Irene zhong

Irene zhong (they/them) mythologises how we relate to each other and the ever-changing world. irene grew up immersed in hakka-chinese musical traditions while receiving training in western art music.

in 2021, irene participated in arts access victoria’s first music makers mentorship program under the guidance of parvyn. irene was interviewed by namila benson from abc tv’s art works on this formulative experience. during this program, irene also wrote about their experiences in music and disability for music victoria. irene was shortlisted for the arts access amplify award in 2021. they were nominated in 2022 as one half of between mirrors, a non-binary dream pop band with co-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, emily gray. their new album, blue dreams, will be released with off the list! records in march, 2023. irene premiered their classical choral piece commissioned for the consort of melbourne, sappho fragments (2022) at the melbourne recital centre, as a recipient of the melbourne conservatorium of music composition award.

a versatile creator beyond musical mediums, irene animated, recorded, and released everything you do (2017), a project on saying farewell to life-changing friendships. irene composed epistolary (2018), an electro-acoustic piece set to found footage provided by three close connections in their life, weaving an intricate narrative of how the desire for connection and love persevere across borders and languages.

irene’s advocacy led them join midsumma festival’s access all areas panel, a discussion led by queer disabled artists on tools and tactics to uplift other queer artists with disabilities (2022). later in the year, irene took part in co-designing a national songwriting program for deaf and disabled songwriters, in collaboration with accessible arts, arts access victoria, and apra amcos (2022-ongoing).

right now, irene is working on protest songs, an ethno-musicological, mutual aid initiative aiming to fundraise for local social justice causes and endangered communities. and far on the back burner, you might just see irene working on an album of obscure stories and perspectives they’ve accumulated since their move to melbourne in 2016.

Instagram @Irene.Zhong

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Twitter @IreneZhongMusic

YouTube @IreneZhong5873

Bandcamp IreneZhong

Website Irene Zhong