BIOGRAPHY
“A multi instrumentalist in the true sense of the term” - Stephanie Elaske - Cut Common Magazine
Imbued with the ethereal textures of folk music, ornate instrumentals, and bardic storytelling, the sonic pallet of multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and ABC Classic commissioned composer The Emerald Ruby share’s musical milieu with Sufjan Stevens, Joanna Newsom and Missy Higgins. Whimsical in nature, her gentle songs are juxtaposed by dark undertones cultivated in the chaos of late-diagnosed neurodivergence.
A kaleidoscope of influences nourish every performance from this multi-genre powerhouse; The hazy virtuosity of 18th-century French flute music, chaotic abstractions of a moonlit jazz jam, and trading traditional jigs and reels at a folk session are drenched with a mood only decades of musical adventures along Australia’s east coast can inscribe.
After graduating from the University of Newcastle in 2015 under the tutelage of Sally Walker (flute), Phillip Rutherford (composition), and Colin Spiers (composition) with a Bachelor of Music (Honors) and the Maurice and Betsy Sendak award for outstanding performance, The Emerald Ruby has journey down an unconventional path, touring and recording extensively with the rock bands Othrship, Cacti Moon, Lachlan X morris; folk bands The Button Collective and Vanishing Shapes and Ekstasis chamber music collective. Her prolific appearances in these acts have seen her grace stages at Falls Festival, Great Southern Nights, The Lismore Lantern Parade and Bulga Beats.
The Emerald Ruby was named the 2022 Dots and Loops Composer Fellow (mentored by Sally Whitwell, Conner D’Netto, Chris Perren, Vanessa Tomlinson, and Flora Wong), premiering a new work for percussion (toy drums, rainbow glockenspiel) and electronics (double gameboy, octave pedal, and otamatone) titled “H4LT THE HUSTLE/FROLIC 4EVA” alongside internationally acclaimed percussionist Nozomi Omote. This was followed by a commission from ABC Classic to write and record a collection of Flute duets titled “Finding Fondness” alongside internationally acclaimed flautist Sally Walker which premiered officially at the 2023 Australian Flute Festival.
2023 saw her complete a fellowship in conjunction with Accessible arts NSW and Musica Viva Australia, shaping her beloved instrumental series “Folksy Dreams” into a sculptural installation, live show and workshop series. She is an Australian Music Centre-represented composer and published by Syrinx Music. In 2023, The Emerald Ruby released the debut track “Safety House” from her EP “Patchwork” which was featured on Sydney’s FBI radio.
2024 will feature the conclusion and releases of multiple long term projects as audio, music video and sheet music including “Finding Fondness” (flute duets), “Folksy Dreams volume 3” (instrumental folk music), Patchwork (folk songs) as well as premier new commissions for concert series Backstage Music and Maitland Regional art gallery.
An incredible drive for the art of organised sound has defined the Emerald Ruby’s multi-disciplinary arts practice. Her catalogue of solo original solo and collaborative works is genre defying in the truest sense. From her study as a classical flautist, A she has grown a multi instrumental practice encompassing the ukulele, singing, and many other instruments.
For 10 years The Emerald Ruby has been clicking the shutter of her DSLR and capturing moments. Her skills as a multidisciplinary artist allow her to create images that are distinct and memorable.
She specialises in Portraiture and Gig Photography, photographing herself for The Emerald Ruby fashion project, Flautist Sarah Monk and The Australian Tango Festival.
For 5 years, the Emerald Ruby has been flexing her video skills producing weekly content for Covers Duo Twin Willows, as well as creating whimsical music videos and capturing live concerts. Her practice is informed by her skills as a live music specialist and watercolour artist.
She has captured video for the Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Oz Manouche and Jazz Band Kid Hank.
Since she could hold a pencil, the emerald ruby has cultivated an eclectic and eccentric visual arts practice. Her preferred mediums are what colour, digital art, collage using found materials and mixed media sculpture.
Overtime she has collaborated with musicians such as Cameron Jones and Jake Morton on their album artwork, and collaborated with Maitland regional gallery on a sculptural and sound installation.
She has also utilised her skill for her own releases as album artwork and book covers for sheet music.
I’d like to say a huge thankyou to the following people for contributing to my 2019 crowdfunding campaign that allowed me to repurchase some equipment that was lost. It means the world to me that I have such a lovely community that stepped in when I needed help <3
Sandra Naidoo, Maizy Coombes, The Crooked Fiddle Band, Rohan Parry, Henry Manuell, Brittany Ramage, Christian Rizzalli, Eva Li, Nicholas Scott, Rosalie Bourne, Sally Wal, Belinda Bortolin, Dean Denham, Diane Bull, Liz, Adam, Laura Elsie, Jasper Craig-Adams, Zach Falconer, Julia Rutten, Darren Williams, shani strathdee, Marian Anderson, Peter C Ross, Claudia King, Marcus Hoon, Celeste Verstegen, Crystal Jenkin, James
The Emerald Ruby pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation, the Awabakal people and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.