Ensemble Offspring x AusArt Day!
Thursday 17 September, 2026
2025 Hatched Academy
Since 2014, Hatched Academy has created unique and meaningful opportunities for more than 200 emerging composers and performers to develop their practice, make connections, and forge a career in new music. It now has three streams: our Composer Intensive, Emerging Performer position, and Mentorship Program.
One of the best things about Hatched is that the relationships often continue well beyond the program. Alumni have gone on to become important creative collaborators for Ensemble Offspring and each other, and many have had their work commissioned and performed by major organisations across Australia including Musica Viva and Australia’s symphony orchestras.
We’re now really excited to announce the next chapter of Hatched Academy.
From 2028, we plan to bring our Composer Intensive and Emerging Performer position together into an expanded two-week Hatched Composer & Performer Intensive, bringing emerging composers and performers together to develop, create and perform new work alongside Ensemble Offspring’s core musicians. The program will culminate in a mini festival weekend showcasing what they’ve created.
It’s a big evolution for Hatched Academy – there’s nothing quite like it in Australia and we’re super excited about what this expansion will make possible. We’re drawing inspiration from international programs including Bang on a Can in New York, 8th Blackbird’s Creative Lab in Chicago, Impuls in Graz, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada - programs that have helped shape the careers of many Australian artists.
This expansion is why we’re taking part in Creative Australia’s AusArt Day on 22 October for the first time. AusArt Day is a national giving day in its second year, and we thought we’d join in to reach new supporters and also raise money for something really dear to our hearts at Ensemble Offspring.
Thanks to our generous Hatched Academy Patrons, we’ve secured $25,000 in matched funding, meaning every donation made through AusArt Day will be matched until we reach our goal.
We hope that through AusArt Day, with your support, we will be able to make a real difference to the number of Australian emerging artists we can support through this next chapter of Hatched Academy!
Hear from our Hatched Academy Alumni
Alexander Maltas
“Hatched is an important rung on the ladder of a music career in Australia - without opportunities like this, young composers and performers can’t take the important next step.” Composer Alexander Maltas, 2024 Hatched Academy Alumni
“What I love about Hatched Academy is that the program doesn't stop at the end of the week. You're now part of this network and this family, which is a privilege to be a part of.” Composer Louis Wishart, 2025 Hatched Academy Alumni
“Rather than being treated as an emerging artist, I was considered part of the fabric of the ensemble. It’s been some of the most rewarding chamber music playing of my career so far.” Saxophonist Alice Morgan, 2024 Hatched Emerging Performer
Niki Johnson
“It’s amazing working with Ensemble Offspring, as I get to play challenging new repertoire in a variety of styles and contexts, and I am always so grateful for the passionate audience members who support all of our new commissions and emerging artists like myself.” Creative Associate, Hatched Alumni and Percussionist Niki Johnson
“Whether you're a performer or a composer, it's a really great opportunity to meet like-minded people, but also people who are really good at what they do. Those people that you get to meet are really great contacts and supporters of your work going forward in this industry.” Pianist Ronan Apcar, 2025 Hatched Emerging Performer
