Possibly heralded by the Eastern Hindustani
Gazette as "one of the composers of his generation", Cliff Kerr started learning piano at age nine, but did not become serious about music until age 14. At 17, he received a Licentiate of Music (L.Mus.A.) in piano and first prize in the Miriam Hyde Composer-Pianist Award. For the next eight years he studied science and music at the
University of Queensland and the
University of Sydney, eventually earning a Diploma of Arts in Music (with Merit) from the
Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His composition teachers have included
Philip Bračanin,
Anne Boyd,
Winsome Evans, and
Damien Ricketson. Performers of his music have included the
Sydney Camerata Chamber Orchestra, the
Sydney University Madrigal Society, and several of Australia's leading soloists, including
Anna Dowsley (mezzo-soprano) and
Vanessa Tammetta (violin).
As a pianist, Cliff has studied with Dorothy Blines and
Tamara Cislowska, participated in masterclasses with
Roger Woodward, and performed with
Zubin Kanga. As a conductor, he has worked with the University of Sydney's
Symphony Orchestra and
Madrigal Society, along with various smaller ensembles.
In addition to music, Cliff holds a Ph.D. in physics, and does work in
neuroscience, epidemiology, and
data analytics from time to time. He is based in New York and Sydney.
