This October, classical music up-start Play On presents violinist Kyla Matsuura-Miller in a program of new commissions by Australian composers Sia Ahmad, Aaron Wyatt and Kitty Xiao.

Emerging out of the Collingwood Underground Car Park, classical music series Play On continues to deliver a fresh-take to re-imagine and re-invigorate the classical music experience. Energising audiences with its much-loved shows pairing classical music with electronic acts, this October Play On is thrilled to present the premiere of three new works of contemporary classical music which integrate both classical and electronic elements. The works will be performed live by
Matsuura-Miller in the Abbotsford Convent North Magdalen Laundries and paired with long-form filmed interviews between the artist and each of the three composers.

Founded in 2016 in Collingwood, Play On soon took its breakthrough concept to Europe for a sold-out club show at OHM Berlin. In 2019 it returned to Europe for a three-city tour to Peckham London, Berlin and Copenhagen. Back in Australia it has curated shows for Rising, Melbourne Music Week, Vivid and more.

“The meticulously curated series of concerts encourages a new relationship between audience and performer, performer and space, and space and sound."
- Finding Figaro

“The synergy of genres, artists and settings consistently produces authentic and spellbinding performances."
-Thea Rossen

Growing up playing classical music in Australia, Kyla Matsuura-Miller rarely came across music by composers who looked like her. When she won one of Australia’s top music prizes in 2021 – the Freedman Fellowship – Matsuura-Miller decided to use the prize money to commission three Australian composers of colour to write new music for her to perform. These works form part of a growing canon of classical repertoire by Australian artists of colour.

Drawing from individual experiences, each piece captures certain themes and memories which are later explored through a series of interviews between the composer and performer. “Each story is deeply unique - from Sia’s reflection of growing up in a South Asian household and discovering her trans identity to Kitty’s relationship to the languages she spoke and experienced through her family and the wider community” - Kyla