Dr Catherine Likhuta is an acclaimed Ukrainian-Australian composer, pianist and recording artist. Her music has graced the stands of thousands of performers, from school-aged children to world-renowned icons.
Her compositions have been played in prestigious venues worldwide such as Carnegie Hall and Glyndebourne Opera House and performed by symphony orchestras across the globe including Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the National Radio of Ukraine.
She is a two-time winner of the International Horn Society Composition Contest (virtuoso division) and was the most performed composer at the 51st International Horn Symposium in Ghent in Belgium, 2019.
Dr Likhuta’s work makes a strong impact, with her piece Lesions featured at the World Multiple Sclerosis Days events in Portugal, and her collaboration with the Queensland Eye Institute supporting people with visual impairments.
What are you most proud of?
“Being able to share Ukrainian music and culture with global audiences. A lot of people have never heard Ukrainian music. At the same time, Ukrainian folklore and culture is rich and has a long history. As a sixth generation Ukrainian on both sides of my family, Ukrainian folk music runs through my veins. I love coming up with folk-inspired tunes and incorporating them into my otherwise contemporary and jazz-inspired musical language.”
The last movement, ‘Urban Secrets’, from the composition ‘Vivid Dreams’, will be performed by Associate Professor Peter Luff on horn and Professor Liam Viney on piano. This is one of Catherine’s most performed pieces around the world.
