Ronan Apcar is a pianist and composer who is garnering a reputation of versatility, edge, and tenacity. Described as “a talent beyond his age” (Limelight Magazine), his love for music across many styles – jazz to the avant-garde, contemporary art music to alternative rock and pop – translates into his open-minded, exciting, and unique work as a musician.
After graduating from the ANU School of Music as dux, Ronan has since performed and worked in an eclectic array of settings. Appearances include the Canberra International Music Festival and the Australian Youth Orchestra, and as a soloist with orchestras including the Penrith Symphony and Sydney Contemporary Orchestra.
A nominee for the prestigious Freedman Fellowship, Ronan is becoming known for his thoughtful, innovative, and unconventional programming and has self-presented numerous performances, ranging from genre-defying cabaret to experimental new music concerts, and free improvisations in art galleries to theatre-music fusion shows in cafés.
As an associate artist, Ronan has worked with National Opera and Moorambilla Voices, who he has performed and recorded with at the Sydney Opera House, and enjoys collaborating in interdisciplinary projects, having worked with dancers and videographers in the past.
Ronan is a fierce advocate for Australian music, seeing it as crucial to our national cultural identity. His debut album ‘Dulcie Holland Crescent’ – a collection of forgotten works by Dulcie Holland – was made one of ABC Classic’s feature albums. Soon after, he premiered Holland’s Piano Concertino with Leonard Weiss and Canberra Sinfonia, for which he was awarded a Canberra Critics’ Circle Award.
Besides music, Ronan is a tragic beach bum and enjoys road trips. He loves a good mountain-top view, a quick boogie, doing general knowledge quizzes (though never doing very well) and enjoys volunteering in local co-operatives.
Ronan is honoured to be at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in 2024 for his second year, studying with Timothy Young.
FROM: Sydney, NSW. Lands of the Gadigal people.
Ronan is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Andrew Blanckensee, Aurel Dessewffy and Olga Vujovic, Peter and Margaret Janssens, Tony and Allison Kelly, Ralph and Margaret Plarre, Ken Schroder, Mick and Margaret Toller and Robert Whitehead
Photo by Pia Johnson.