Wendy Hiscocks

Composer-pianist Wendy Hiscocks was born in Wollongong near Sydney and began playing the piano at an early age. In her teens she started composing, and went on to study composition with Peter Sculthorpe at University of sydney. Her career started with a two-year residence as composer and composition teacher at a major Perth school that resulted in the establishment of composition as an accredited subject in the West Australian school syllabus.

Since moving to London in 1988 she has received commissions, premieres and broadcasts from distinguished soloists, ensembles and choirs from around the world. As pianist she has appeared internationally at venues ranging from London's Purcell Room to festivals on various continents such as the Kusatsu International Summer Academy and Festival in Japan and Australia's Port Fairy.

Recent premieres include Scott McCarey's performance of Trees and Lightning and Lanterns on Lake Illawarra commissioned for solo piano which are a part of a larger collection called Scenes from an Australian Childhood. Plans for 2010 feature Wendy as composer-in-residence at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville, Australia, and as lecturer and performer in events celebrating the Arthur Benjamin anniversary for a variety of organisations including the ABC.