Keynotes & Performers

Clint Bracknell is a Noongar song-maker, composer, and Professor of Music at the University of Western Australia. He investigates connections between song, language, and landscapes while working on significant projects to improve Indigenous community access to cultural heritage collections. Clint co-edited the Cambridge Companion to Music in Australia (2024), holds a PhD in Noongar song traditions and has received awards and nominations composing for Australian stage productions over the past two decades. He has co-translated world-first Indigenous language works in film and theatre, leads development of the Mayakeniny Noongar performance resource website, and releases Noongar music under the name Maatakitj. He recently collaborated with Angelique Kidjo and was the support act for her 2024 Australian tour. In 2023, he composed for and performed with Kronos Quartet. Clint co-produced and co-presented Song With No Boss, an Australian podcast series for ABC Radio National. He serves as Chair of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Council, a member of Creative Australia’s inaugural First Nations Board, and as an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

Guitar brilliance and incandescent vocals. These exceptional performers connect and capture audiences all over the world through the power of song. It’s made even more special when it’s sung in rare Noongar language. Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse bring a fresh, modern take on ancient traditions; merging evocative sounds, natural acoustic instruments, poignant stories with that incredible, beautiful voice. Gina is a Balladong (Noongar) daughter, covering the south west corner of Western Australia. She has connection to the Kija people of the East Kimberley through her grandmother’s line. By official records, Noongar language is critically endangered, with only a few speakers left. As well as four albums, they have released three major works; Koort for the Festival of Perth, Koorlangka: Reimagined for the inaugural Perth International Cabaret Festival and Koolbardi wer Wardong for a sell-out season for the West Australian Opera. In February 2024 they premiered their most recent major work, Wundig wer Wilura, commissioned by the West Australian Opera, at the Festival of Perth. Currently they are working on the third instalment of their Kalyakoorl song cycle, Moort, to be released in 2025. 2024 has also included the first sighting (Awesome Festival – September) of Aliwah Bardinar! a work for young people, and a tour of the the UK including performances and a major workshop with local Cardiff youth for the Llais Festival. Performing with the all-important blessings of Gina’s elders and community, this duo will leave you breathless!