Industry Partners

Supported Project: 2022 Residency Co-Commission

The 2022 AAO X InPlace artist in residence is Amos Roach, artist and proud Djab Wurrung/Gunditj Mara and Ngarrindjeri man, who will be undertaking an extended residency to continue composition of an ambitious song cycle based around the seasons in South-eastern Australia.

‘Six Seasons’ is a major new commission by Amos Roach and is a cross-disciplinary work for musicians of the Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) and dancers and evolved from the AAO’s First Nations Artist Residency Program in 2021.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and Office for the Arts through the Rise Fund.

About Amos Roach

Amos Roach is an award-winning musician, dancer and director and proud Djab Wurrung/Gunditj Mara and Ngarrindjeri man. A cultural practitioner, traditional First Nations culture informs the fundamentals of his craft. His music is part of the songline that connects people and Country. His dances also reconnect country to culture. He uses traditional instruments, songs, music and dance to tell stories of Songlines, Family and Country and aims to bring traditional instruments into the mainstream canon.

Amos has been playing keyboard, guitar, bass and Yidaki since he was eight years old, and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s best Yidaki players. As a musician, Amos has regularly performed with a host of bands and artists like Dave Arden, Black Magic, No Fixed Address and with father, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter and the Roach Family Band. Amos also creates his own stages and events, with his own Company, Herding Cats Management & Events, showcasing First Nations performers and is Director of Murrundaya Yepengna, a dance troupe.

An equally talented dancer and choreographer, Amos is the director of the award-winning Neon Ngargee, an ongoing project with the Murrundaya Yepengna that uses neon colour, ochre and black lights in a celebration of Kulin Nations dance and songs.