Tanya Sparke

Born 4th June 1962, Newcastle

Education

2001-               Bachelor of Music (Composition), Newcastle University

1984                Post Gradate Diploma in Painting, Sydney College of the Arts

1980-83           Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts), Newcastle College of Advanced Education

Music History

2017/18/19/10/22/22/23          Musical Director- MouthTrap. Musical Director for Sing City. Sydney City Council Choir. Musical Director

                        Choirs. Yrs 7&8.   Yrs 9&10 NHSPA                                                          

2016                Musical Director for Newtown Highschool of the Performing Arts Elite Choirs.

2016                Musical Director for Another Roadside Attraction Choir with performance at The National Folk Festival. Belvoir St in The                   Events with Catherine McClements and Luke Byrne., Darling Harbour xmas programme.

                        Musician in Residence. Bundanon. July/August

                        Solo performance at Kinetic Jazz Festival,Sydney

                        Choirs at Legal Aid Sydney and The City of Sydney Council.    Workshops with Leadership Australia, Benevolent Society.

2014/13/12      The Singing Club. Museum of Contemporary Art,

2012                Musical Director. Cicada children’s choir.

2012                Social Leadership Australia choral workshops with The Benevolent Society, Catholic Care, St Georges Housing,The Smith Family.

2011                Carriageworks Childrens Festival leading workshops and massed choirs. Musician in Residence. Bundanon.

2011                In and Out of Newcastle. Damien Minton Gallery.Redfern

2011/12           Singing Tutor  - Playschool ABC

2006-2010       Vocal Tutor and A cappella teacher ,St Catherine’s School for Girls. Waverley.

2008                Awarded Australia Council Grant for Recording.

2008                Birdship. Solo exhibition. Damien Minton Gallery.

2008-2012       Choral consultant for Voices from the Vacant Lot Choir.

2005-2012       Musical Director for ‘Another Roadside Attraction’ (a cappella choir)

2007/8             Various gigs at The Sound Lounge. Seymour Centre

1995-2006       Singing tutor and A cappella teacher, St Catherine’s School for Girls, Waverley

2005                Soloist for CD launch of Peter Dasent’s Musical Encyclopaedia, The Basement, Sydney

2002                Soloist in Testimony – The Legend of Charlie Parker, with the Australian Art Orchestra, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Concert Hall

1995-2001       A cappella teacher for various community groups, Australia-wide

1998                Support for Tim and Neil Finn, Metro, Sydney

1998                Musical/Artistic Director of A Choral Sea, Massed Choir Sydney Town Hall

1997                Awarded Australia Council Grant for Recording.

1997                Conductor, A Choral Sea, Sydney Town Hall

1986-96           Assistant Musical Director, Café of the Gate of Salvation (choir)

Recording History

2008/10/22      2nd C.D Uncomfortable Little Adjectives.

1999                Testimony – The Legend of Charlie Parker (by Sandy Evans for the ABC

1998                Darkwood Road for Isobel (by Tanya Sparke for Jane Campion, Portrait of a Lady)

1998                Sacred Sound (by Tim Finn for Tim Finn and the Dalai Lama)

1997                Darkwood Road (by Tanya Sparke)

1997                Demo for Chrysalis Music London with Nigel Grange (Sinead O’Connor)

1996                The Sweetest Sound (by Tanya Sparke for Jane Campion, Sweetie)

Tanya Sparke’s remarkable voice and songs are beyond the usual, they are a window into an intimacy hidden in shoeboxes and discussed with redheaded barmaids. A history of love as never told before, a history of life familiar but rarely told with such poetry.

After a lifetime in music Tanya’s skill and class as a singer and composer is a rarity not to be missed.

“Listening to  her  is  a  totally  original  experience.  Treasured, deep, intoxicating”

Jane Campion (film maker/writer)

Her originality, her depth of heart and her incredible voice defy the ordinary. Her poetry and music create some of the best songs written in this country.

“Of the vocal soloists, Sparke’s

gut-wrenching Camarillo pt 2 which ended the first half was a showstopper”.(From Testimony .The Legend of Charlie Parker. Sydney Opera House.)Hilary Shrubb

Sydney Morning Herald