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 and exciting work as a musician.
Originally self-taught, Ronan went on to study piano and composition at the Sydney Conservatorium High School and the ANU School of Music, graduating as dux of his year. Past piano teachers include Elizabeth Powell, Wendy Lorenz, and Susanne Powell.
Ronan has since performed and worked in an eclectic array of settings. Appearances include the Canberra International Music Festival and as a soloist with orchestras including the Penrith Symphony and Sydney Contemporary Orchestra. He has collaborated on concerts for Luminescence Chamber Singers and Yass Music Club, and has self-presented numerous performances, ranging from genre-defying cabaret to experimental new music concerts, free improvisations in art galleries, to theatre-music fusion shows in cafés. He has also worked with National Opera and Moorambilla Voices, who he performed with at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.
Ronan aims to be 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 and excited to have commenced at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in 2023, studying with Timothy Young.
FROM: Sydney, NSW. Lands of the Gadigal people.
Ronan’s training at ANAM 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.