Ensemble Offspring

FRIDAY 19 JUNE 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

 Claire Edwardes   percussion / vibraphone

Blair Harris           cello

A program of pulse and poetry, rhythm and resonance, this concert showcases the daring artistry and genre-defying imagination that define Ensemble Offspring — where every sound is alive, and every silence charged with possibility.

Two powerhouse musicians from one of Australia’s most trailblazing ensembles — Ensemble Offspring — join forces in a thrilling program for cello and percussion that blurs boundaries between classical finesse, jazz rhythm, and raw sonic invention.

Claire Edwardes has been an ARIA Award finalist twice and has performed as a soloist all over the world – from Vancouver to Amsterdam, the Gold Coast to Malta, and Huddersfield to Alice Springs.

A founding member of Ensemble Offspring, Claire Edwardes OAM has directed the group since 2006, initially as co-Artistic Director with Damien Ricketson and since 2015 as sole Artistic Director. She was recently described as a “unique treasure of Australia’s musical community” by Limelight and as “an invigorating musical life force” by The Age. She is the only Australian to win the ‘APRA Art Music Luminary Award’ four times and in 2023 she was the recipient of the Creative Leadership Award at the Australian Women in Music Awards.

Hailing from New Zealand, and originally coming to Australia to attend ANAM, Blair Harris is a highly regarded Melbourne-based solo cellist and chamber musician, known particularly for his strikingly individual interpretations and innovative collaborative projects.

A member of Ensemble Offspring since 2015, he has commissioned many solos by Australian composers including by Jack Symonds, Alice Humphries and Paul Dean. As a soloist he has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria and he performs regularly as a duo with pianist Caroline Almonte and enjoyed many years performing with Syzygy Ensemble and Southern Cross Soloists.

Blair is currently on staff as a cello teacher at Monash University and is the Principal Cellist with Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.

Includes Pre-Show drinks and canapés

Concession $60 | Full Price $65