By Tian Li
Naomi Dodd, a young Australian composer, holds the prestigious position of 2024 Cybec Young Composer in Residence at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO).
This year, Dodd created three new works – Cerulean Dances, A Song for the Sleeping, and Run – all world premieres performed by the MSO and broadcast on ABC Classic Music Radio.
The Journey of Becoming a Composer
Reflecting on her journey, Dodd described it as unexpected. Growing up in a family rich with artistic influences, particularly on her mother’s side, creativity was a constant presence. Her grandparents were avid painters, and her mother, an art teacher, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the arts.
Dodd began playing the piano at the age of eight and fondly recalled composing music and creating an album as a Christmas gift for her parents when she was 10, with the help of a family friend.
In high school, Dodd was fortunate to have an inspiring music teacher who deepened her love for music. After completing her HSC, Dodd pursued a Bachelor of Music Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. There she was immersed in a wide variety of musical styles, challenged to experiment with different approaches, and given opportunities to collaborate with other composers.
After university, Dodd began writing her own music and participating in competitions. She noted the value of opportunities provided by ensembles through callouts for young composers to submit their work, saying these initiatives encourage creativity and innovation in the field.
“All these experiences came together like a patchwork over the years,” Dodd said. “It wasn’t something I set as a goal from the beginning – to become a composer. It just unfolded that way, and I’m really glad it did.”
Her Musical Style and Inspirations
Dodd’s music draws inspiration from impressionist artists and composers like Prokofiev and Stravinsky, as well as modern works such as Nautilus by Anna Meredith. Her influences extend to diverse genres, including electronic dance music (EDM), and modern Australian musicians like Nigel Westlake.
By blending these elements, she crafts a unique and captivating sound that reflects her experiences and impressions of themes such as Australian landscapes, coastlines, home, and the human experience. Her compositions range from moments of intense passion and vivid colour to delicate, ethereal fragments.
A Journey with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO)
Dodd’s relationship with MSO began in 2022 when they selected her piece Dawn ’til Dusk in Kosciuszko for performance in 2023. This marked the beginning of her journey as a composer with the orchestra. Impressed by her work, the MSO selected Dodd for their 2024 Cybec Young Composers list.
This pivotal moment accelerated Dodd’s growth as a composer. She reflected on the importance of these opportunities, saying: “That piece was the trigger for my journey with MSO. It’s been incredible to see how one moment can lead to so many others.”
A Connection with ABC Classic
This year, Dodd was interviewed twice by Stéphanie Kabanyana Kanyandekwe, a presenter at ABC Classic. The first interview took place during a live MSO concert in February, where Kanyandekwe hosted the event and interviewed Dodd on stage after her composition Cerulean Dances was performed. The second interview occurred in October during a pre-concert talk, where the composer shared insights on her new piece Run.
One of memorable moments with ABC Classic was when her piece Cerulean Dances was performed by the MSO and broadcast live. The performance received positive feedback. Just weeks later, Dodd was thrilled to hear Cerulean Dances played again on ABC Classic Drive, hosted by Vanessa Hughes, after multiple audience requests.
“It feels like a dream come true, having my music broadcast by ABC was a goal of mine.” Dodd smiled and said: “As a small child, when I composed music, I could never have predicted it would turn into a career in composition.
“I feel very fortunate and thankful that my music is played on ABC Classic and reaches so many people – it’s just amazing.”
A Global Connection Through Music
Dodd excitedly shared that one of her pieces, Scarlet Sculptures, was being performed by two orchestras in California: the Awesome Orchestra Collective and Symphony of the Redwoods respectively. She explained that this connection began years ago when she attended a music camp in the United States during Year 11 and formed a bond with a fellow musician, Phillip Hobson.
This year, Hobson discovered Dodd’s work via internet and expressed interest in performing her piece with the orchestra.
Looking Ahead
Dodd’s journey so far highlights the power of hard work, creativity, and the courage to embrace an uncertain yet promising future.
Her new piece, Run, particularly resonated with me. It captures the essence of our digital age, where we must continually move forward, energised to embrace the challenges and opportunities of modern life.
Featured image: Up-and-coming composer Naomi Dodd on stage. Photo: Naomi Dodd
