Luke Severn
Concert cellist, composer, and musical director, Luke Severn possesses a musical voice of great versatility and passion. Noted for his expressive performances and dynamic and engaging personality he is emerging as an artistic tour de force in the Australian musical landscape.
As a soloist, Luke is a champion of both the standard concerto literature and new exciting works for cello and orchestra. In recent seasons he has performed as a soloist with The Monash Academy Orchestra, The Essendon Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Sinfonia among others. In 2018, through Spark Youth Dance Company’s production of Ariadne, Luke gave the Australian Premiere of the Concerto for Cello and Strings (2008) by British-Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova.
A highly sought-after chamber musician, Luke has performed in festivals and chamber music series throughout Australia, Europe and North America. Performing alongside duo partner and pianist Elyane Laussade, he performs across Australia throughout the year. He completed a Piano Trio tour of Canada in 2017 with North American virtuosi Andrew Sords, violin, and Cheryl Duvall, piano. He engages in many other chamber ensemble performances as a freelance artist in Victoria, including appearances with the Blackwood Ensemble, Casey Chamber Musicians, and Allotropy String Quartet.
In 2018 Luke and pianist, Elyane Laussade collaborated on what was to be his debut recording project, Humanation. A celebration of music by five different queer composers in commemoration of landmark progress of LGBT rights in Australia. Presented by the Laussade Studio in Melbourne the programme was performed in June of 2018, coinciding with international pride month.
As a composer, Luke’s works represent a deep level of empathy towards time, place and emotions, with a particular focus on the intimacy of chamber ensembles. 2018 marked the premieres of two new chamber works, Beneath the Surface for soprano and string quartet (commissioned and premiered by Australian soprano, Kelsey Cotton) and “...when the world was young” for cello and piano. Both works represent a personal reflection on changes experienced through life, both in love and loss and the shared experience of a changing environment. Luke’s first full length stage work will be premiered in October 2019 by Spark Youth Dance Company.
A protégé of Russian cellist Karine Georgian, Luke holds a Bachelor of Music degree with First Class Honours from Monash University in Melbourne. Prior to this he studied at the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, under the tutelage of noted Australian chamber musician and pedagogue Josephine Vains, and has performed in masterclasses for Lynn Harrell, Richard Aaron, and Maria Kliegel. Having had some extraordinary teachers and mentors, Luke has become a passionate educator himself and enjoys teaching in his private studio in Melbourne as well as directing many community music initiatives.
www.lukesevernmusic.com
