KEYNOTE PRESENTERS
Andrew Ford OAM
Andrew Ford OAM is a composer, writer and broadcaster who has won awards in each of those capacities, including the Paul Lowin Prize for his song cycle Learning to Howl, a Green Room Award for his opera Rembrandt’s Wife and the Albert H Maggs Prize for his large ensemble piece, Rauha. He has been composer-in-residence for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.
In 2014 he was Poynter Fellow and visiting composer at Yale University, in 2015 visiting lecturer at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and in 2018 HC Coombs Creative Arts Fellow at the Australian National University. Ford has written widely on all manner of music and published eleven books, most recently The Shortest History of Music (Black Inc., July 2024). He has written, presented and co-produced five radio series for the ABC and, since 1995, presented The Music Show each weekend on Radio National. He was awarded an OAM in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Ingrid Martin
Ingrid Martin uses music to cultivate compassion and human connection, creating spaces for transformation and deep listening. A dynamic conductor, curator, presenter and educator, she empowers musicians of all ages and abilities to be more expressive, thoughtful and independent.
A sought-after presenter, Ingrid is renowned for her engaging and practical approach, equipping teachers with hands-on strategies to deepen musicianship and bring pedagogical rigor to ensembles, to ensure every rehearsal is an opportunity for growth and inspiration.
She has shared her expertise at major conferences, including ASME, AUSTA, ABODA, Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), and The Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
Hundreds of teacher-conductors worldwide engage with Ingrid through ConductingArtistry.com, where she provides accessible ongoing professional development through her books, articles, podcasts, mailing list and on-demand video courses.
On the podium the 2025 season sees Ingrid return to work with the Melbourne, Queensland and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras and the Auckland Philharmonia, lead the Louise Crossley Conductor Training Program for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and make her debuts with Orchestra Victoria and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Ingrid is happiest with a good black coffee in one hand and one or more of her cats on her lap.
Topology
Topology is an award-winning quintet and arts organisation who is a recognised leader in contemporary music. Topology has a legacy of nearly three decades of creative excellence, community engagement, and educational leadership. Central to its identity is the belief that everyone is inherently creative and deserves access to high-quality, affordable artistic experiences. This ethos informs and unites all of Topology’s programs and initiatives, shaping its mission to make creativity accessible to all, regardless of location, age, skill level, or artistic interest.
Through its multifaceted approach—spanning the groundbreaking work of the Core Ensemble, the educational impact of the Creative Academy, and the transformative power of the Creative Communities program—Topology is committed to fostering creativity, connection, and capability. Whether delivering creative workshops, creating adventurous new compositions, or facilitating collaborative community projects, the organisation strives to enrich lives and inspire communities.
Topology has an impressive network and history of collaborations and partnerships within Australia and internationally with a diverse portfolio of projects spanning artistic creation, capacity building, education, health, justice and cross-cultural collaboration.