Lisa Cheney is a contemporary classical composer based in Queensland, Australia. Cheney holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition and a Master of Music in Composition from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. Cheney writes music for a variety of mediums including orchestra, chamber ensembles, choirs, ballet, theatre, film and animations. Although writing music predominately for concert hall, she particularly enjoys the challenges and rewards associated with collaboration and cross-genre composition.

The recipient of many awards, Cheney is a fast emerging presence on the Australian composition scene. Accolades include the Betty Beath Most Promising Award (2004), Glen-Carter Varney Award for Composition (2009), First prize in the Open Section of the MTAQ Gold Coast Composer’s Competition (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009), Bill Murray Encouragement Award for Composition (2009), first place and other prizes in the Open section of the ASME Young Composer’s Competition (2008, 2009, 2010), first prize at the Key’s Festival for Australian Music (2006) with her vocal and piano work ‘Lullaby’ and the Griffith University Owen Fletcher Postgraduate Award (2008).

Cheney has had works broadcast on ABC Classic-FM and completed commissions from such acclaimed companies as The Southern Cross Soloists (2008, 2010), White Wolf Theatre Company (2011), Belladiva (2010), The Atlantic Music Festival – USA (2010), The Bangalow Music Festival (2010), SOUNDING OUT Composers’ Collective (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), GUS the animation (2011), Syzygy Ensemble (2012), Ensemble Fabrique (2011, 2012), Australia East & West Viola Project (2012), The Australian Voices (2012), and The Australian Ballet. Cheney premiered her first major commission for The Australian Ballet as part of their Body Torque 2.2 Season in 2009. A short Ballet-Opera, Australian Stage praised the score as the “the sweetest swoon, enchanting”, asserting that Fade Not was “the most unexpected, non-conformist” work with the Canberra Times applauding “an innate sense of clarity and harmony”.

In addition to a busy writing schedule, Cheney continues to devote her time to creating opportunities for other emerging composers and artists as a Co-Founder of the Brisbane based SOUNDING OUT Composers’ Collective Series (SOCC), founder of the Brisbane Composer’s Forum and through her passionate championing of the MTAQ Gold Coast Composer’s Competition.

Lisa Cheney is available to consider commissions and collaborations through her website: www.lisacheney.com.au