About Me
Current Objective
Christian Laki is a professional music teacher offering private music lessons that help students build technique, creativity, and confidence. Based in Sydney, he is also a composer and musician, currently completing a Doctor of Creative Arts (DCA) in orchestral composition at Western Sydney University. His research explores innovative approaches to orchestral writing that blend classical, popular, and intercultural music traditions, reflecting his commitment to creating works that bridge diverse musical cultures and perspectives.
In 2024, he was honoured with the Penrith Symphony Orchestra Composition Prize, which included a commission to compose a symphonic work premiered by the orchestra in November. The piece commemorated the Bondi Junction attack of April 2024, expressing reflection and resilience through an intercultural musical lens.
Christian is preparing to transfer his doctoral studies to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music while continuing to collaborate with his supervisor at Western Sydney University, with whom he also performs in a microtonal ensemble. Their debut concert is scheduled for the next Microfest in November 2025.
Experience
Self Employed Musician/Composer/Music Tutor (since 1992)
- Demonstrated proficiency in song writing, performing, and sync licensing music with various rock bands, including Cumulo Nimbus, The Ragdolls, and The Chagalls. Notably, these included appearances on TV and radio both in Australia and overseas.
- Composed music for and performed as a bass player with various jazz ensembles, such as the UNSW Jazz Group featuring Daniel Pliner on keyboards and Tim Firth on drums, The Sydney Law Review Band and The Pyramidic Jazz Trio – both featuring Alon Ilsar on drums.
- Composed music for film trailers and short films (professionally), and feature films (as part of my masters studies).
- Provided private music instruction to students across various age groups in multiple disciplines including singing, guitars, basses, keyboards, song writing, and composition in multiple styles.
- Performed on both Renaissance lute and guitar and sang with MADS (The Sydney University Madrigal Society).
Education
- Doctor of Creative Arts, Western Sydney University, NSW, 2024 (currently in progress).
- Master of Music, Australian Institute of Music, Sydney, NSW, 2022.
- Specialised in film music composition with Dr. Phillip Johnston, electronic film music composition with Dr. Mark Oliveiro, and orchestral composition with Dr. Philip Eames and Anton Koch.
- Bachelor of Music – University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
- Emphasis on bass studies with Ron Philpott and Craig Scott at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, jazz group studies with Alistair Spence and Sandy Evans, and classical composition studies with Gordon Kerry and Anna Pimakhova. Additional coursework included orchestration and Early Music with Dr. Christine Logan and North Indian Classical music with Dr. John Napier.
- Certificate Part 2 – The Australian Institute of Guitar, Sydney, NSW, 1991.
- Focused on classical guitar and Latin American music with Ricardo Andino.
Career Highlights
- Winner, Penrith Symphony Orchestra Composition Prize (2024). Commissioned piece, Bondi 13 April 2024 performed at the PSO November 2024 concert, composed in commemoration of those who lost their lives in the Bondi knife attacks.
- Music Director & Performer, Interventions and Intersections Conference (2024). Organised and performed music and entertainment for Unity: Humanity, Community, and Opportunity (19-20 November 2024).
- Edited the English translation of the Hungarian of the Hungarian composer, Dubrovay Lászlo, 2021 treatise on contemporary musical composition entitled Changes in the Musical Information System – The Progression in the System of Partials (Overtones) [Hungarian Academy of Arts Research/Institute of Art Theory and Methodology].
- Short film, Little Lies for which I wrote the score, being short listed in several international short film competitions. This involved working with sound designer John Hresc (Sydney Sound Brewery).
- Songs featured in the SBS TV comedy series Pizza.
- Performances with my band Cumulo Nimbus at historic Sydney venues, including the Harbourside Brasserie and Real Ale Café.
Skills
- Proficient in musical composition, songwriting, and performing.
- Comprehensive knowledge of various musical instruments, including basses, guitars, keyboards, and singing.
- Extensive experience in teaching music across multiple disciplines and styles.
- Strong understanding of film music composition and orchestration.