The Substation/​ Artist/​Australian Art Orchestra/

With an emphasis on improvisation, The Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) explores the meeting points between disciplines and cultures, and imagines new musical forms to reflect the energy and diversity of 21st century Australia.

Founded by Paul Grabowsky AO in 1994 and led by Peter Knight from 2013-2022, the AAO is one of Australia’s leading contemporary ensembles. Now led by the artistically fearless Aaron Choulai, its work constantly seeks to stretch genres and break down the barriers separating disciplines, forms and cultures. It explores the interstices between the avant-garde and the traditional, between art and popular music, between electronic and acoustic approaches, and creates music that traverse the continuum between improvised and notated forms.