"Kieran [...] not only delivered a diverse and fascinating program, but throughout every piece demonstrated an artistic conviction that was a joy to witness [...] his interpretation was not only skilful, but beautifully vulnerable" — CutCommon
"Kieran’s [performance] represented the fulfilment of an artist’s imagination, a celebration of the viola sound, technique and repertoire combined with mastery encompassing all performing characteristics..." — Raquel Bastos
Kieran Welch (b. 1992) is an Australian violist, curator, event producer, DJ, teacher and writer. He combines this diverse, yet complementary set of skills with a passion for presenting a wide range of musical genres to varied audiences, and a thorough training in classical viola performance.
Praised for his "fiery" interpretations of contemporary chamber repertoire by CutCommon, Kieran is a core member of new music septet Nonsemble, and solo has premiered pieces written for him by Chris Perren, Connor D'Netto, Joshua Rivory and more. Regularly in demand across Australia and the world, he has appeared as a featured soloist in concerts for Argo, Backstage Music and Metro Arts, performed with groups such as Ensemble Offspring, the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble and Kupka's Piano, and toured China with the Sydney Dance Company. A performance fellow at Bang on a Can's internationally regarded Summer Festival in both 2016 and 2018, he's worked alongside Grammy and Pulitzer prize-winning artists including Steve Reich, John Luther Adams, Julia Wolfe and Nick Photinos. Orchestrally, he performs with Queensland's chamber orchestra Camerata, and has held the position of principal viola in multiple engagements with String Source/Philharmonia Australia.
Kieran curates and regularly performs in the post-genre concert series Dots+Loops. Exploring the space in between a traditional classical concert and an underground club gig, the series takes exciting, adventurous and thought-provoking music of all kinds, and places it in relaxed, accessible urban spaces. Since 2014, the series has presented twelve critically acclaimed concert experiences, featuring Australian and world premieres of music by the likes of Nico Muhly, Caroline Shaw, Missy Mazzoli and Chris Perren, and collaborations with internationally recognised, award-winning artists such as David T. Little, Brechtje and Ashley Bathgate.
Passionate about many different styles of music, Kieran is an award-winning DJ, and regularly presents a unique blend of electronica, techno and house at festivals and clubs throughout Brisbane, operating under the moniker Airport. He also regularly writes for a number of publications, including CutCommon and Rehearsal Magazine.
He completed an MPhil in Music Performance at the University of Queensland in 2017, where he studied with Patricia Pollett and Lisa Grosman, and plays a viola crafted for him by the esteemed German-Australian luthier Helge Grawert.
"Kieran’s [performance] represented the fulfilment of an artist’s imagination, a celebration of the viola sound, technique and repertoire combined with mastery encompassing all performing characteristics..." — Raquel Bastos
Kieran Welch (b. 1992) is an Australian violist, curator, event producer, DJ, teacher and writer. He combines this diverse, yet complementary set of skills with a passion for presenting a wide range of musical genres to varied audiences, and a thorough training in classical viola performance.
Praised for his "fiery" interpretations of contemporary chamber repertoire by CutCommon, Kieran is a core member of new music septet Nonsemble, and solo has premiered pieces written for him by Chris Perren, Connor D'Netto, Joshua Rivory and more. Regularly in demand across Australia and the world, he has appeared as a featured soloist in concerts for Argo, Backstage Music and Metro Arts, performed with groups such as Ensemble Offspring, the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble and Kupka's Piano, and toured China with the Sydney Dance Company. A performance fellow at Bang on a Can's internationally regarded Summer Festival in both 2016 and 2018, he's worked alongside Grammy and Pulitzer prize-winning artists including Steve Reich, John Luther Adams, Julia Wolfe and Nick Photinos. Orchestrally, he performs with Queensland's chamber orchestra Camerata, and has held the position of principal viola in multiple engagements with String Source/Philharmonia Australia.
Kieran curates and regularly performs in the post-genre concert series Dots+Loops. Exploring the space in between a traditional classical concert and an underground club gig, the series takes exciting, adventurous and thought-provoking music of all kinds, and places it in relaxed, accessible urban spaces. Since 2014, the series has presented twelve critically acclaimed concert experiences, featuring Australian and world premieres of music by the likes of Nico Muhly, Caroline Shaw, Missy Mazzoli and Chris Perren, and collaborations with internationally recognised, award-winning artists such as David T. Little, Brechtje and Ashley Bathgate.
Passionate about many different styles of music, Kieran is an award-winning DJ, and regularly presents a unique blend of electronica, techno and house at festivals and clubs throughout Brisbane, operating under the moniker Airport. He also regularly writes for a number of publications, including CutCommon and Rehearsal Magazine.
He completed an MPhil in Music Performance at the University of Queensland in 2017, where he studied with Patricia Pollett and Lisa Grosman, and plays a viola crafted for him by the esteemed German-Australian luthier Helge Grawert.
Press
"Lily goes to see we are breathing + Kieran Welch", review in CutCommon, 04/09/2018
"Bringing Classics to the Club", feature interview for UQ Shorthand, 11/05/2018
Interview about Dots+Loops Companions on Broader Lines, 04/09/2017
"So you want to put on a concert?" feature article for Rehearsal Magazine, 12/05/2017
Interview about Dots+Loops 2017 on Rehearsal Magazine, 12/03/2017
Interview with the Creative Issue, 30/06/2016
Interview with Rehearsal Magazine, 29/06/2016
Feature interview with CutCommon, 01/06/2016
Feature in City North News, 10/12/2015
Interview regarding Dots+Loops on CutCommon, 12/03/2015
"Bringing Classics to the Club", feature interview for UQ Shorthand, 11/05/2018
Interview about Dots+Loops Companions on Broader Lines, 04/09/2017
"So you want to put on a concert?" feature article for Rehearsal Magazine, 12/05/2017
Interview about Dots+Loops 2017 on Rehearsal Magazine, 12/03/2017
Interview with the Creative Issue, 30/06/2016
Interview with Rehearsal Magazine, 29/06/2016
Feature interview with CutCommon, 01/06/2016
Feature in City North News, 10/12/2015
Interview regarding Dots+Loops on CutCommon, 12/03/2015
