Jo Anne Sukumaran, bassoonist

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music? As a child, my godmother took me to many musicals, concerts and plays and I was encouraged to have a healthy and vivid imagination. Back then, I was always immersed in books, movies and had a colourful inner world.  A few occasions were important…

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Duo AVA

Duo AVA are Anna Phoebe (AP) and Aisling Bower (AB) Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music? AP: My mum plays violin alongside her career as a social worker and used to take me to concerts from about age 5 – I was always fascinated by the violinists.  I started violin…

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Joel Jäventausta, composer

Joel Jäventausta is third prizewinner in the 2019 Zemlinsky Competition, an international initiative of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), which exists to promote and encourage the development of young composers Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music? When I was 13, my grandfather bought a tiny 2-octave keyboard…

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Tomasz Skweres, cellist & composer

Tomasz Skweres is second prize-winner in the 2019 Zemlinsky Competition, an international initiative of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), which exists to promote and encourage the development of young composers Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music? I can’t imagine my life without music. Music is not only…

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Aya Yoshida, composer

So many people have inspired me; not only composers or musicians but also artists in various disciplines.

Misty Posey, singer

Who or what inspired you to take up singer-songwriter, and pursue a career in music? Vocals: Everyone who has ever given me feedback, leads me to know what I do well. Writing: Like my dad, I go around humming and singing nonsense tunes – his creativity comes out no matter what task he is at….

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