Born in Brisbane/Meanjin, Steven Bryer has wanted to play percussion ever since he heard the hammer played in Mahler’s Sixth Symphony. He has performed with orchestras across Australia and overseas, most recently playing Mahler’s Fourth Symphony with renowned chamber orchestra, Ensemble Q. He successfully auditioned for the 2022 Australian Youth Orchestra programs, including the National Music Camp and their Winter Season, touring the Australian east coast with Strauss’ Alpine Symphony.
In 2022, Steven graduated with a Graduate Certificate in Music Studies (Percussion) from Queensland Conservatorium, where he also completed his Bachelor of Music in Performance under the guidance of Synergy Percussion founding member, Michael Askill. Steven was Principal Percussionist of Brisbane Symphony Orchestra for six years, playing a variety of music ranging from Mozart to accompanying global hip hop group, Bliss n Eso.
Steven is also a proud educator, having taught at the Queensland College of Music in Woolloongabba, Kimberley College in Carbrook and tutored many workshops with Education Queensland over the past few years.
In 2024, Steven is in his second year at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). He is looking forward to continuing his studies under both Peter Neville and John Arcaro and looks forward to the opportunity to work with professional orchestras throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Steven is looking forward to improving his own music making and is passionate about expanding the performance of percussion within Brisbane. He hopes to curate a project to generate interest in percussion performance in the local Brisbane community.
FROM: Brisbane, QLD. Lands of the Jagera/Turrbal peoples.
Photo by Pia Johnson.