First Nations Program

Ensemble Offspring’s First Nations Program is underpinned by genuine long term relationships with First Nations collaborators and consultation with community facilitated by our First Nations Director Kaleena Smith. Beginning our journey as Ensemble in Residence for Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers back in 2016, we have helped to develop the careers of more than ten of Australia’s most well recognised Indigenous composers including our First Nations Composers in Residence - Brenda Gifford, Nardi Simpson, Eric Avery and James Henry. We are currently developing a new children’s show with Tim Gray and Orchestra Victoria and Nardi Simpson’s Freshwater Woman will be toured extensively.

Kaleena Smith
First Nations Director

  • Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers

    Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers builds bridges for Indigenous musicians to further develop their composition skills and connect with the art music sector. Guided by lead mentor Dr Christopher Sainsbury and guest mentors, the program supports a cohort of composers to develop and premiere new chamber works for Ensemble Offspring over two years. In 2022 the program received the Classical:Next Innovation Award and in 2023 our ABC Classic album 'To Listen To Sing' featuring alumni from the program, was nominated for a Best Classical ARIA Award.

    Ngarra-Burria was founded in 2016 by Dharug composer Dr Christopher Sainsbury and Moogahlin Performing Arts, and is currently a partnership between Ensemble Offspring, Australian Music Centre and Yil Lull First Nations Studio at the Australian National University.

    Contact Dr Christopher Sainsbury if you are interested in participating in 2025.

    Contact

  • First Nations Composer in Residence

    Ensemble Offspring’s biennial First Nations Composer in Residence is a position which launched in 2020 with Yuin composer Brenda Gifford as the first recipient. The residency offers a flexible mentoring environment for the chosen composer working closely with Ensemble Offspring to develop and premiere a new commission or large scale project valued at $4,000 with travel costs covered for interstate participants. The Composer in Residence is encouraged to use the ensemble’s expertise and resources to further their artistic career however they see fit.

    The First Nations Composer in Residence is selected by invitation, usually but not necessarily from the cohort of First Nations artists who have graduated from Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers.


    This position for 2025-2026 is now filled.

    Contact

Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers

Get a feel for this internationally recognised cultural program.

Testimonials

  • Christopher Sainsbury

    Founder and Artistic Director, Ngarra-Burria

    “To date, Ensemble Offspring are still the lead ensemble in the career development of First Nations composers and the profiling of First Nations composers’ music. Their approach stems from relationships that they develop with the composers. It’s two-way, long-term, and it’s real!”

  • Nardi Simpson

    Composer in Residence 2021
    Ngarra-Burria 2019-2020

    “Being Ensemble Offspring’s First Nations Composer in Residence gave me the opportunity to explore and express my cultural obligations and connections to country and community. I have relationships and knowledge that will sustain me the rest of my making life.”

  • Aaron Wyatt

    Ngarra-Burria 2021-2022

    “Beyond providing me with an invaluable opportunity to develop my own compositional style, the Ngarra-Burria program has rightfully established itself as a leading platform for Indigenous musicians to launch themselves into the art music world. It contributes so much to our shared cultural heritage.”

  • James Henry

    Composer in Residence 2023-2024
    Ngarra-Burria 2019-2020

    “My collaboration with Ensemble Offspring has illuminated the possibilities of writing for a quality ensemble. They've not only optimized my compositions but also fostered my growth as a composer, creating a transformative journey together.”

  • Brenda Gifford

    Composer in Residence 2020
    Ngarra-Burria 2017-2018

    “My time as Ensemble Offspring’s First Nations Composer in Residence was invaluable. It gave me an opportunity to pick the brains of killer musicians and learn about writing for a chamber ensemble. They were supportive of my process, and their ongoing support for First Nations composers has been great.”

  • Rhyan Clapham

    Ngarra-Burria 2018

    “What I love about Ngarra-Burria and Ensemble Offspring’s contribution and participation in this initiative is that we’re meeting together. It’s not redoing history but it’s re-understanding history, and we’re doing that through music.”

Alumni & Works

  • First Nations Composer in Residence

    James Henry – Big Swell (2023) from Dreamscapes
    soprano, flute, bass clarinet, vibraphone
    Premiered at The Church, Sydney on 29 May 2023

  • First Nations Composer in Residence

    Eric Avery – Biamanga Juxtaposed (2023)
    2 violins, marimba, cello
    I. Wind (Of Ancestors)
    II. Ancient Improv
    III. Eagle and Crow

    Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers

    Mark Ross – Loss and Lost (2022)
    clarinet, percussion, piano

    Will Kepa – Sleepless Dreaming (2022)
    bass clarinet, vibraphone, piano

    Aaron Wyatt – Cumulus (2022)
    bass clarinet, vibraphone, piano

  • First Nations Composer in Residence

    Nardi Simpson – -barra (2021)
    solo voice, choir, mixed ensemble
    Premiered at Sydney Festival, City Recital Hall, 2022

    Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers

    Mark Ross – Streets of Sydney (2021)
    clarinet/bass clarinet, vibraphone, violin, double bass
    Buy score

    Marlene Cummins – Starting Over (2021)
    jazz ensemble

    Aaron Wyatt – Cirrus (2021)
    bassStreets of Sydney clarinet, vibraphone, violin, double bass
    Buy score

  • First Nations Composer in Residence

    Brenda Gifford – Djana (Talk) (2020)
    alto flute, bass clarinet, vibraphone/clapsticks
    Premiered at Ngarra-Burria, Old 505 Theatre, 2020
    Buy score

    Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers

    James Henry – Zoom Meeting (2020)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    James Henry – The Rains (2020)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Eric Avery – Gliding (2020)
    flute, bass clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Marlene Cummins and Kevin Hunt – Past, present, so what (now)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello

    Will Kepa – Ailan Opping (2020)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Nardi Simpson – Blaktopia (2020)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello

    Nardi Simpson – Burruguu (Time of Creation) (2020)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    2020 ABC Fresh Start Commission

    Nardi Simpson – Of Stars and Birds (2020)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone
    Buy score | Education kit

  • Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers

    James Henry – Today’s the Day (2019)
    SATB saxophone quartet
    Buy score

    Nardi Simpson – Wilga’s Last Dance (2019)
    SATB saxophone quartet
    Buy score

    Eric Avery – Saxophone Quartet
    (2019)
    SATB saxophone quartet

    Brenda Gifford – Home (2019)
    SATB saxophone quartet

    Listen on ABC Classic
    Australian Music Centre article

  • Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers

    Rhyan Clapham – Talk To Me, I’m Listening (2018)
    soprano, bass clarinet, violin, piano
    Buy score

    Troy Russell – New Home/Hymn (2018)
    flute, bass clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Brenda Gifford – Miriwa (Sky) (2018)
    voice, clarinet, violin, piano
    Buy score

    Tim Gray – Lupe vs Demons (2018)
    soprano, bass clarinet, violin piano

    Elizabeth Sheppard – Warangka Makialo (Song of the Builders) (2018)
    soprano, flute, clarinet, piano, cello

    Elizabeth Sheppard – Kaya Mary (The Blue Pool) (2018)
    soprano, alto, flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello

    Listen on ABC Classic

  • Music For The Dreaming (ABC Classic Kids)

    All works by Brenda Gifford (arr. Jessica Wells)

    I. Galaa
    II. Rompy Stompy Crab
    III. Dhugawara
    IV. Plover Bird | Buy score
    V. Gambambara (Seasons) | Buy score
    VI. Ghadu
    VII. Bardju (Footprints) | Buy score
    VIII. Gambambarawaraga

    Listen on Spotify

    2017 AMPlify: Indigenous Composers Initiative

    Brenda Gifford – Bardju (Footprints) (2017)
    alto flute, bass clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Brenda Gifford – Gambambara (Spring) (2017)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Troy Russell – River Life (2017)
    flute, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Troy Russell – Nucoorilma (The Apple Tree) (2017)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Elizabeth Sheppard – Kooranginy (2017)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello

    Tim Gray – Lupe Suite (2017)
    flute, clarinet, percussion, cello
    Buy score

    Rhyan Clapham – Pitara Yaan Muruwariki (2017)
    flute, clarinet, vibraphone, cello
    Buy score

    Listen

Learn More

  • Purchase Ngarra-Burria Gurung, Educational Resource Kit for primary school educators

    Learn More
  • Rhyan Clapham playing drums

    Read Ensemble Offspring's Commitment to First Nations Artists

    View
  • Ngarra-Burria composers and mentors

    Explore Ngarra-Burria works on the Australian Music Centre

    View
  • Rhyan Clapham, Aaron Wyatt and Christopher Sainsbury

    Ngarra-Burria wins Classical:Next Innovation Award

    Learn More

  • Our Ngarra-Burria Album "To Listen, To Sing"

    Learn More