Forest Collective

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Forest Collective

Music+Dance, with a twist since 2009. Forest Collective became a not for profit, multi-disciplinary arts organisation in 2012.

Forest Collective, led by Evan Lawson Artistic Director, was established as an artist collective by a group of emerging performing and visual artists in 2009 to facilitate thrilling cross-pollinating events in unorthodox venues and performance contexts. Since it’s first season Forest Collective has gone onto sell out performances at Melbourne Recital Centre, La Mama Court House, National Gallery o

f Victoria, Abbotsford Convent, Burrinja Cultural Centre and as a part of Metropolis New Music Festival and Melbourne Fringe Festival.

13/05/2026

Artists are doing it tough right now. Donate today to support visionary artists doing visionary work.

To make a tax deductible donation head to forestcollective.com.au

12/05/2026

We'd like to introduce you to Bodhi Scott-Jones, who will be playing with us in Sweet Charity this June.

Bodhi Scott-Jones is a trumpet performer and educator hailing from Bundjalung country in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.

Bodhi completed his Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University under the tuition of Sarah Butler, former principal trumpet of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. He has had the privilege of sitting on the stage with the Australian Youth Orchestra, Queensland Pops Orchestra, Queensland Festival Philharmonic and Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to his orchestral career, Bodhi explores music across a variety of ensembles, including big bands, small jazz ensembles, funk groups, chamber ensembles and brass bands. Bodhi enjoys a versatile and flexible approach to music making, and has gained expertise on many “trumpet-shaped objects” including piccolo trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn and soprano cornet.

Bodhi was incredibly fortunate to learn from American jazz music legend John Hoffman during his teenage years, and aims to live by John’s mantra of “make every note beautiful”.

When away from music, Bodhi spends his time getting outside, staying inside, and trying to figure out if there’s something in between.

11/05/2026

Daniel Szesiong Todd, tenor, writer and national treasure, is an artist of great vision and daring. We are delighted to be an ongoing supporter of Daniel's amazing work.

Support artists like Daniel this EOFY with a tax deductible donation to Forest Collective.
All money raised by Forest Collective goes directly to artists to make art and bring it to life.

www.forestcollective.com.au/supportsweetcharity

10/05/2026

Our latest newsletter is about to fly into inboxes, so if you’re not already signed up to our newsletter be sure to follow the link in our bio to get all the goss!

08/05/2026

So, we've met our fantastic cast for Sweet Charity, now lets meet some of the amazing band members you'll hear in this brand new production at Chapel Off Chapel this June.

First up is Thomas English.

Thomas English is a talented multi-instrumentalist, composer, and performer based in Melbourne (Naarm). Currently, Thomas is undertaking a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music under the teachings of Dr. Joseph Lallo & Dr. Yoyo-Su, alongside a Diploma of Languages (Chinese Studies) at the University of Melbourne.

Passionate about the creation and performance of new music, Thomas has collaborated with a range of leading musicians to compose, produce, and perform numerous world premiere works.

Thomas’ career highlights include performances at major venues such as the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and John Cain Arena, across a variety of projects. Equally at home on stage and in the studio, he maintains an active performance schedule that bridges classical, contemporary, and commercial genres.

Most recently, Thomas was appointed as the primary woodwind musician for the 2025 Melbourne season of Footloose: the Musical, demonstrating his versatility across a plethora of instruments, as well as many other productions, more notably being a part of the band for the New Australian premiere of Come From Away with CLOC in 2024 playing Irish Tin Whistles.

His work continues to be engaged in projects that push the boundaries of performance practice and genre.

07/05/2026

We are so excited to share the full cast for our production of Sweet Charity!
We're collaborating with Heirlume Productions to bring this amazing work to Chapel Off Chapel 18 - 28 June.

For tickets and further info head to forestcollective.com.au

06/05/2026

Unique experiences is at the core of what Forest Collective does.

Donate today to support the future of visionary artists.

forestcollective.com.au

04/05/2026

We work tirelessly to make weird and wonderful events that bring new music, performance and dance together into unique and unforgetable experiences.

Support the future of new music and dance this EOFY by making a tax deductible donation to Forest Collective.

www.forestcollective.com.au/supportsweetcharity

Image by Teresa Ingrilli.

30/04/2026

Donations to Forest Collective support Australian artists, contributing to creative professionals from composers, choreographers, writers, singers, musicians, artists, sound, video, lighting and costume designers, and more. With your support we not only provide income support to local artists, but also provide a platform for voice and agency to their creative expression. Donate today to help us create and collaborate at forestcollective.com.au
Photo by Daniel Rabin 2026
L-R: Daniel Szesiong Todd, Trea Hindley, Aleise Bright, Phoebe Smithies, Alex MacDonald

29/04/2026

Come wander the Forest.

Forest Collective is a visionary non-profit registered charity and artist collective based in Naarm-Melbourne. Forest Collective passionately advocates for diversity and artistic freedom in contemporary classical music, dance, and collaborative projects.

Join us on our artistic journey into the dark.
We create unique, trailblazing and weird experiences that bring music, sound, dance and performance into a ritual space. We bring sound right to you, and immerse you on a sonic journey you won't forget.

Our mission is centred on commissioning and presenting a kaleidoscope of art forms. We nurture and provide a platform for under-represented artists and the artistically vulnerable to create in a safe space.

Donate today to help artists bring daring new work to life
www.forestcollective.com.au/

27/04/2026

In our recent performance, Rubble Music, Kim Tan wowed us with her incredible performance of Stockhausen's Ypsilon, which combined dance, flute playing and bells exquisitely.

If you donate to Forest Collective this EOFY, you help artists like Kim bring weird, wonderful and daring world to the stage.

In a world where funding is disappearing every day, help artists make their big ideas a reality.
Make your tax-free donation to Forest Collective today - www.forestcollective.com.au/supportsweetcharity

Image by Teresa Ingrilli.

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Telephone

+61400750060

Website

http://www.forestcollective.com.au/

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