IKON MUSIC draws together the musical activities of Emma
Baker-Spink (soprano) and Therese Milanovic (piano), presenting art
music with a fresh approach.
Emma and Therese met in 2006 through a common love of choral music
and James MacMillan, and developed their work further within the
musical arts ensemble Collusion. Highlights of their partnership to
date have included a live capture by ABC, a rare performance of
Messiaen's vocal works at the First International Conference of
Messiaen studies, performance at the Tyalgum Festival, much
delicious music-making and performing, and the odd tulle outfit.
Their work together is categorised by a commitment to a deep
exploration of the music presented, a joyful communication of music
which they adore, and a great deal of love for what they do.
Performances by the duo are diverse, reaching towards the mystical
and divine in works by composers such as Messiaen, Tavener and
MacMillan, but also revelling in the luscious, the quirky, the
comical, and the dramatic, with composers like Poulenc, Duparc,
Mozart and Kats-Chernin.
EMMA BAKER-SPINK (soprano) has been performing
in and around Brisbane for over 10 years in various capacities.
Largely associated with both Sacred Music and New Music movements
in Brisbane, Emma has been heavily involved in many projects as
both soloist and chorister. Largely trained within the field of
Church Music, she has become a specialist in this area after many
years of both solo and choral-based work within various parishes in
the Brisbane area, including Holy Trinity Fortitude Valley, All
Saints Wickham Terrace, St Mary's Kangaroo Point, and the
Cathedral of St Stephen.
Over many years of singing, Emma has performed as soloist for the
following groups: Brisbane Chamber Choir, Camerata of St John's,
Canticum, St Stephen's Schola, St Stephen's concert series, Bach
Society of Queensland, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Philarmonic
Orchestra's Off the Factory Floor series and Brisbane Chorale.
THERESE MILANOVIC (piano) is in demand as both performer and teacher. Her passions include contemporary music, innovative programming and presentations, chamber music, vocal accompaniment, and developing her growing expertise in musicians' health. She is also particularly interested in bringing contemporary classical music to wider audiences.
In 2009, Therese undertook an intensive residency in New York
City studying with Edna Golandsky and John Bloomfield, successfully
completing training as Australia's first qualified teacher in the
Taubman Approach to piano technique. See
Therese's testimonial here. The Taubman Approach has had
remarkable success in helping pianists reach their full potential
at the instrument through overcoming injury and technical
limitations. The process of training to become a Taubman Instructor
forms the focus of her PhD at the Queensland Conservatorium
Griffith University (QCGU), which she will complete in 2011.
Therese enjoys performing regularly with Topology, with whom she has
toured nationally, performed at the Jakarta International Arts
Festival, Brisbane Festival, and in collaboration with musicians
such as the Brodsky Quartet, and drummer Grant Collins.
From 2002-2008, Therese's primary performing commitment was as
pianist with Collusion musical arts ensemble, of which she was a
co-founding member. Highlights included an acclaimed Brisbane
subscription concert series, collaborations with fabulous artists,
debut CD release In Depth with Move Records, ABC broadcasts,
performances with Queensland Ballet's vis-a-vis series, touring as
part of Musica Viva in Schools and with Musica Viva Country
Wide.
Therese graduated from QCGU with a Master of Music, studying with
Natasha Vlassenko and Oleg Stepanov.
