Holly Harrison is an Australian composer from Western Sydney. Holly’s music is driven by the nonsense literature of Lewis Carroll, embracing stylistic juxtapositions, the visceral energy of rock, and whimsical humour. She was the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s composer in residence across 2020-2022, and in 2023 was composer in residence for the ASME National Young Composer Project. Her music has been described as “exploding off the page”, full of “riotous energy, eclectic rhythmic complexity” and “inventive, witty and invested with thrilling dynamism and momentum”.

Holly’s music is frequently performed across Australia, Asia, Europe, and the USA, with recent commissions from Australian Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Offspring, Australian String Quartet, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Omega Ensemble. Internationally, she has collaborated with artists including Eighth Blackbird, Goldmund Quartet, Alarm Will Sound, Manchester Camerata, and Orkest de Ereprijs.

Holly is currently composer in residence at The King’s School, North Parramatta, and teaches casually at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Photo credit – Sally Tsoutas

Holly is supported by CIMF’s A Major Lift