Biography

Naarm/Melbourne based Australian saxophonist Mira Stephens is fascinated with the beautiful array of expression to be found in between the traditionally defined edges of art, and is discovering ways to incorporate elements of interdisciplinary art forms into her music practice through performance, composition, and collaboration. Using the unique collection of sounds possible on the saxophone to create soundworlds that are often inquisitive, sometimes meditative, Mira’s work always grapples with questions that the world poses.

Mira’s performances are inspired by and reflect on the environment, society, nature, humans, philosophy and the universal questions that we all ask. Mira engages with these topics through exploring movement in performance, working in mediums such as video conference technology, using audio technology, playing in acoustically interesting locations and collaborating with other artists. 

Mira completed a Bachelor of Music Performance (Honours) at The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne. She studied with Joseph Lallo and Ian Godfrey, and has been fortunate to play in masterclasses with a multitude of local and international musicians. Mira has attended the Melbourne Saxophone Summer Academy and Asia Pacific Saxophone Academy in the Artist Academy.

As a recipient of Melbourne University’s Artist Portfolio Prize in 2022, Mira composed and performed her live electroacoustic piece Brink of Destruction alongside live painting by Jake Morton of Koalia Designs, resulting in a music video. She was awarded an Honourable Mention in the Australian Saxophone Competition for her improvisation Echoes of a Peaceful Journey.

Some of her other recent performance highlights have been the premiere of her compositions Downstream, Onward, Expatiate, and Meditation on Sorrow and Bliss at Melbourne University Saxophone Studio concerts. Mira and Kristie Thai were invited to Newcastle to perform in This is Not Art (Crack) Festival in 2019. Their two duo performances were inspired by movement practices, a painting, and the deconstruction/reconstruction of sound’s bare elements. 

She is passionate about providing opportunities for other people to experience and engage in art making through education and arts administration. Mira teaches woodwind in schools and privately, and is the Administration Coordinator for Melbourne Saxophone. Both the teaching and administration aspects of her career allow her to foster creativity and musicality in the next generation and offer valuable musical experiences for others.