FM. A Composer Profile featuring Amanda’s compositions was broadcast in 2004 by 2MBS-FM.

In 2004 Amanda studied flamenco music with pianist/composer Pedro Sarmiento in Madrid. While in Spain she made field recordings for a CD project which was released in 2006. Collaborating with sound designer G. L. Seiler their album Ghosts and Angels has received rave reviews. It was longlisted for the Australian Music Prize 2007 and available on the Feral Media label.

Amanda has given many performances on piano in concerts, recitals and master classes. In July 2006 she presented a concert with Naomi Halls at the Joan Sutherland Centre. Muse and Myth featured Amanda’s solo and duo works for flute and piano.

As a qualified and accredited piano teacher Amanda holds a AMusA and ATCL (T. Dip). Her early teachers include Meriel Owen, Albert Landa and Nancy Salas. She has been teaching at the J S Centre since 1991 and has lectured in harmony, analysis and composition at the University of Western Sydney.

Having studied soprano saxophone with Sandy Evans Amanda has performed in several jazz and world music ensembles. She has considerable experience in Flamenco dance and is currently collaborating with a contemporary dancer and choreographer. For leisure she is studying Iyengar Yoga, exploring its mental and physical correspondences with musical practise and performance.

Back to Music Search and composer's list of works