Dr Jeanell Carrigan AM

Dr Jeanell Carrigan AM is an Associate Professor in Collaborative Piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. She has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative artist in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and throughout Australia, and has recorded for the Bavarian Radio Corporation, the ABC, and for regional stations in Australia on many occasions. She holds a Doctor of Creative Arts exploring Australian post-1970 solo piano repertoire, and in February 2025 released her thirty-fifth compact disc of Australian piano and chamber music. Carrigan has experience at all levels of teaching and specialises in coaching chamber music and instrumental, vocal, and piano collaboration.

She is passionate about promoting Australian music, particularly the piano music of Australian women composers. She has published widely on Australian solo piano repertoire and, more recently, the piano music composed by early 20th century Australian women composers. Her publications include several books: Post-1970 Australian Piano Music (1997); Australian Piano Music of the last Twenty-Five Years (2006); Australian Post-1970 Solo Piano Literature: a study of the available literature including a discussion of the relevant contemporary compositional elements. (LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011); Composing Against the Tide (2016); A Musical Missionary. The Life and Music of Dulcie Holland (2020), (co-authored with Dr. Rita Crews OAM); Australian Piano Music 1850-1950. A Guide to the Composers and Repertoire (2021);The Music of Meta Overman. Queen of Colour and Fantasy (2021); Breaking the Drought. Roy Agnew: Composer, Pianist and Teacher (co-authored with Dr. Rita Crews OAM) (2022); Amayzing May. The Life and Work of May Howlett (2024); A National Treasure. Celebrating the Life and Achievements of Larry Sitsky. (2024) (co-authored with Dr. Rita Crews OAM) (2024), and over eighty volumes of piano and chamber music written by Australian women published by Wirripang, Australia.

One of her latest series of published works is The Composers’ Series. The series includes the complete piano works of ten composers: Iris de Cairos-Rego, Marjorie Hesse, Kitty Parker, Una Bourne, Esther Kahn, Esther Rofe, Linda Phillips, Frank Hutchens, Lindley Evans and Mirrie Hill, biographical, performance and editorial notes and a recording of each work.

Carrigan has recently recorded almost the entire collection of compositions by Dutch-born Australian composer Meta Overman, including two of her operas, Grotesque and Psyche, all the piano music, twelve chamber music works and songs for voice and piano.

In a review of the CD A Little Variation, composer Houston Dunleavy said “Jeanell Carrigan is a passionate pianist. She seems to be able to harness that passion and find works by primarily Australian composers that deserve a thorough, active listening. Without her, a lot of good music would lie mouldering in the corner and never be discovered. Carrigan’s past work, for labels such as Wirripang and the Australian Music Centre has showcased her taste for diversity and eclecticism in over a dozen released recordings. This recording is one to add to the list of treasures of Australian music that seem to be growing by the year. Surely Jeanell Carrigan belongs in this category as well. Australian music has a great champion in Carrigan’s fine playing and scholarship. She deserves far wide recognition for the quality of her work.” (2015)

In a review of the CD Reverie Alex Raineri wrote “Jeanell Carrigan has a remarkable and impactful career, particularly as an exponent of historical Australian works.” “A compelling disc that features excellent pianism and artistry from Jeanell Carrigan.” (Music Trust, June 2022)

In 2019 Carrigan was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (AM) “For significant service to music education, particularly piano, and to the performing arts.” (Website: www.jeanellcarrigan.com)

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