The brainchild of composer, visual artist and author, Matt Ottley, The Sound of Picture Books is a multi-modal and immersive performance that combines music, visual images, and narration. Glimpse the extraordinary creative process as Matt, with audience assistance, transforms text and image into music that is then played live, bringing to life the multi-award-winning picture book How to Make a Bird written by Meg McKinlay. Also featuring Tina Wilson and musicians Timothy Lee and Kirsty Vickers. This is a family event that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Recommended for ages six and up.
Matt Ottley (Australian)
Matt Ottley is an acclaimed and multiple award-winning author, illustrator and composer. His recent picture book, How to Make a Bird (with Meg McKinlay), was the winner of the CBCA’s Picture Book of the Year Award and joint winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Children’s Literature. As a composer, and an endorsed Yamaha musician, Matt has written scores for many of his picture books, which have been performed by orchestras and musicians across Australia and internationally.
Tina Wilson (Australian)
Tina Wilson is an artist and author moving between painting, drawing, writing and illustrating books. She founded the Lester Prize and was its executive director for ten years. In 2013 she was awarded the Premier’s Active Citizenship Award for her contribution to the arts and in 2023 was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to the arts.
Timothy Lee (Australian)
At the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Timothy Lee received his Bachelor of Music degree with Highest Distinction in violin performance studying under Charles Castleman, and he additionally studied the viola under George Taylor. Timothy currently works as a violin, piano and viola tutor, conductor and accompanist at Sydney Grammar School.
Kirsty Vickers (Australian)
Kirsty is an enthusiastic educator and classically trained cellist with much experience recording and performing many genres of music as a soloist, within orchestras and chamber ensembles in concert halls, at festivals, on television, radio, film scores and rock and pop albums. Her love of early music in particular has led to historically informed performances on baroque cello with many ensembles including Ironwood and The Song Company. She currently enjoys tutoring cello both privately and within a few Sydney schools.
