Graham Burns - Graham Burns Music - Music Director
Graham was born on Bediagal Country, Canterbury, Sydney.
Graham has been working on Wayilwan Country since June 2022. Graham was invited by Warraan Widji Arts to work with our children and youth to grow their artistic creativity as a powerful healing tool. Graham empowers the children and youth through music and song. These artistic forms have been integral to the reawakening of Wayilwan language in Warren. Graham has been granted permission by the Warren Local Aboriginal Land Council and Warren Local Education Consultative Group to support us in this important work.
Graham travels weekly and/or fortnightly between Baulkham Hills, Dharug Country and Warren, Wayilwan Country. He is a member of the Steve Edmonds Band.
Graham is currently engaged by Warraan Widji Arts to support the Wayilwan Children’s/Youth Choir and First Nations’ youth rock band the Dreaming Drifters. As such, he delivers music lessons and supports Wayilwan language revival by providing backing music. Graham is engaged to work with Warren Central School’s the Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre (AL&EC), the K-6 Our Place program delivery at Warren Central School and St Mary’s Parish school Wayilwan Choir. He will begin working with Warren Preschool Kindergarten in 2024 as we grow Wayilwan language revival through song.
Graham’s childhood experiences led to strong connections to the bush and a deep appreciation of the world’s oldest continuous living culture. Graham has a deep respect for the Wayilwan people, as people whose land, water and skies have been severely exploited, yet whose ancestors and Elders today leave an invaluable legacy.
Graham is passionate about all music genres and working with young people to inspire and help them into a strong future.
Graham has a high level of cultural capability, inclusive of the ability to make reasonable adjustments as required to work with Warraan Widji Arts. He has the experience and ability to draw the best out of youth in diverse cross-cultural contexts.
Graham is sought after as a music tutor, director, composer, producer, arranger and session musician.
Role:
WWA is committed to funding Graham to build the musical capabilities of the youth for self-determination. As Music Director Graham works closely with the community to ensure outcomes are for the benefit of our local mob.
As multi-instrumentalist Graham provides music instruction for students in any instrument of their choice, including piano, brass, percussion, strings and wind. He instructs the Dreaming Drifters (First Nations rock band) in music practice and performance skills. Dreaming Drifters members have increased their repertoire and self-efficacy significantly under his tutorage.
Graham provides backing music for the WWA Wayilwan Choir. Graham transposes music as required and writes music score for songs translated from English to Wayilwan. He assists in the delivery of song writing workshops providing advice on rhythm and melody appropriate to the syntax of the Wayilwan language in consultation with Warraan Widji arts language tutors and Aunty Beth Wright.
Experience:
Graham has a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Major) from at the Conservatorium of Music Sydney and an Associate Diploma Jazz from the Conservatorium of Music Sydney. In total Graham undertook 7 years of study at the Conservatorium.
Graham also studied big band arranging, jazz and also symphonic writing under Australian composer Carl Vine (AO). He has directed, performed, arranged, composed and produced music for over 25 years. His most recent work has been an arrangement for the Lismore Symphony Orchestra.
Graham has produced four albums for various artists in the studio and arranged and directed countless shows and recording projects.
Graham has performed live music at venues up and down the east coast of Australia, in Sydney, and internationally in the USA, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Fiji and Singapore as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist.
He is a professional musician who has played solo and in bands in concert halls, theatres, pubs, clubs and cafes all across Australia.
For two years Graham was Music Director, played bass/bvs and toured with Soul/RnB singer Lionel Cole (Mariah Carey/Joss Stone).
Graham has performed with:
The Los Angeles ultimate jam night band – featured onto tribute nights with members of Elton John’s band.
Drew McAlister
Sharon O’Neill
Alan Wright (Dragon)
Sam McNally (Tommy Emanuel, Stylus, Farnham)
Cameron Daddo
Diana Rouvas
Jeremy Gregory
Baylou
Ben Ransom
Z-Star UK Rock band - Australian tour)
Lucky Oceans (USA - Asleep at the Wheel) (In the Headline act for Bellingen Jazz Festival)
Dave Brewer (Dynamic Hepnotics/Mighty Reapers)
Ray Beadle (Australia’s premier blues guitarist)
for Rock City Central (Gordon Rytmeister, Joseph Calderazzo, Mark DaCosta)
Joseph Calderazzo (Jenny Morris)
Mitch Anderson (The Voice)
Spectre Tapes (Original Sydney Rock Band)
Dream Remedy (pop originals band)
Lana Rita Saya (Soul/RnB/Pop)
Injettison - Indie band - multi instrumentalist
The Great Gig in the Sky Pink Floyd Tribute With Mitch Anderson/ Natasha Stuart
Rock Hard Show (ACDC/ANGELS/HARD ROCK)
Simon Meli (The Voice)
Michael Duchesne (The Voice)
Mark Da Costa (The Voice)
Lauren Dawes (The Voice)
Robert Suz (Dynamic Hepnotics)
Sean Klush and Cody Slaughter (USA) Viva Las Vegas Tour at the State Theatre
Nick Norton (The Angels)
Jesse Lyleson (Blues)
Simon Kinny Lewis (Blues)
Sandie White (Jazz)
Ray Glover
2UE Super Band
Graham has performed as an instrumentalist/support vocalist and music director in the following shows:
Blues Brothers Tribute show (Music Director)
Superstars show (Music Director)
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute (Music Director)
Viva Las Vegas Tour
Australian Tom Jones Show
Shake a Tail Feather Show
The Hitmakers Show (Dusty Springfield/Tom Jones/Dolly Parten/The Carpenters)
Graham has also played extensively in the jazz genre with:
Warwick Alder, Dale Barlow,, Sandy White, Greg Engelert, Ray Glover, The Sydney Rhythm Kings and the 2UE super band, not to mention countless other rock, pop and soul shows. Graham had a regular solo show at The Pier in Port Macquarie.
He has been sought after to teach and conduct music in schools in Sydney and Port Macquarie. The past fifteen years has seen Graham engaged in this capacity in the following schools:
Emanuel School Randwick
St Josephs’ Port Macquarie
McKillop Port Macquarie
Clovelly Public School
Maroubra High School
South Sydney High School
He has provided group guitar lessons for Botany Council.
Other projects include:
Youth Worker at the Woodbine Neighbourhood Centre in Campbelltown
Youth Pastor of Maroubra Baptist Church
Music Director at Maroubra Baptist Church for five years
Worship Director and Pastor at Northside Community Church Crows’ Nest for two years.
