"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, educator 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.
As a violist, Kieran's performances have been described as “skilful [and] beautifully vulnerable” (CutCommon), “[combining] technique and repertoire with mastery” (Raquel Bastos) to demonstrate “an artistic conviction that was a joy to witness” (CutCommon). Regularly in demand across Australia and the world, he has premiered pieces written for him by the likes of Chris Perren, Connor D’Netto and Allison Wright; appeared as a featured soloist in concerts for Argo, Backstage Music and Metro Arts; performed with groups such as Ensemble Offspring, the Bang on a Can All Stars and the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble; and toured China with the Sydney Dance Company. Regularly collaborating with musicians across all genres, Kieran has worked with the likes of Ed Kuepper (The Saints), Eskimo Joe, Exhibitionist, George, Kate Miller-Heidke, Michael Bolton and Parkway Drive. He is the core violist of indie chamber septet Nonsemble, and regularly performs with Queensland's chamber orchestra Camerata.
Kieran curates and regularly performs in the post-genre concert series Dots+Loops. Inclusively exploring the spaces in between a traditional classical concert, an underground club gig, and an experimental art show, the series takes exciting, adventurous and thought-provoking music and art of all kinds, and places it in relaxed, accessible urban spaces. Since 2014, the series has presented sixteen critically acclaimed concert experiences, featuring Australian and world premieres of music by the likes of Nico Muhly, Caroline Shaw, Kate Moore 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.
A performance fellow at Bang on a Can's internationally regarded Summer Festival in both 2016 and 2018, other fellowships include being selected for Ensemble Offspring's Hatched Academy in 2017, and the Hong Kong Modern Academy in 2015. He completed an MPhil in Music Performance at the University of Queensland in 2017, where he studied with Patricia Pollett, Lisa Grosman and Robert Davidson.
When not involved in the above artistic pursuits, you'll likely find him spending quality time with his two-year-old rescue dog Lily, and investigating how many flat whites he can drink in one day.
"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, educator 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.
As a violist, Kieran's performances have been described as “skilful [and] beautifully vulnerable” (CutCommon), “[combining] technique and repertoire with mastery” (Raquel Bastos) to demonstrate “an artistic conviction that was a joy to witness” (CutCommon). Regularly in demand across Australia and the world, he has premiered pieces written for him by the likes of Chris Perren, Connor D’Netto and Allison Wright; appeared as a featured soloist in concerts for Argo, Backstage Music and Metro Arts; performed with groups such as Ensemble Offspring, the Bang on a Can All Stars and the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble; and toured China with the Sydney Dance Company. Regularly collaborating with musicians across all genres, Kieran has worked with the likes of Ed Kuepper (The Saints), Eskimo Joe, Exhibitionist, George, Kate Miller-Heidke, Michael Bolton and Parkway Drive. He is the core violist of indie chamber septet Nonsemble, and regularly performs with Queensland's chamber orchestra Camerata.
Kieran curates and regularly performs in the post-genre concert series Dots+Loops. Inclusively exploring the spaces in between a traditional classical concert, an underground club gig, and an experimental art show, the series takes exciting, adventurous and thought-provoking music and art of all kinds, and places it in relaxed, accessible urban spaces. Since 2014, the series has presented sixteen critically acclaimed concert experiences, featuring Australian and world premieres of music by the likes of Nico Muhly, Caroline Shaw, Kate Moore 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.
A performance fellow at Bang on a Can's internationally regarded Summer Festival in both 2016 and 2018, other fellowships include being selected for Ensemble Offspring's Hatched Academy in 2017, and the Hong Kong Modern Academy in 2015. He completed an MPhil in Music Performance at the University of Queensland in 2017, where he studied with Patricia Pollett, Lisa Grosman and Robert Davidson.
When not involved in the above artistic pursuits, you'll likely find him spending quality time with his two-year-old rescue dog Lily, and investigating how many flat whites he can drink in one day.
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
