The Penrith Con website is not compatible with Internet Explorer. Please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari for the best experience.
Alexander Haga
Alexander Haga, the 2026 composer in residence for the Penrith Con Composer Residency, is an emerging composer whose work reflects a deeply personal and cross-cultural musical voice. Born in rural Japan to a Japanese mother and a Portuguese father, Alexander’s early life was shaped by frequent relocation before his family settled in Sydney when he was six. It was here that music became a source of stability, identity, and expression.
Largely self-taught on the piano, Alexander developed his technical foundation through instinct, repetition, and immersive listening. His compositional voice brings together Romantic lyricism and contemporary sensibilities, synthesising Western classical traditions with Eastern influences. Alexander’s music reflects a meeting point between cultural heritage, a classical heart, and a forward-looking artistic spirit, all expressed through an intimate and narrative-driven musical language.
Alexander explains, “My compositional process is grounded in narrative and transformation. I’m drawn to the way musical ideas evolve as they travel, shaped by where they’ve been and what they encounter along the way.”
His new piano quintet, The Age of Discovery, takes the historical metaphor of maritime exploration as its conceptual foundation. Inspired by the seafaring history of Portugal and Alexander’s Portuguese heritage, the work uses structured forms and recurring motifs as a point of departure, allowing thematic material to be reshaped over time, mirroring both historical voyages and his own journey across cultures and musical landscapes.
As part of the Penrith Con Composer Residency, The Age of Discovery will be developed in close collaboration with the emerging musicians of the Richard Bonynge Ensemble (RBE). Through a series of workshops and rehearsals, Alexander will refine the work in direct dialogue with performers, while also receiving mentorship from established local composers who will support the artistic and professional development of the piece.
“Residencies like this give young composers the rare opportunity to fully inhabit a new work,” said Brian Kjim, Head of Music Education at Penrith Performing & Visual Arts. “By providing time, mentorship, and meaningful collaboration with musicians, the Penrith Con Composer Residency nurtures ambitious new voices and strengthens the cultural life of Western Sydney.”
The residency will culminate in a world premiere performance this November, marking an important milestone in Alexander’s growing career.
Looking ahead, Alexander aims to continue expanding the reach of his music, with a particular interest in composing for visual and interactive media such as film, games, and animation, contexts where his narrative-driven approach and atmospheric sound world can fully serve storytelling.
Established in 2021, Richard Bonynge Ensemble has the goal of enriching the community through music. The ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire, from well-known pieces to long-forgotten works deserving revival, and new works by local emerging composers.
By blending the expertise of seasoned musicians and mentors with the fresh talent of young instrumentalists, the ensemble aims to cultivate a distinctive style and unique culture while nurturing the next generation of classical musicians.
Comprising some of the finest young talents in Penrith, Richard Bonynge Ensemble gives serious and skilled early career musicians the opportunity to work with industry professionals through workshops and mentoring sessions, and to collaborate with professional chamber ensembles to develop their performance and musicianship skills.
The Penrith Con Composer Residency offers a dynamic and supportive environment for emerging composers to develop their craft through sustained mentorship, collaborative rehearsal processes, and public performance opportunities.
By investing in new work and new voices, the residency plays a vital role in shaping the future of music in Western Sydney and beyond.
The following professional development programs are also available:
- Workshops and ensembles for emerging musicians and vocalists
- Music educator pathway program
- Arts administration training
- Stage and orchestral management training
For more information and to send an expression of interest, please visit our Opportunities page: