Grace is a classically trained pianist, composer and educator based at Eastmint Studios in Naarm/Melbourne. Exploring the tension between improvised and composed material, her poetic works consider the dynamics embedded in musical narrative by interlacing traditional structures with interruptions and contradictions; evoking how external forces, memory and subliminal truths often disturb linear progression and lead to unexpected interconnections. Drawing together different aspects of her practice– solo and multi-instrumental pieces, experimental collaboration and music for theatre, dance and film– her artistic language celebrates the fluidity that can exist across multiple forms and roles.
Grace has performed original works at the Melbourne Recital Centre, improvised live as part of MIUC ensembles, adapted her music for outdoor festival settings, and independently staged unique shows that incorporate conceptual sets or moving, visual imagery with music. Through these and other works, she has had the opportunity to learn and foster relationships with some of Australia’s most dynamic artists and musicians.
Grace acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where she works and lives, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and pays her respects to First Nations Elders past, present and emerging. She acknowledges their continuing connection to community, the land and artistic traditions they have practiced for generations.
UPCOMING PROJECTS + PERFORMANCES
2024
La Cité internationale des arts, artist in residence
Supported by Australian Council for the Arts
Paris, France
2024
Bundanon, artist in residence
In collaboration with choreographer Zoë Bastin
Bundanon Homested, NSW, Australia
SELECTED LIVE PERFORMANCES (MUSIC)
2024
Penelope Trappes (UK) Heavenly Spheres
Support: Grace Ferguson
Eastmint, Melbourne
2023
Lost City
Curated by Brad Cameron, featuring artists David Moran, Maryam Rahmami, Gabriella Smart, Georgia Oatley & Grace Ferguson
Estonian Hall, Adelaide
2023
'AMPHI:BIOS'
Presented by TREATMENT III Festival, curated by Georgina Lewis
Western Treatment Plant, Melbourne
2023
Make It Up Club 25th Birthday
Group performance featuring artists: Merinda Dias-Jayasinha, Grace Ferguson, Genevieve Fry, Abby Sundborn & Lily Tait
Old Bar, Melbourne
2023
Inner Vannika Festival
Victoria
2023
Piano Day
Presented by FLOAT, featuring artists Sophie Hutchings, Grace Ferguson & Evelyn Ida Morris
Tempo Rubato, Melbourne
2023
Eddie Chacon and John Carroll Kirby at the Night Cat
Support: Grace Ferguson
Presented by Crown Ruler Melbourne
2022
Live experimental music series 1000ears
Hosted by Ben Speth, Naarm
#7 solo and group performance featuring artists Mito Elias - founillette and voice, Grace Ferguson - electronic synth + acoustic reed organ, vi a - no input mixer
2022
Eastmint Studio Fundraiser
Featuring artists Grace Ferguson, Dave Graney, Clare Moore, Grand Salvo & Hantu
Eastmint, Melbourne
2022
In The Dome
Presented by Cease And Desist, featuring artists Low Flung, Hantu, Grace Ferguson & Lily Tait
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Melbourne
2022
TIMBRE
Presented by Melbourne Fringe Festival featuring works by sculptor Darcy Shilton
Tempo Rubato, Melbourne
2022
ABSORB(ED)
Miscellania, Melbourne
2021
Aporrhoai
Presented by Melbourne Music Week, featuring artists Aarti Jadu, Grace Ferguson, YL Hooi & Carla Zimbler
MPavillion, Melbourne
Winter Gifts: Vol 1
Presented by ONO, featuring Grace Ferguson (Live), DBR & Anuraag
Miscellania, Melbourne
2021
Music Company Showcase
Featuring artists E Fishpool, Rohan Ribeiro, Nico Niquo & Grace Ferguson
Meat Market, Melbourne
2021
BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL: SOUNDWORLDS
WESTON | FERGUSON + FIA FIELL
Tempo Rubato
2020
Soft Edges
New Music Studio Commission, Melbourne Conservatorium
Collaborative work by Pat Telfer & Grace Ferguson
2019
Fia Fiell + Grace Ferguson
Presented by Spirit Level Records
Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
2019
International Piano Day
Presented by Spirit Level Records and Yamaha Australia
Collaborative work by Sarah Mary Chadwick & Grace Ferguson
2018
Crossing Into the Electric Magnetic
Conducted by Sandro Chinchaladze and Scott McCulloch, AqTushetii, artist in residence
Omalo, Georgia
2017
Six Piano Project
Presented by Collingwood Arts Precinct, produced by Kitty Xiao
Melbourne
SELECTED WORKS (THEATRE + DANCE)
2024
Sydney Theatre Award: Best Original Score for a Main Stage Production
On the Beach, STC
2023
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Presented Red Stitch Theatre, written by Edward Albee, directed by Sarah Goodes
2023
Julius Caesar
Presented by Melbourne Shakespeare Company, written by William Shakespeare, directed by Richard Murphett
2023
On The Beach
Presented by Sydney Theatre Company, written by By Nevil Shute, adapted for the stage by Tommy Murphy, directed by Kip Williams
2023
Selling Kabul
Presented by Red Stitch Actors Theatre, written by Sylvia Khoury
2023
Celestial
Development for new contemporary dance work devised and choreographed by Zoë Bastin
Critical Path, Sydney
2021
That Which Was Once Familiar
Presented by Dancehouse, devised and choreography by Zoë Bastin
2019
ZKB PATRONAGE PRIZE 2019
We All Know What is Happening
Devised by Samara Hersch and Lara Thoms
2019
We All Know What is Happening
Devised by Samara Hersch and Lara Thoms
Presented by Noorderzon Festival, The Netherlands & Zuercher Theater Spektakel, Switzerland
2018
Greenroom Award: Best Contemporary/Experimental performance
We All Know What is Happening
Devised by Samara Hersch and Lara Thoms
2018
A Thousand Times the Rolling Sun
Group exhibition curated by Gabriel Curtin
Old HM Prison in Beechworth, Victoria
2019
We All Know What is Happening
Devised by Samara Hersch and Lara Thoms
Presented by Arts House, Melbourne, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney & Vitalstatistix, Adelaide
2018
Your Heart’s So Hot O Sister
Collaboration between Rosie Ribel, Lilian Steiner & Grace Ferguson
Presented by Melbourne Music Week
2018
LONE by The Rabble
Emma Valente (mentor)
Arts House, Melbourne
FILM
2023
Inside
Feature film directed by Charles Williams
Role: Piano instructor
2023
Foe
Feature film directed by Garth Davis
Role: Piano instructor/piano double
2022
Patterns of the Afternoon
Short Film directed by Maddelin McKenna, presented at MIFF
Composition
2022
Breath
Experimental film by Rudi Williams and Grace Ferguson
Composition
2022
Morpheme
Presented as part of the Exhibition An Ear to the Edge of Sound (MILK GALLERY), curated by Josephine Mead
Collaborative work by Julian Tuna (direction) & Grace Ferguson (composition)
2021
Take Up Space
Animated Documentary, created in partnership with Women’s Health West
Directed and animated by Annie Murray Sound design by Grace Ferguson & Pat Telfer