MEDIA RELEASE – Thursday 31 October 2024
Piano Plus Australia (Piano+), incorporating the Sydney International Piano Competition, one of the world’s great piano competitions, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mark Coughlan to the newly created position of Executive Director, effective immediately. Mark brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision that promises to inspire and invigorate our artistic community.
Mark has an impressive background in musical performance, education and business. He was most recently CEO of the West Australia Symphony Orchestra. He studied music at the University of Western Australia before moving to London where he lived and worked for several years before returning to WA to become Head of the Music Faculty at the University of Western Australia. Mark was a Board Member of Musica Viva Australia and was Federal Chairman of the Australian Music Examinations Board, and has established and directed many performance programs, including a number that support and promote young people in the arts. Mark is also the owner and director of the Orangery Gallery in Perth, a restored arts space for West Australian artists and musicians.
As a pianist, Mark has performed widely, playing a variety of repertoire including piano concertos, solo recitals, vocal accompaniment and chamber music. Mark was a member of the jury for the 2021 Sydney International Piano Competition.
“We are excited to welcome Mark Coughlan to our team” said Tracie Elvidge, Chair of the Board of Piano+. “His deep experience in staging world class piano performances and his understanding of what it means to hear and play piano at the highest level will bring a depth and insight to Piano+ to help us realise our artistic vision”.
“I’m honoured to join Piano Plus Australia and the Sydney International Piano Competition and look forward to working with the team to create compelling and thought-provoking experiences for our audiences and patrons” Mark said. “I’m looking forward to working on programs such as the Out West Piano Fest, bringing brilliant piano performances to beautiful, historic places such as Blackdown Farm in Bathurst. I am committed to Piano Plus Australia nurturing the development of our most talented emerging artists as well as supporting the careers of the country’s professional pianists. The Sydney International Piano Competition is an important Australian musical icon and one of the best competitions in the world. I’m very excited to be working with Artistic Director Piers Lane on the competition’s 50th anniversary in 2027 and to make that an outstanding event.”
For more information about Piano+ and our upcoming programs, please visit pianoplus.com.au
About Piano Plus Australia (Piano+)
Piano+ is an exciting new company emerging from the almost 50-year-old Sydney International Piano Competition (The Sydney). Piano+ is an essential resource for pianists and concertgoers nationally and will foster the joy of piano-playing and provide opportunities for music education.
Over five decades, The Sydney has been in the international keyboard spotlight and has nurtured the very best of young international and Australian pianists. It has provided opportunities for audiences to hear great talent, not only in Australia, but around the world. Now, Piano+ expands its remit, offering further musical experiences annually and presenting The Sydney itself every four years.
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