Holly Caldwell

Holly Caldwell was born in Naarm/Melbourne and completed her music composition studies at Monash University under the tutelage of Thomas Reiner and Tim Dargaville. She is currently a PhD candidate in musicology at the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music, where she earlier received a Master’s degree. Her research has focused primarily on the intersection of music and place, in particular the composition of art music for children’s performance in Australia as well as the history and natural environment of lutruwita/Tasmania in the works of Tasmanian composer, Don Kay.

Prior to commencing postgraduate research studies, her focus on youth and community engagement led her in 2013 to co-direct the Mullum Mullum: Morning, Noon, Night project – a collaboration which gave primary school students the opportunity to create and perform music in conjunction with university student composers in response to the plight to save the Mullum Mullum valley in Naarm/Melbourne’s east. Her music for professional performers has been heard at various events including the Melbourne Fringe Festival (2012), Melbourne 60x60 (2014), Lake Bolac Eel Festival (2018), Waking the Giants Festival (2018) and Mona Foma (2023).  Holly now lives east of Nipaluna/Hobart with her young family.