An instrument developed by biomedical engineer Jordan Nguyen allows Jessica Irwin to play music with her eyes.
"Technology is my life. Without it, I am stuffed," said Jessica Irwin in a segment on the ABC's 7:30 Report that aired last week. Born with cerebral palsy, Irwin is a professional photographer, but on Saturday night she realised her dream of playing music. Thanks to technology developed by biomedical engineer Jordan Nguyen, she made her debut performance at the Sydney Opera House. "Being able to play music using Jordan's creation is amazing, a dream come true," she said.
Using an instrument developed by Nguyen, Jessica Irwin performed with the Australia Piano Quartet, who are Ensemble in Residence at the University of Technology, Sydney. The world premiere of Whispering Pectoriloquy, co-written by Nguyen and the Quartet's violinist Rebecca Chan, saw Irwin playing music using her eye movements in a performance at the Sydney Opera House's Utzon Room.
"The software allows a person to control the computer with their eyes and basically play our music device that we custom-made with Jess," said Nguyen in the ABC's report.
When the student's band director approached instrument makers Conn-Selmer, they came on board with a custom-made clarinet engraved with his name.
Ross Edwards' emerald sparkles between Schubert and Shostakovich in a high-energy outing from the Australia Piano Quartet.
To expand an earlier piano quartet, the composer wrangled the sounds of summer, a 9th-century hymn and a parrot's shriek.
★★★★½ Unbridled Gyger sandwiched between the twin pillars of Bach and Brahms.
★★★★☆ Music hand-in-hand with science; creatively synthesising music with engineering.
Award-winning pianist Daniel de Borah shares why he's embracing the camaraderie of chamber performance.
The Australia Piano Quartet are thriving against the odds. APQ cellist Thomas Rann shares the secret of their success.
Chamber music past and present as noteworthy for its historical breadth as its polished performance.
The new concert series, aimed at school children, hopes to stimulate better learning.
A sell-out recital that delivers some fearless and impeccably balanced playing.
Likeable young ensemble on track to raise the piano quartet stakes.