Sisters in Sync: 3-2-1 with Alexandra Dariescu
In this exclusive Sisters in Sync interview, we sit down with acclaimed pianist and advocate for women’s music, Alexandra Dariescu. Known for her innovative performances and commitment to spotlighting underrepresented composers, Alexandra opens up about the empowering moments in her career, her latest musical discoveries, and the values that drive her creative spirit.
3 Questions - 2 Insights - 1 unique photo with remarkable women musicians
Alexandra Dariescu has established herself as one of classical music's most powerful voices for change, breaking barriers and championing works by female composers that have been overlooked for far too long. From making history with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to introducing a groundbreaking award at the Leeds International Piano Competition, Alexandra is actively reshaping the classical music landscape.
In this candid conversation, Alexandra Dariescu shares her experiences as a transformative force in classical music, from her pioneering performances of works by composers like Nadia Boulanger and Clara Schumann to her insights on building a meaningful career in the industry. Her passion for bringing forgotten masterpieces to light, combined with her commitment to empowering the next generation of musicians, offers a compelling glimpse into how one artist is helping to create lasting change in classical music.
What moment in your career made you feel most empowered as a woman in the music industry?
Every time I perform a piano concerto written by a female composer and it’s a premiere in that specific territory, I feel we are making history together with the orchestra. It’s an incredible honor and a celebration of how far we have come. This happened again on my recent Australian tour—I performed Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and it was the very first time in the 118-year history of the orchestra this concerto was performed!
Also, this year, at the Leeds International Piano Competition, I handed the Alexandra Dariescu Award for an outstanding performance of a work by a female composer. It was the first time in the 60-year history of the competition that such an award was given. That moment felt incredibly empowering, knowing we’re creating change and shaping the future of the next generation of musicians.
What's a recent discovery you've made in music composed or performed by women?
The works for piano and orchestra by Clara Schumann, Nadia Boulanger, Dora Pejacevic, Leokadiya Kashperova, Florence Price, Germaine Tailleferre, Amy Beach, Doreen Carwithen. They truly deserve to be heard!
Who is a lesser-known female musician or composer you believe deserves more recognition and why?
Nadia Boulanger was one of the most influential musicians of all time. Not only did she teach Quincy Jones, Dinu Lipatti, Daniel Barenboim, Aaron Copland but she was also the first woman to conduct the New York and Boston Symphony Orchestras. So it’s astonishing that her Fantaisie Variée did not have its US premiere until 2022, when I performed it with the Houston Symphony. It’s full of original harmonies, with a beautiful middle theme that makes you want to hug the world. And the ending is so triumphant, building to a massive climax.
What's a valuable lesson you've learned throughout your career?
To always stay true to yourself, work hard and dare to dream. Perseverance is key, learn from your mistakes and most importantly don’t give up!
How do you stay motivated and creative in the challenging landscape of the music industry?
Always create and be creative. Don’t wait for the phone to ring! Be as proactive as you can, start conversations and be brave in creating new collaborations. Be curious and imaginative as this is what’s going to keep you thriving in a long term career.
Image Description: A split-screen image showing a virtual meeting between two women. In the top half, Alexandra Dariescu, smiles warmly, seated in a room with soft lighting, a piano visible in the background, and shelves mounted on the wall. She wears a light blue shirt with pearl earrings. In the bottom half, Stephanie Nicholls from Mirabilis Collective smiles in front of a framed poster, seated in a comfortable room. She wears glasses, earrings, and a dark grey top, with the edge of a wooden door and a couch in the background. The image captures a friendly and collaborative moment between the two.
Catch Alexandra Dariescu’s Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra Debut
Alexandra Dariescu makes her debut with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra performing Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto under conductor Magnus Fryklund on Thursday, January 9 2025 at 7:30pm.
Sisters in Sync: 3-2-1 with Hannah Lee Tungate
Hannah Lee Tungate, creative producer and president of Tenth Muse Initiative, is an incredible advocate for underrepresented voices in classical music. Through award-winning shows and innovative projects like the Women Composers Project, she’s creating new platforms for diverse voices in Perth’s music scene. In September's Sisters in Sync interview, Hannah shares her journey, her passion for inclusion, and her vision for a more vibrant and diverse future in classical music.
3 Questions - 2 Insights - 1 unique photo with remarkable women musicians
This month's Sisters in Sync features an inspiring conversation with soprano Hannah Lee Tungate of the Boorloo/Perth-based Tenth Muse Initiative (TMI). Tenth Muse was born out of frustration with the lack of diversity often seen in classical music, but Hannah and her team have transformed that frustration into a vibrant collective that shines a light on diverse voices and fresh perspectives. TMI has achieved remarkable success, including an award-winning Fringe show, nominations in the Performing Arts WA Awards, commissions of new works by emerging composers and poets, and concerts that range from opera to intimate gatherings centred around cups of tea.
Hannah’s passion for amplifying underrepresented voices has guided her journey as a producer and advocate for women composers, especially through the Women Composers Project. As TMI’s president and creative producer, Hannah continues to create platforms for new and diverse voices in Western Australian classical music, driving change with her deep commitment to inclusion.
Tenth Muse Initiative's next event, Sapphic Serenade, will be held on Wednesday 20 November at Perth City Farm, featuring beautiful string quartets by sapphic composers and a twilight market with queer-owned businesses. It’s an evening of calming music to celebrate pride—don’t miss it! Click here for tickets.
In this interview, Hannah shares insights into the inspiration behind her career, the importance of mentorship, and how she’s making classical music more engaging and inclusive for future generations.
What’s one piece of advice from a woman in music that has stuck with you?
Back in 2016, the amazing Jessica Gethin was giving a talk at a Women in Music event at UWA, and she said that most people will give you a small amount of their time for a cup of coffee. If there’s someone who’s further along their career than you or that you admire and you’d like to connect with them or learn from them, ask if you can buy them a coffee. A short amount of their time for a cup of coffee, and you just don’t know where it will lead you (and Tenth Muse Initiative actually wouldn’t exist without it).
Who is a lesser-known female musician or composer you believe deserves more recognition and why?
I find it really challenging to choose just one lesser-known woman composer. There are so many out there deserving of recognition, as there have been so many nearly lost to history.
This week I’ve been listening to Henriëtte Bosmans — the incredible Dutch composer who, despite being labelled as an ‘undesirable’ by the Nazi regime & so was prevented from performing publicly, supported herself by performing at secret underground house concerts. Her considerable oeuvre includes orchestral works, chamber music and many songs.
And of course, Barbara Strozzi will always be on my list — though I think (& hope) she’s becoming more and more well known!
How do you think the music industry can better support and uplift women artists and composers?
Acknowledge that there is a lack of gender representation within the sector and then program more music by women, hire more women as soloists, hire more women as conductors, hire more women into creative leadership roles. And then keep doing it. Keep working on removing the barriers that have kept so many artists suppressed.
How has mentorship, especially from other women, played a role in your career, and what value do you think it brings to emerging female artists?
I’ve been very fortunate to have many amazing mentors and 95% have been other women. The mentorship I’ve received has always come from people I truly admire in the industry, and I’ve been lucky to find many people who want to raise you up instead of tear you down. And I want to continue to do that for other emerging artists that follow me. Mentorship from other women has given me the confidence to keep going, and I know I have a raft of people to support me when I need it.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path as an artist?
It was at PSO’s inaugural Women on the Podium weekend in 2019, and the incredible Bourby Webster was talking to us about the business side of being an artist, and how she’d founded PSO, and all the steps she took to get there. And in that moment the first spark of Tenth Muse Initiative was born. I was so inspired by the path Bourby had taken that it set a fire in me that didn’t go away, and under a year later TMI was born.
I had known that I wanted to see greater representation in the music industry and had been researching women composers for a while, but it was hearing how Bourby took PSO from concept to what the orchestra is today that it just clicked. Everything I have worked towards as an artist since then has been to build Tenth Muse Initiative and tell the stories of all these unheard voices, and raise up artists whose work deserves to be performed.
This image features two people in a virtual meeting. At the top, Hannah Lee Tungate, Creative Producer at Tenth Muse Initiative, smiles at the camera with curly brown hair, wearing glasses and a black top. Her background showcases a vibrant yellow wattle tree against a clear blue sky. Below her, Stephanie Nicholls of Mirabilis Collective smiles as well, wearing glasses and a colourful floral necklace. Behind her is framed artwork featuring musical instruments, including a violin and piano. Both appear engaged and focused on their conversation.
Sapphic Serenade
Sapphic Serenade is an event for the quiet queers. Join Tenth Muse Initiative for an evening of stunning string quartets by sapphic composers; celebrate pride with calming music for voice and strings.
Sisters in Sync: 3-2-1 with Candice Susnjar
In our latest Sisters in Sync interview, we sit down with the talented composer and musician Candice Susnjar. Candice shares her recent discoveries in music by women composers and highlights the powerful impact of mentorship. Dive into the full interview to explore Candice’s journey and her vision for the future of women in music.
3 Questions - 2 Insights - 1 unique photo with remarkable women musicians
In this inspiring Sisters in Sync feature, we connect with Candice Susnjar, a gifted composer and musician whose work resonates with raw emotion and authenticity. Candice shares her recent musical inspirations, including the works of Caroline Shaw, and her passion for unsung female talents like jazz trumpeter Jessica Carlton. Throughout our conversation, Candice reflects on the importance of female voices in music, the value of mentorship, and the advice she wishes she'd had earlier in her career. Her insights provide a powerful glimpse into the experiences of women in the industry, making this a must-read for aspiring musicians and music enthusiasts alike.
What's a recent discovery you've made in music composed or performed by women?
Caroline Shaw’s album Orange has been a beautiful discovery. Her style of composition resonates with me on a deep level and I love her sense of harmony and the textural elements she embraces in her pieces. It reminds me to push myself out of my comfort zone and explore the instruments I am writing for and venture beyond the sounds I am used to hearing and creating.
Who is a lesser-known female musician or composer you believe deserves more recognition and why?
Jessica Carlton is a wonderful jazz trumpet player and composer who plays and composes with such honesty, integrity and beauty. Her music is so authentic and it’s all about the emotion and conveying a message using music. It’s what I aim to do in my own musical expressions.
In what ways do you believe female musicians can drive positive change within the music industry?
Women who show up and live the musical lives they want to live despite the statistics and inherent challenges of being a woman in the music industry are bringing a positive change to the music industry whether they see it or not. The more we show up and put ourselves out there, the more the younger generations will see that this is something they can do too. It just hasn’t been seen enough especially in jazz and classical music.
What piece of advice specifically tailored for women starting in the music industry do you wish you had received?
Just do your thing. Express yourself authentically and with confidence. You may not feel confident but do it anyway. You have something to say that no-one else has ever said and there are people in the world that want to hear it.
How has mentorship, especially from other women, played a role in your career, and what value do you think it brings to emerging female artists?
Encouragement and mentorship from my mentor Bourby Webster has played a significant role in my career. This incredible woman started an orchestra! Her tenacity and courage has been a reminder that we can do anything we set our minds to. Anything is possible. That’s what I would want to tell emerging female artists. Your dreams and goals are possible. Bourby helped me to see that and create a path that continues to lead me closer to these dreams day by day.
