SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS

Sarah-Grace Williams

Sarah-Grace Williams is one of Australia’s most versatile and visionary conductors, celebrated for her bold artistic vision and magnetic stage presence. A Churchill Fellow, Sarah-Grace is recognised internationally for her seamless command of both the classical concert hall and contemporary arena stages, leading with artistic authority, fearless creative ambition and innovation.

Sarah-Grace founded The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) in 2009 and, as its Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, has built it into one of Australia’s leading independent orchestras. She is recognised as one of the country’s most influential creative leaders in orchestral performance, conceiving and delivering projects that span classical, contemporary, cinematic and commercial worlds. Through a large and growing portfolio of work encompassing TMO and independent projects, Sarah-Grace partners with leading creators, producers, presenters and international promoters to conceive, develop and realise major productions for audiences around the world. Under her artistic leadership, TMO has earned widespread critical acclaim for artistic excellence, fearless creative ambition and innovation.

As Principal Conductor of the international phenomenon Synthony, Sarah-Grace leads arena-scale performances before audiences exceeding 40,000 and appears at global events including the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, reaching millions worldwide.

A sought-after guest conductor, Sarah-Grace has regularly been at the helm of many of Australasia’s leading orchestras, including Australia’s state symphony orchestras, Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Wellington. She has also held artistic roles with the Sydney Opera House, Ukraine National Opera & Ballet Theatre and The Australian Ballet.

Throughout her career, Sarah-Grace has led a diverse portfolio of critically acclaimed productions. Recent highlights include leading the Sydney Opera House season Louder, a collaboration between The Metropolitan Orchestra and internationally acclaimed contemporary circus company Gravity & Other Myths; conducting the Sydney Opera House season of Amadeus starring Michael Sheen; sold-out international concert tours and Sydney Opera House performances with Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Basement Jaxx, TwoSet Violin, Air Supply and The Tea Party; leading the world premiere of Full Metal Orchestra; and opening Christchurch Stadium alongside iconic New Zealand band Six60. Her career has also included collaborations with some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including José Carreras, Sir Bryn Terfel, Sumi Jo, Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham, Tom Odell, Kate Ceberano, Sir Dave Dobbyn, John Butler and Phil Rudd (AC/DC).

Sarah-Grace is recognised as a leading force in the rapidly expanding world of orchestral video game music, bringing many of gaming’s most celebrated titles to the concert stage, including numerous world premiere productions. Away from the concert platform, she also regularly conducts major motion picture and television soundtracks, concert albums and commercial recordings. Her live-to-film and video game conducting credits include Jaws, Batman, Jurassic Park, Love Actually, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Death Stranding, Stardew Valley and Undertale.

Her achievements have been recognised through the Western Sydney University Alumni Chancellor’s Leadership Award, inclusion on the International Women’s Day Honour Roll, recognition by Limelight magazine among the “10 Best Women Conductors in the World”, and listing in Who’s Who of Australian Women since 2011.

Sarah-Grace undertook advanced conducting studies in Novosibirsk and St Petersburg, Russia, under Alexander Polishchuk, before returning to Australia to continue her conducting studies with Johannes Fritzsch. She credits both conductors as pivotal mentors in her artistic development.

Her proudest achievement to date is the birth of her daughter Scarlett Grace in 2014, with her husband and TMO Managing Director, Bevan Rigato.

For concert details visit www.sarahgracewilliams.com