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Emeritus Professor Michael Atherton AM is a composer, performer, and scholar whose career encompasses music, research, and cultural leadership. He studied literature at the University of New South Wales, music at the University of Sydney, and the University of New England, where he developed a lasting interest in ethnomusicology, and earned a PhD in cultural history at the University of Technology Sydney. A prominent figure in Australian musical life for decades, Michael has performed with the Renaissance Players, worked as a music therapist at Rivendell alongside Dame Professor Marie Bashir, pioneered cross-cultural music with Sirocco, led Southern Crossings, and performed internationally for Musica Viva. Appointed Foundation Professor of Music at Western Sydney University in 1993, he played a key role in shaping teaching and research, with a strong focus on Australian musical expression. His senior roles include Head of the School of Contemporary Arts and Dean of Research, and he has supervised numerous research candidates. He has also chaired federal and state arts funding committees. Michael is widely recognized for his expertise in musical instruments and sound-making objects, particularly from Australia and the Asia-Pacific. His books include Australian Made, Australian Played (2015), In Exile from St. Petersburg (2017), A Coveted Possession (2018), and his memoir, Never Miss a Beat (2025). In addition to his academic work, Michael has maintained an active creative practice, composing for the concert hall, film, television, and radio. He retired from Western Sydney University in 2012 and was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor. His awards include the Centenary Medal, Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts, and appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia.

Michael Atherton — current to February 2026