We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors gives strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, towards creating a better Queensland.

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QPAC

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

QPAC brings Creative Fusions to Roma; a five-day music-making program for musicians aged 10 to 100 years.

Creative Fusions workshops, open to people with any level of vocal or instrumental experience for Creative Fusions in Roma workshops have kicked off St John’s School in Roma on 13-15 April with another weekend to come on 20-21 May 2023.

The workshops will culminate in a performance at a free community concert in the Roma Bungil Cultural Centre on Friday, 16 June 2023.

Acclaimed guitarist, composer and educator, Dr Anthony Garcia of Sounds Across Oceans will lead the program along with five highly skilled professional Teaching Artists.

QPAC has collaborated with Dr Garcia’s organisation, Sounds Across Oceans since 2019 to deliver Creative Fusions as part of the Centre’s Public Engagement program.

QPAC’s Chief Executive John Kotzas AM says Creative Fusions, developed by Anthony and a team of extraordinary Teaching Artists, is a highly participatory and inclusive music-making workshop program for people of all musical abilities, with an emphasis on imagination, improvisation and collaboration.

“In 2023, QPAC is pleased to be able to offer this program outside of Brisbane, collaborating with Roma and the broader region to develop a program informed by community input.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Maranoa Council to bring the Creative Fusions workshop program to Roma. Over the next few months we will be presenting music-making workshops at St Johns School, culminating in a community concert at the Roma Bungil Cultural Centre in June featuring local talent.

Mr Kotzas says Creative Fusions in Roma will be an incredible and engaging opportunity to share, learn and develop new skills with old and new friends.

“No matter which instrument you play, your experience level, or vocal ability, you will be fully immersed in joyful music-making with some of Australia’s best musicians, creating new sounds and compositions,” he says.

Dr Garcia passionately encourages people to take part in the music-making workshops.

“Creative Fusions purposely frames music-making as a community wellbeing initiative, so the workshops are open, inclusive and diverse in approach and outcome. We want people from all backgrounds to feel welcome and that they have something valuable to say and contribute,” says Dr Garcia.

“I am excited to meet new people, musicians young and old, to work with them, support them, and learn from them. We want to know more about Roma, the people, the culture, the feelings, ideas and perspectives on life that can be channelled into creating new music together. To that end we are excited about both the workshop program in April/May and the concert in June.”

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Dr Anthony Garcia of Sounds of Oceans. Photo by Niloo Dana.

Dr Garcia encourages people to get on board.

“My motto is say YES then work it out later. I love stepping into new creative environments, working with diverse people, learning new ways of creating and making sound. I would say, no matter what your background, style, skill level or musical perspective you will learn, grow and evolve through this program.

“Life’s too short not to experiment, try new things and explore new possibilities. Participants will be respected, listened to and supported through the process. Our teachers are very experienced and sensitive in this way. It's what makes this such a special program.” - Dr Anthony Garcia.

For more information about Creative Fusions in Roma click here or phone 136 246.

You can also find out more about Creative Fusions in Roma in this video below.