Forest Collective

17/08/2026

Greetings from Ryan Lynch (core ensemble, saxophones, clarinets, oboe, cor anglais) and Helen Bower (core ensemble, violin, electric violin, viola) who are on the Heathers - The Musical Australian tour! Currently in Canberra, they've already checked off Melbourne, Adelaide and the Gold Coast! We love the matching Heathers varsity jackets - who thinks we need matching Forest merch? 👀

16/08/2026

This afternoon, Evan J Lawson (Forest Collective Artistic Director) joins Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra in Bungambrawatha to conduct 'Joyful Dances'. Featuring his own composition 'An Atlas of Joy' alongside works by George Bizet, May Lyon and Gustav Holst. Chookas everyone! 💃🕺🎶

15/08/2026

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER EXCUSE FOR CHAOS.

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.

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.

14/08/2026

A big congratulations to Amanda Windred - Soprano (core ensemble, soprano voice) for securing the role of Ines in "Il Trovatore" with
Experience Verdi’s most thrilling masterpiece for yourself, performed at the Athenaeum Theatre from 23 - 30 August with tickets from $49

14/08/2026

Did you know Evan J Lawson is currently in Albury? Evan is conducting Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra's 'Joyful Dances' which will feature Evan’s own composition 'An Atlas of Joy' alongside works by George Bizet, May Lyon and Gustav Holst. Evan and AWSO Artistic Director Jessie Swan had a great chat on ABC Goulburn Valley this morning - listen back via the link in the post!

Did you catch AWSO Artistic Director Jessie Swan and Guest Conductor Evan J Lawson chatting with Sandra Moon on ABC Goulburn Murray this morning? No worries if you didn't - you can listen again (and again, and again) by visiting their website and listening to 'Breakfast with Sandra Moon' on Friday, August 14th!

https://www.abc.net.au/goulburnmurray/listenback

12/08/2026

We are delighted to announce we are the recipient of the Creative Australia grant Company Director Capability Fund for Organisations! Jasmin, our executive administrator, reflects, “We are extremely grateful and excited for this opportunity. Members of Forest Collective’s volunteer team have the chance to upskill with professional learning courses that will help them excel as our next generation of arts leaders and community organisation administrators. We look forward to learning from our peers and bringing new ideas and knowledge to our future activities.” Thank you Creative Australia for believing in what we do!
Photo of Forest Collective artists by Daniel Rabin

10/08/2026

If you are subscribed to our emails you'll already have seen this story from Amanda Windred - Soprano on the reality of being an opera singer in a modern world. "There is a common fantasy that once a performer has made it, the art alone will sustain their lifestyle. The days are imagined as neatly filled with rehearsals, performances in beautifully lit studios and a life of grandeur. For most performers, that is simply a fantasy." For grief, joy and working through it all, read more on our latest blog post.

There is a common fantasy that once a performer has made it, the art alone will sustain their lifestyle. The days are imagined as neatly filled with rehearsals, performances in beautifully lit studios, and a life of grandeur. For most performers, that is simply a fantasy.

28/07/2026

Evan J Lawson delivers our programming update for our 2025-26 AGM

To learn more about what we do, follow the link in our bio

28/07/2026

Attention Baroque music lovers 🎻🎻🎻🎻
Our core ensemble member Rosy Hunt (cello) and founding member of Melbourne Baroque Orchestra says that if you've ever wanted to join in and sing the chorales in Bach cantatas, here's your chance! The audience will be invited to do just that in these three exquisite cantatas, BWV 55,157 and 158, which showcase the beguiling sonorities of the viola d'amore, played by Shane Lestideau, and oboe d'amore by Kailen Cresp.

Special guests bass-baritone Nicholas Dinopoulos and tenor Tim Reynolds will expertly coach the audience in their singing, with the ensemble completed by the beloved Greg Dikmans on traverso, and continuo Rosy Hunt cello, David Macfarlane organ and Reidun Turner violone. Also specially chosen chamber works by Telemann and Vivaldi to further show off both d'amore instruments.

Saturday August 1, 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Williamstown AND Sunday August 2, 3pm at Church of All Nations, Carlton
melbournebaroqueorchestra.com/event/damore-cantatas-of-j-s-bach

26/07/2026

Core ensemble member May Zeng (violin) will perform alongside Linda Gilbert (violin), Charlotte Parker (viola), Marcus Ho (cello), Erna Lai (cello), and Tina Tao (piano) in the upcoming Chamber Music Gala Young Artists Showcase at Box Hill Baptist Church. Program includes the glorious String Quintet in C by Franz Schubert, Dvorak's "American" String Quartet and Brahms epic Piano Quintet!
7pm Saturday 1 August with tickets via trybooking.com/events/landing/1601347