EMERGING CONCERT ARTIST SERIES

They connect people through live music and nurture the next generation of musicians. Young performers are already artists, but performing frequently develops their art. We aim to create more performance opportunities for the inspiring young musicians in our community. This series has been made possible by the generous support of the St. Jude's Music Association Community and the Wollongong Art Gallery.

Thur Dec 8th ~ ALEC WATTS, MICHAEL DOMINIS, & JACK QUINN - Jazz and New Compositions by Alec

Alec Watts, 20, is in his second year of studying for a Bachelor of Performance (Jazz). Under the guidance of jazz greats such as David Theak, Kevin Hunt and Craig Scott. Alec has performed across Sydney, from small jazz bars to grand Fashion shows. Having gained the prestigious Bari sax chair in ANJO youth big band this year, he will perform in Sydney, Wollongong and Perth, playing a set of original Australian compositions by Vanessa Perica.

Alec writes, "I will be utilising the broad palate of sound the woodwind instruments can produce; I aim to further understand the rich indigenous people's culture of this land through composing music which draws on their culture. With my music background strongly rooted in jazz, this performance will be a pleasant mix of jazz and new compositions inspired by my developing awareness of indigenous culture."

Michael Dominis is a second-year student completing a Bachelor of Jazz Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He was also a Wollongong Conservatorium student and toured in America under Eric Dunan's big band. He frequently performs around the Illawarra. He is known for his incredible improvisational skills giving his playing a fluid yet spontaneous feel.

Jack Quinn has been drumming since he was a kid, starting on pots and pans in the kitchen, eventually moving to a drum set at age 10, and playing in school ensembles. Studying under San Francisco drummer Simone White, Jack entered the musical world of Funk, Jazz, Latin all the way through to Rock, Blues and Fus on. Studying Jazz Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, he has honed his ear musically and technically, learning from Jazz drummer extraordinaire Andrew Dickeson. Bringing a sensitive spirit and warm attitude, Jack aims to make you feel, tap your toes, and boogie.

Concert Host ~ Ann Lehmann-Kuit. These concerts are specifically designed to be inclusive: in addition to event timing, location, and the provision of morning tea and entry by donation, music therapist Ann will host the concerts to maximise connectivity between performers, audiences and the space.

Ann is a musician, music therapist & lecturer; plays classical guitar, mandolin & lute and is a poet/singer-songwriter. Ann coordinates Jam n Bread, an intergenerational series of free musical community gatherings featuring musicians from different cultural backgrounds. She runs the Folk School and Youth Tradition Awards through the Illawarra Folk Festi al. Ann lectures at UOW and WSU. She works at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music as a music therapist and Classical Guitar teacher. Ann is passionate about giving people of all ages opportunities to ignite their expressive confidence and connect through music.