REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
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https://www.qmta.org.au/events-list#!event/2026/2/22/2026-annual-general-meeting-professional-development
You're invited to join us at the QMTA's 2026 Annual General Meeting's Professional Development Day. All Welcome.
Register for the Morning Workshop, Afternoon Presentations or the Full Day. QMTA MEMBER EARLY BIRD SPECIALS UNTIL SUNDAY 1 FEBRUARY.
Date: Sunday 22 February 2026
Venue: QMTA Sue Thompson OAM Auditorium, Taringa
Schedule:
10:00–11:00am WORKSHOP
Inside the Treasure Chest with Daniel Johnson
11:30am AGM - All QMTA members welcome.
12:30pm Light Lunch - provided for "all day" attendees.
1:30–3:30pm PRESENTATIONS
Meet the Composers: Ideas Inspiration & Teaching Strategies
MORNING WORKSHOP 10am-11am
Inside the Treasure Chest with Daniel Johnson: Unearthing Little-Known Australian Piano Works
Join acclaimed Australian pianist and pedagogue Daniel Johnson for an inspiring workshop that shines a spotlight on the rich and often under-explored world of Australian piano music. Known for his passionate advocacy of local composers, Daniel invites teachers to “open the treasure chest” and discover compelling repertoire that deserves a place in our studios and on our concert programs.
Drawing on his extensive performance, research, and teaching experience, Daniel will share insights into selected piano works by Australian composers, offering historical context, stylistic understanding, and practical teaching ideas that teachers can immediately apply with their students. A significant focus of Daniel’s academic research has been on the vocal, symphonic, and instrumental works of renowned Australian composer Miriam Hyde, providing participants with informed and thoughtful perspectives on her music and its place in the Australian canon.
Daniel’s close collaboration with contemporary composers further enriches this session. He has had piano works dedicated to him by Australian composer Phillip Wilcher, including Pirouettes and Five Nocturnes for Left Hand Alone, and has given world premieres of works written for him by American composer Forrest Starling. He is currently recording piano works by Australian composers Anthony Moles and Dr Nicole Murphy, and later this year will perform the complete works for clarinet and piano by Miriam Hyde with clarinettist Catherine Motteram.
Described by Yamaha Australia as “masterful and insightful” Daniel has appeared on ABC Classic FM, performed at major festivals, and regularly presents masterclasses across Australia. As a senior AMEB examiner, international Rockschool examiner, QMTA lecturer, and director of The Artistry Labs in Brisbane, he brings a wealth of pedagogical expertise to this engaging session. www.danieljohnsonpianist.com
This workshop is ideal for piano teachers seeking fresh, meaningful repertoire, deeper connections to Australian music, and renewed inspiration for their teaching and performance practice.
AFTERNOON PRESENTATIONS 1:30-3:30pm
Meet the Composers: Ideas Inspiration & Teaching Strategies
This session brings together accomplished Brisbane-based composers - Abigail Lui, Dr Nicole Murphy and Dr Rachel Hocking, who will share insights into their individual compositional journeys, creative processes, and the ways they nurture creativity in students. Through discussion, examples, and practical reflection, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how composers think, work, and develop musical ideas.
Teachers will leave with fresh, practical ideas for integrating composition into their lessons, along with a deeper connection to contemporary Australian music. Whether you regularly teach composition or are looking to incorporate more creative work into your teaching, this presentation will leave you feeling inspired and confident.
Abigail Lui, Camerata’s 2025 Emerging Composer-in-Residence and recipient of ABC Classic’s Composer Commissioning Fund, is fast gaining recognition for her bold and intuitive writing that connects story and sound. Her works have been performed by leading ensembles including the Brisbane Chamber Choir and the Amiti Quartet, reflecting her deep interest in how performance and composition inform one another. abigaillui.com
Dr. Nicole Murphy, an award-winning composer and lecturer at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, has been commissioned by major arts organisations such as the Australian Ballet and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Her music, described by critics as “exquisite and sensitive” (Sydney Morning Herald), has been performed internationally and showcases her refined sense of texture and emotional depth. nicolemurphy.com.au
Dr. Rachel Hocking is an Australian composer and pianist whose music blends classical traditions with jazz and contemporary harmonic and rhythmic influences. She writes for a wide range of instruments and ensembles, exploring texture, colour, and harmony to create works that evoke vivid imagery and emotion. Her piano works Preludes and Kurilpa, and choral works including Joyful Noel are published by Wirripang, and she is an Associate Artist with the Australian Music Centre. Her sacred music has been performed, recorded, and recognised internationally, including in the UK, USA, and Australia. Rachel currently teaches and accompanies at Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University, is an AMEB piano and theory examiner, an advocate for music education through her published reports including Fading Notes, organist and Co-Director of Music at St Andrew’s Uniting Church Brisbane in collaboration with Musica Viva, and President of the Accompanists’ Guild of Queensland. Rachel has guided students in composition, with some receiving prize recognition through UME and ASME. rachelhocking.com.au
Join us for a fascinating afternoon of discussion, discovery, and inspiration as these exceptional women share their stories, their music, and their passion for composition and teaching
Also check out other Workshops in Taringa, Meetups in Taringa.
