Emerging Australian composer/performer Sarah Elise Thompson produces music that transports you to other worlds. The works on her intricate, intoxicating debut album, self centre, are the sound of a brilliant young artist stretching her wings and discovering her voice. 

The six works on this album demonstrate the full range of Thompson’s talent, with pieces written for solo instruments, trios, and small ensemble with voice. Though written for and performed by a diverse range of artists – including Deborah Cheetham AO, PLEXUS, Ensemble Offspring and Dave Elton (Principal Trumpet Sydney Symphony Orchestra), emerging talents Will Hansen, Jye Todorov, and US based artists Matthew Stiens and Huizi Zhang – they share a timeless, intangible quality that demonstrates Thompson’s maturity beyond her years. 

A prolific composer in high demand in Australia, the US and Europe, Thompson has received commissions from artists as diverse as  Ensemble Offspring, PLEXUS, Deborah Cheetham AO, The Song Company, Australian Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Modern Music Ensemble, Kupka's Piano, Nimbus Trio, the Briar String Quartet, and percussionist Claire Edwardes, with her works premiered at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre and Carnegie Hall.

In 2022-23, Thompson has been commissioned to write new works for the Bowral Autumn Music Festival, countertenor Max Riebl, Trinity College Choir Melbourne, and Los Angeles based violinist Nicholas Bentz.

Thompson studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with composer Gerard Brophy, graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Hons). 

In addition to her composing, Thompson is a pianist, and she has previously been invited to perform at Extended Play, a 12 hour new music festival at City Recital Hall, Sydney, and in the Backstage Music series.

Thompson is an associate artist with the Australian Music Centre. Her scores are available to purchase here.