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Photo: Ross Calia

Angie Coffey is a Melbourne composer whose music is defined by luminous melodic writing, emotional directness, and a contrapuntal sensibility that gives each voice an independent life, an approach she describes as tensile lyricism, where melody and countermelody remain co-equal and inseparable. She trained at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and has worked for decades across concert, screen and recorded media, also producing her own catalogue.

With a particular affinity for strings, Coffey often composes with specific performers in mind, valuing the collaborative relationships that bring each work to life. She embraces the space for listeners to contribute their own interpretations, what she describes as their "beholder's share."

Her recent catalogue reflects an intensive focus on chamber music, including Gone for flute and viola, built from 17 independent lines, Phantasy for violin and viola, Draveon for string trio (premiered by Transfigured String Trio at Hanson Dyer Hall), and Starfly for piano and two violins, all written for the Rapunzel's Sister project. Gone, Draveon and Phantasy have since received multiple broadcasts on ABC Classic and 3MBS FM.

Coffey is currently enjoying a rewarding stretch of work. Her new string trio River Flight, written for the Transfigured Trio, will soon be recorded ahead of its premiere at Elder Hall. She has also begun a new work for guitarist Ken Murray, scored for guitar and loop pedal, and is composing a solo viola version of River Flight. This period also brings the premiere of her solo piano piece Lyrebirds, commissioned by pianist Catherine Broadstock for her 'Piano & Poetry' concert series at Tempo Rubato.

Recordings of her music feature the Grigoryan Brothers, Simon Tedeschi, Joe Chindamo, Zoe Black, Christopher Moore, Eliza Shephard, Molly Kadarauch and David Berlin, among others.

Earlier career highlights include a nomination for Best Music for an Advertisement at the APRA Screen Music Awards for Women Run (2020), along with music for theatre, television and cinema. Coffey is an Associate Artist with the Australian Music Centre and a composer member of APRA AMCOS. She is also a member of Katy Abbott's Catapult Collective, and holds a Bachelor of Music in composition from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Music Technology from La Trobe University.

Angie Coffey — current to May 2026