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

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

Rubiks Collective is an Australian art music ensemble, commended for their “incredibly personal, strangely spiritual and ultimately deeply touching” performances (Limelight) and celebrated as fearless innovators in the contemporary classical landscape. Established in Melbourne in 2015 and directed by Tamara Kohler (flutes) and Kaylie Melville (percussion), Rubiks is dedicated to the celebration and expansion of contemporary chamber music.

Rubiks reimagines classical music for the modern era by showcasing bold interdisciplinary artistic collaborations, sharing untold stories and championing gender equity in the arts. The ensemble has collaborated with Australian and international artists including Marcus Fjellström (SE), Amy Zhang (US), BecPlexus (NL), Ashis Sengupta (IN), Kinds of Kings (US), Short Black Opera (AU) and Invenio Singers (AU).

Rubiks’ international appearances have included performances in Germany, England, the Netherlands and at the closing events of the 2018-19 Australia Fest in India. National appearances include the Metropolis New Music Festival (Melbourne), City Recital Hall's Extended Play Festival (Sydney), Canberra International Music Festival and the post-genre concert series Dots+Loops (Brisbane).In 2021, Rubiks was awarded the inaugural Percy Grainger Award from the Melbourne Recital Centre, recognising their commitment to the commissioning and performance of Australian new music.

Recent major works include:

  • Concerts of the Future, an interactive virtual reality music experience created in collaboration with researcher Ciaran Frame (2023)

  • A Book of Hours with composer Kate Neal, visual artist Sal Cooper & choreographer Gerard Van Dyck, a revelatory screen-dance presentation and live performance blending music, choreography and animation (2023)

  • Rorqual, a multimedia song cycle inspired by the true story of the world’s loneliest whale with composer Wally Gunn, electronic producer Tilman Robinson and projection designer Chris Bennett (2024)

  • The Big Idea, an genre-defying cabaret/monodrama exploring the power, comedy and chaos of a potentially life-changing decision with composer Matthew Shlomowitz, philosopher Vid Simoniti and vocalist Lotte Betts-Dean (2025)

Rubiks Collective is represented in Europe by Andreas Richter Cultural Consulting.

"Rubiks Collective achieves the impossible. The vocal quartet is living, breathing proof that new compositions can be invigorating and inspiring, not merely intellectually niche."
- Sydney Morning Herald

"A spectacular intertwining of artforms... clever and entertaining for all."
- Classikon