MrDamian Barbeler

Dr Damian Barbeler is an award-winning composer, multimedia and interactive sound sculpture artist specialising in fully integrated wholistic music-based multimedia works for stage or installation. He is recognised for his unique visually inspired style, especially his lush, emotional creations inspired by textures and patterns in nature. He regularly collaborates with colleagues from diverse fields including film, architecture, software design, media arts, dance and more. He frequently makes multi-art works incorporating film, theatrical and sculptural elements with music.

His uncategorisable often surrealist work often emphasises tactile experiences of physical places especially the natural landscape, for example his current project Duet for One with pianist Sonya Lifschitz exploring our estranged relationship with the natural landscape.

Damian's creations have featured in concert halls and festivals around Australia. In 2024 Barbeler's choral work Charlotte, on a text by Judith Crispin, was premiered by Kings College Cambridge Choir on national tour for Musica Viva Australia. He has directed independent projects for, and is Creative Producer for Backstage Music. For nearly a decade he Directed projects with local communities in Far North Qld and the Torres Strait Islands for Qld Music Festival.

Other major works include, Scenes from the Bundian Way (2022) for Canberra International Music Festival, Piece for Violin and Ball of Wool (2018), for violin and ritual theatre for Melbourne Recital Hall, Metropolis Festival; The Sound Bubble installation in Vivid 2016 (with John Taylor and Anna McMichael), and MOFO Festival Launceston (2018); The Music Orchard (with Tim Jetis, Ciaran Frame and John Taylor) Vivid 2017; Bruce's Shed, for Big hArt for the 2015 Tasmanian International Arts Festival; Bright Birds (2012) and Visiting Eucalyptus (2018, with Tim Jetis) for Four Winds Festival.

Barbeler holds a PhD in Composition from the University of Sydney, and lectures in composition and digital music at University of Sydney, Sydney Conservatorium, and creative performance practice at University of NSW.