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Photo: Alistair Dewar

Amanda Handel's diverse musical interests and influences inhabit her sound world and provide a distinctive voice. In 2003 she completed an M.A. (Hons) degree at the University of Western Sydney. Her thesis Music of Balance: Circles and Squares includes a large portfolio of original scores and acoustic recordings which explore mandalas in music.

The Sydney Guitar Trio premiered Dances to the Night Sky at the 1999 Darwin International Guitar Festival and included it on their CD. Carolyn Kidd and Virgina Taylor performed Goarounds and Grounds in a concert broadcast live on ABC-FM radio. Also in 1999, The Song Company included Sznuvah Szn on their program for the 'Sagra Musicale di Perugia' international festival in Italy. Several of her compositions were selected for presentation at the National Festivals of Womens' Music in Canberra, 2001, and Sydney, 1997. Many of her works have been choreographed for dance performances.

Chamber works commissioned in 2002 include Dry Red, which was premiered at the Darwin International Guitar Festival and Red, Yellow, Black and White: Music for Reconciliation for two pianos and percussion, commissioned by Ars Musica Australis. The premiere, given by Daniel Herscovitch, Michael Leslie, Daryl Pratt and Alison Eddington, was recorded and broadcast on ABC-FM. A composer profile program featuring Handel's compositions was broadcast in 2004 by 2MBS-FM.

In 2004 and 2007 Handel studied flamenco music with pianist/composer Pedro Sarmiento in Madrid. While in Spain, she drafted instrumental scores and made field recordings for a CD project. Collaborating with sound designer G.L. Seiler, the album Ghosts and Angels was released in 2006 on the Feral Media label and was a finalist in the Australian Music Prize.

Handel has given many performances on piano in concerts, recitals and master classes. In 2006 she presented a concert of her solo and duo compositions for flute and piano with Naomi Halls. The program Muse and Myth featured two premieres.

Handel is a qualified and accredited piano teacher holding AMusA and ATCL (T. Dip). Her early teachers include Meriel Owen, Albert Landa and Nancy Salas. She has been teaching at the JS Centre since 1991 and has lectured in harmony, analysis and composition at the University of Western Sydney.

Handel has studied soprano saxophone with Sandy Evans and performed in several jazz and world music ensembles. She has considerable experience in flamenco dance and has also collaborated with contemporary dancers and choreographers. Handel is currently a student of the Alexander technique, exploring it's inclusion into her music making.

Currently working on a program of works for piano and didjeridu, Handel can be seen performing 'Blue Labyrinth' with Michael Jackson via the link heading this page.

Amanda Handel — current to May 2010