The Ballarat Arts Foundation is honoured to welcome the Stevens family as a supporter, with Dean Stevens committing to create a new award in recognition of the support the Foundation has provided to their son, Louis Stevens.

2018 will see the addition of the Louis Stevens Award for Musicianship for classical or jazz musicians, composers and conductors.

Louis Stevens is a Melbourne, Australia based composer and multi-instrumentalist with particular interests in theatre and film. His compositional outlook is concerned with the complexities of human relationships and the emotional outcomes they inspire. Taking inspiration from such composers as John Adams, Johan Johannsson and Olafur Arnalds, Louis incorporates a post-minimalist style in his music giving greater emphasis to complex textures and the expressive use of tone-colour. Louis’ music seeks to create emotion-based experiences for his audiences.

Louis is currently completing his Bachelor of Music (Degree with Honours) at the University of Melbourne. Majoring in composition under the esteemed Australian composer, Elliot Gyger, past teachers also include Christine McCombe, Kevin March and Miriama Young.

Louis has written for a large range of ensembles including orchestral works for theatre, solo works and chamber music. Louis has recently written music for Tellulah Theatre’s original production of A Dog Called Monkey written by Laura Collins and the University of Melbourne Shakespeare Companies production of Twelfth Night where Louis received an award for outstanding sound design/composition from Union House Theatre.

The 2018 grants will open on the 1st June 2018 and close on the 13th July. Interviews will be held with shortlisted candidates on 18th August 2018.

More information about Louis can be found on his website.