Biography

Sarah-Grace Williams has been continually celebrated by the press:

“Sarah-Grace slices the air with her baton, sparking the inexorable bond with her players. Like a marionettist with a voodoo knack, she casts a spell on the string section, directing their arms in elegant synchronicity. Her animation and engagement inspire not only the orchestra, but also the audience, transfixing them onto the art form from the Opus intro to the encore” (Sheldon Ang) …
“In the hands of Williams this work became a tour de force of exceptional poise, eloquence and atmosphere” (Sydney Arts Guide) …

“Williams succeeds in creating very pioneering and open soundscapes, creating an attractive new interpretative world” (Arts Hub) …

”Outstanding conductor, Williams, is able to draw out the musicality in of each player and weld them into a wonderful orchestra with a great sound” (Paul Nolan) …

“Despite the multiple vocalists potentially stealing the limelight from the pole position of the stage, Williams’ styles grasped the audience’s attention towards the orchestra for most of the night. Her semi-dance quirks and signature facial expressions while conducting were charismatic and fun, perpetually beaming a dose of technical grace and gentility that is ever so welcoming from a classical musician. In short, Williams took the clubbers onto her orchestral journey.” (S A Media)

Sarah-Grace Williams is one of Australia’s most versatile and dynamic conductors, celebrated for her bold artistic vision and magnetic leadership.  She is the Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of The Metropolitan Orchestra (Sydney) and Principal Conductor of Synthony – a genre-defying fusion of orchestral music with Electronic Dance Music.

In addition to some 600 concerts conducted with The Metropolitan Orchestra, and numerous international tours with Synthony drawing crowds of 40,000 and performing at events such as the F1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Williams has enjoyed a distinguished career, conducting a long list of major ensembles including the Queensland, Adelaide, Melbourne, West Australian, Tasmanian, Christchurch and Perth Symphony Orchestras, Auckland Philharmonia, Sydney Scoring Orchestra, Australian Pops Orchestra, Brisbane Camerata, Bangalow Festival Orchestra, and Southern Cross Symphony, amongst others.  Additionally, Sarah-Grace has held positions as Musical Director of the Sydney Opera House Proms, Artistic Director of Aspire International Music Festival, Stager Conductor at Ukraine National Opera & Ballet Theatre and Conducting Fellow at Australian Ballet. Recently, she was Music Director/Conductor for Sydney Opera House’s revered production of Amadeus, starring Michael Sheen.

Since founding TMO in 2009, Sarah-Grace has received much acclaim and admiration for her accomplishments with the orchestra.  Under her leadership, TMO deliver a broad offering in their annual seasons including a variety of events tailored to different demographics, from their highly acclaimed and regularly sold-out Met, Chamber and Cushion Concert series to outreach concerts for newly arrived refugees and free events for the community.  Considered one of Australia’s most exciting orchestras, TMO also regularly tours nationally with renowned classical and contemporary artists and events.   Passionate about supporting emerging Australian talent she has led the establishment of TMO Junior and TMO’s Young Artist, Conductor and Composer Development Programs and has championed the commissioning of numerous new works.

A Churchill Fellow, Sarah-Grace is widely recognised for her remarkable diversity, seamlessly navigating across genres and concert experiences from mainstage symphonic concerts, live film and video game concerts (including Jaws, Batman, Jurassic Park and Love Actually), ballet, opera, cross-over performances with contemporary artists (including Australian and New Zealand tours with Basement Jaxx and Air Supply), multi-media installations, stadium events and family entertainment. She also regularly conducts movie/television soundtracks and album recordings.  She has also collaborated with a formidable list of renowned artists such as José Carreras, Sir Bryn Terfel, Tom Odell, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Sir Dave Dobbin, John Butler, Lisa Gasteen, Anthony Warlow, James Morrison, Katie Noonan, Deborah Conway, Kate Ceberano, David Helfgott, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Horrorshow.

Sarah-Grace’s achievements have earned her prestigious accolades include the Western Sydney University Alumni Chancellors Leadership Award (the highest honour the awards bestow) and being recognised on 2013 International Women’s Day Honour Roll for her outstanding achievements and contribution to the community.  Limelight Magazine named her amongst ‘10 of the Best Women Conductors in the world’ and she has been listed in the Who’s Who of Australian Women since 2011.

Sarah-Grace received her Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in 1998, before continuing conducting studies in Russia. She feels privileged to have had Alexander Polishchuk (Russia) and Johannes Fritzsch (Australia) as her primary conducting mentors.

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