Percussionist, composer and educator Vanessa Tomlinson has been appointed the new Director of the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, commencing in January 2026.

She will take over the role from pianist and festival director Bernard Lanskey, who has served in the position since 2021.

Vanessa Tomlinson. Photo supplied

Tomlinson currently holds the role as Professor of Music, Head of Percussion at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and was its inaugural Director of its Creative Arts Research Institute from 2021–2024.

She is a highly accomplished ARIA-nominated percussionist and improviser who holds a fascination for “exploratory, ecological sound practices” and site-specific, immersive works.

She has premiered more than 100 new works from international and Australian composers, earned six Art Music Awards for excellence and led projects including the Tyalgum Festival, Easter at The Piano Mill, Sounding At The Smithsonian and New Sounds Brisbane. She co-wrote her first book, Here and Now, with Toby Wren in 2017.

Clocked Out Duo performing at Cut Paste Play. Photo © CactusCan

Tomlinson is also director of Clocked Out with pianist Erik Griswold. Since its establishment in 2000, its key works...