This podcast was produced on the unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, and the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Always was. Always will be. Aboriginal Land.
This episode brings together Professor Deborah Cheetham AO, First Nations Creative Chair of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and producer of Australia's first Indigenous opera, and Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, founder of the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of a majority of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians. These two trailblazing women talk about their decades-long careers, decolonising systems and breaking down doors in Australian and UK classical music.
Both speak to Melanie Abrahams who is our partner on this project, creative director and curator with Renaissance One in the UK.
Research and presentation: Lena Nahlous, Diversity Arts Australia
Host: Lena Nahlous
Producer: Nadyat El Gawley
More information:
Music: Threads of Existence, part three of a composition from Deborah Cheetham’s Woven Song – Pukumani series.
Credits:
Music composer: Deborah Cheetham AO
Guzheng: Mindy Meng Wang (guest musician)
Flute: Lisa-Maree Amos
Oboe: Joshua De Graaf
Clarinet: Justin Beere
Audio recording courtesy ABC Classic
Filmed on location at NGV Australia
Cinematography and Production: David Ward
More background information:
This podcast is a collaboration with
This Is Who We Are, a UK-Australian movement of intergenerational & intersectional women artists, producers and creatives of colour who are transforming sectors, thinking and spaces. Co-directors Melanie Abrahams (Director. Renaissance One), Paula Abood (Director of The Third Space), Lena Nahlous (Executive Director of Diversity Arts Australia and host of The Colour Cycle podcast), Nur Shkembi (Melbourne based curator, writer and scholar). Festival Curator Melanie Abrahams Project Manager: Sarah Dara. Producer Renaissance One.