Australian conductor, pianist and composer, based in Amsterdam.
Lochlan’s recent conducting highlights include “Candide” at the Lithuanian National Opera, a world premiere “Anansi” at the Dutch National Opera and “La Traviata” at Alden Biesen Zomeropera. He is known for his progressive methods, stylistic versatility and multidisciplinary skills, creating exciting pieces of theater like the Dutch National Opera’s highly acclaimed “Lennox” - a unique collaboration of opera, hip-hop and spoken word.
Lochlan has worked on the music staff of international award-winning productions such as “Animal Farm” (Best World Premiere, 2023) and “Lady in the Dark” (Opera of the Year, 2022). He spends most of his time in the Netherlands as a guest conductor and vocal coach at the Dutch National Opera, the Netherlands Reisopera and Opera Zuid, but also directs a number of training and development programs, and enjoys diverse projects across Europe, the US and Australia.
Lochlan found his passion for vocal repertoire at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, accompanying singers and composing for their voices. Upon graduating, he worked as a repetiteur at the West Australian Opera and attended the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School in Brisbane, Australia, where he studied with John Fisher, Siegfried Jerusalem and Philip Mayers.
Encouraged to further his studies overseas, Lochlan moved to New York City to pursue orchestral conducting and collaborative piano at Mannes under the tutelage of David Hayes, Cristina Stanescu and Vlad Iftinca. During his years in the US, Lochlan also served as assistant conductor at the Miami Music Festival for productions of La Boheme, Die Walkure, The Crucible, Le Nozze di Figaro and The Cunning Little Vixen under conductors Kathleen Kelly, Bradley Moore and Michael Rossi.
Developing a particular affinity for Italian bel canto style and techniques, Lochlan honed his craft at La Lingua della Lirica (Glenn Morton and Ubaldo Fabbri), Bel Canto in Tuscany (Giovanni Reggiolo, Will Crutchfield and Richard Hetherington) and for the 2018-2019 season, he was invited to take a position in Italy as a Maestro Collaboratore at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.
“…of all the means of communication we have, music is the most charming, intricate and powerful.”
As a pianist, Lochlan has appeared in recitals at Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw, as well as on Dutch television and radio, including Podium Klassiek and Mondo. He has received awards as both a pianist and composer, including the Newton Swift Piano Award (USA) for being “an outstanding soloist and amiable colleague in accompanying and chamber music”, first prize in the Evelyn & Ralph Thompson Memorial Scholarship competition for singers and pianists (Aust.), the Waveney Wansbrough Memorial Prize for Chamber Music Performance (Aust.) and placed first for his original compositions in Australia’s Fremantle Eisteddfod and Joondalup Eisteddfod. He was also awarded commissions to compose new works for the vocal ensemble Voiceworks’ ANZAC veterans commemoration and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
Beyond opera and song, Lochlan enjoys working in TV, film, and musical theater. He has made arrangements and orchestrations for projects fusing opera, hip-hop, ballet, electronics and other cross-genre elements - many of which have appeared in the Opera Forward Festival in The Netherlands. Over the years 2021-2024 he was the vocal coach and assistant to Leonard Evers on the successful TV competition show, ARIA, inspiring curiosity in the operatic artform for millions of viewers each season.
Committed to redefining accessibility when it comes to classical music, Lochlan aims to help new audiences find interest in the art form sometimes perceived as antiquated. He believes that we must utilize innovation where possible, commit to educating and connecting with our communities, and incorporate the technologies of our era to better facilitate our art-making.