Jonathan Dimond (b. Jonathan Dimond (b. 1971, Wales), composes rhythmically charged music with an aesthetic that combines the best of Western classical, jazz, and intercultural musics. Jonathan Dimond saw composition as an integral part of his musical growth from a young age. His goal was to create and present contemporary music that combined jazz, improvisation, and composition in a unique way. He founded and led several ensembles. This focus is evident in his performances and recordings with the Brisbane-based ensembles Artisans Workshop and Loops. Dimond has been heavily influenced by raga and the rhythmic cycles, devices, and rhythms associated with North and South Indian classical musical music since 1993 when he began formal North Indian classical music studies. Dimond began formal composition lessons with Gerard Brophy and Stephen Cronin, Australian composers. Later, in the USA, Dimond studied composition and orchestration under Dominique Eade and Lee Hyla. A PhD in composition (in progress, University of Queensland); Master of music (2006) and Post Graduate Diploma of music (1995), both from the New England Conservatory in the USA; Bachelor of music from Griffith University (1992); Graduate Diploma of Vocational Training Practice (2010) and Certificate IV Training and Assessment Teaching (2007), both from the Box Hill Institute. His involvement in University music education has been an important aspect of his work. Dimond is currently a senior lecturer at Melbourne Polytechnic and the head of program. He runs the Bachelor in Music degree. Before returning to the USA in 2002, he also managed the Bachelor of Music (Jazz), at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. Jonathan Dimond is an expert in speech-melody and has used recorded speech to drive his compositions. He has also co-written Airwaves: 100 Years of Radio with Robert Davidson. Jonathan Dimond is a multi-instrumentalist, with extensive professional performance on trombone, tabla and electric bass guitar. Dimond performs many original compositions with Tripataka, his current ensemble. Many scholarships and awards have helped Dimond to study composition and perform his original music. There have been performances in India, Japan and the USA, as well as across Australia. These awards include the American Composers’ Forum ‘Subito’ Grant (2004), Asialink Performing Arts Residency – Japan (2002-2003), Queens Trust Scholarship – India (98-1999), Australia Council for the Arts’ Individual Development Grant(Boston 1994-1995), Brisbane City Council Lord mayor’s Performing Arts Fellowship (1995-1996), Arts Queensland Professional Development Grant (1995); Dr Gordon Spearitt Prize for the Best Research Project – Queensland Conservatorium (1992). from www.australianmusiccentre.com.au
