Aaron Wyatt makes history as the first Aboriginal man to conduct a state orchestra

“While I’ve been involved in some big productions before, including the premieres of Cat Hope’s opera Speechless in the 2019 Perth International Arts Festival and Gina Williams’ and Guy G’house’s new opera Koolbardi Wer Wardong last year, this opportunity with the MSO represents such a huge step forward, both for me as an individual and for Indigenous representation in Australian classical music.” - Aaron Wyatt

Deborah Cheetham, Aaron Wyatt & MSO Chief Conductor Jaime Martín Source: MSO

Noongar man Aaron Wyatt made history on February 9 as the first Aboriginal man to conduct the Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra (MSO), or any other state orchestra in Australia, when he stepped on to the stage to conduct Long Time Living Here, the 2019 Acknowledgment of Country by Deborah Cheetham AO.

Adding to the occasion, four members of Ensemble Dutala - Australia’s first ensemble for classically trained First Nations musicians – performed alongside the MSO as part of the inaugural Ensemble Dutala Residency, a new initiative within MSO’s First Nations Emerging Artists Program.

Originally from Perth, Aaron Wyatt is a violist, violinist, conductor, programmer and assistant lecturer at The Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music at Monash University. He is also Artistic Director and founding member of Ensemble Dutala.