Biography


“Rubiks thrilled the crowd, showcasing searingly-precise ensemble skills and instrumental control…. A formidable contribution to Australia’s growing community of contemporary music makers”
Partial Durations

Jacob Abela - keyboards | Tamara Kohler - flutes | Gemma Kneale - cello | Kaylie Melville - percussion Photo Credit: Cameron Jamieson

Jacob Abela - keyboards | Tamara Kohler - flutes | Gemma Kneale - cello | Kaylie Melville - percussion
Photo Credit: Cameron Jamieson

Rubiks is one of Melbourne’s most dynamic contemporary art music ensembles, bringing together Australia’s most exciting and versatile young performers. Since debuting in 2015, the ensemble has been hailed as “a formidable contribution to Australia’s growing community of contemporary music makers” (Partial Durations) and commended for “incredibly personal, strangely spiritual and ultimately deeply touching” performances (Limelight Magazine). With a particular interest in storytelling and cross-art collaboration, Rubiks has quickly established a reputation for excellence, delighting audiences with their unique programming and dazzling virtuosity.

Rubiks is particularly driven by a commitment to showcase the work of the artistic pioneers of our time. The ensemble has collaborated with Australian and international artists including Marcus Fjellström (SE), Amy Zhang (US), Bec Plexus (NL), Ashis Sengupta (IN), Kinds of Kings (US), Short Black Opera (AU), Samuel Smith (AU) and Invenio Singers (AU).

Rubiks’ international appearances have included performances in Germany, England, the Netherlands and at the closing events for the 2018-19 Australia Fest in India. National festival appearances include the Metropolis New Music Festival (Melbourne) and City Recital Hall's Extended Play Festival (Sydney). Rubiks are also a resident ensemble in the Melbourne Recital Centre’s acclaimed ‘Local Heroes’ chamber music series.

In 2017, Rubiks launched the Pythia Prize, an annual commission project that supports an Australian female or gender diverse composer to collaborate with Rubiks on the creation of a new work. The Pythia Prize was awarded to Samantha Wolf in 2017, Christine McCombe in 2018, Bianca Gannon in 2019, Felicity Wilcox in 2021 and Sylvia Lim in 2022.