The new Director of Artistic Programming at the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and former ABC Classic and ABC Jazz Content Manager, reflects on how his musicologist father informed his curiosity, and admits to playing the cello, badly.

The Australian writer, whose play Così tells the story of a Mozart production set in a psychiatric facility, discusses his eclectic musical tastes, which range from Wagner to Coltrane to ‘Drone Metal’.

The passionate art dealer and major arts patron talks about discovering the world of music, which began for him with piano, evolved into a love of musicals and opera, and now takes in chamber performance.

Currently playing Mrs Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the musical theatre star recalls infant adventures in the pit, seeing Starlight Express 12 times, and getting the lead in the school musical at 14.

The celebrated fashion designer, and arts patron, grew up in Italy listening to the garbage men singing arias. But it wasn’t until she moved to Australia that a life-long love for opera was kindled.

Though he played the piano badly as a child, the playwright developed a keen love of music. He recalls how including Berlioz in one of his plays influenced the lighting of the Olympic Flame in Sydney.

Actor Don Hany was raised on a steady diet of Beethoven and Brahms, as well as Jackson and Cohen. Now learning the violin, he’s revisiting the classics while preparing for his turn as the dashing Nick Arnstein.

SBS World News presenter Anton Enus grew up listening to the grand dames of jazz, but soon developed an obsession with Puccini’s seamstress when he discovered classical music in his 20s.

Popular entertainer Tom Burlinson grew up smack-bang during Beatlemania in England and enjoyed a bit of Santana and Led Zeppelin as a teen. But at the end of the day, it’ll always be Frank.

New South Wales Minister for the Arts Don Harwin considers Tchaikovsky his very favourite composer, but when the chips are down he’s partial to the greatest hits of George Michael.

With a Sydney Theatre Award for her star turn in Calamity Jane at the Hayes, now touring, the popular performer recalls being raised on classical music, before discovering Nirvana, musicals and “newgrass”.

Marina Prior once wanted to be Kate Bush. Her tastes turn out to be eclectic, with Joni Mitchell on high rotation, but her husband can only listen to punk when she’s not there.