Sirius Chamber Ensemble

Melissa Coleman (flute)

Ian Sykes (clarinet)

Lucy Carrigy-Ryan (viola)

Clare Kahn (violoncello)

Bellbirds: A Song for the Wonnarua for flute, clarinet and cello (2024) - Troy Russell

Mixtape for flute, clarinet and cello (2024) - Diana Blom (1947 - )

First Duo for clarinet and cello (1810) - Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

i. Allegro commodo
ii. Larghetto sostenuto
iii. Rondo

Postcards from France for clarinet and viola (1991) - Nigel Sabin (1960 - )

i. Brittany
ii. By Train to Paris

Trio No.1 for flute, viola and cello, Op. 12 (1775) - Tomasso Giordani (1730 - 1806)

i. Allegro
ii. Largo
iii. Rondeau

| Sirius Chamber Ensemble was formed in 2011 by Ian Sykes and Dr Alison Evans and is committed to premiering new works alongside the classics in a friendly, accessible atmosphere. We regularly feature programmes of music showcasing the music of local composers, including recent premieres by Keyna Wilkins, Troy Russell and Gareth Lewis. We have presented coproductions with Blush Opera, Hammerings Records and Melbourne Composers League, and a collaboration with composer and saxophonist Spike Mason led to the recording of his album Flying (2017/18). Two albums featuring works by Australian women composers Margaret Sutherland and Meta Overman were released in 2025/6.\n\nMelissa Coleman (flute). Melissa is an active freelance performer on flute, piccolo and alto flute. Holding a Master of Music degree from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Melissa has performed with Sydney International Orchestra, Sydney Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Opera, Blush Opera, the NSW Police Band and Singing Bird Productions among others.\n\nMelissa regularly performs solo recitals across Sydney, and is co-artistic Director of Sydney’s prominent Sirius Chamber Ensemble. Especially passionate about promoting and performing contemporary Australian chamber music, Melissa relishes any opportunity to create recital programs that point to issues of social justice, equality and shared humanity.\n\nIan Sykes (clarinet) graduated with a Bachelor of Music (first class honours) from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Music (performance) degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He is a founding member of Sirius Chamber Ensemble, with which he has toured throughout Australia and performed new works by many notable Australian composers. He is a full-time member of the NSW Police Band, and also maintains a busy career as a freelance musician, dividing his time between chamber and orchestral music, music theatre and pedagogy. Ian has performed in productions of Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd and Annie, with Sydney Philharmonia, Southern Cross Symphony, Opera Australia Orchestra, Blush Opera, as well as the education programs for Musica Viva and Sydney Opera House.\n\nLucy Carrigy-Ryan (viola) enjoys an active freelance career playing orchestral and chamber music with various ensembles across Australia. She has a broad range of interests and studied music, Spanish, Italian and law at the Australian National University before moving to Argentina to learn traditional tango music. Most recently, Lucy studied with Maestro Bruno Giuranna at the Stauffer Academy in Italy and the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Switzerland, graduating with a Master of Viola Performance.\n\nClare Kahn (cello) completed a Bachelor of Music with first class honours at the Canberra School of Music under the tutelage of David Pereira. With the aid of a University of Sydney Postgraduate Award she then undertook a Master of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying cello with Susan Blake. Clare performs a wide variety of music, from chamber to orchestral, musical theatre and session work. She is a founding member of Sirius Chamber Ensemble, with whom she has toured throughout Australia and performed the premiere of many new works. Recent performances include work with the Opera Australia Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia, and productions of Beauty and the Beast, Hamilton, Hadestown and Anastasia. |