Victoria Kelly

Victoria was born in Wellington and is now based in Auckland. She studied the oboe at the University of Auckland before focusing on composition, gaining 1st equal in the Auckland University Composition Prize Concert in 1992.

Victoria completed her Bachelor of Music in 1993 and while pursuing further study, she developed a passion for writing film music. After winning a TVNZ Young Achievers Award and a Professional Development Grant from Creative New Zealand in 1996, Victoria travelled to the United States to study film composition at the University of Southern California, with teachers including Elmer Bernstein, Leonard Rosenman and Christopher Young. Victoria has worked with directors such as Scott Reynolds, Vanessa Alexander and Harry Sinclair. She has been commissioned, performed and/or recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia, the New Zealand String Quartet, NZTrio, Stroma, Michael Houstoun and Stephen de Pledge. She has worked extensively in the theatre in association with the New Zealand Actor’s Company, has a long-standing involvement with Auckland band ‘Strawpeople’ and has worked as a performer and arranger for artists as diverse as Greg Johnson, Anika Moa, Fiona McDonald and True Bliss. Victoria also appears as a guest lecturer in schools and universities around the country.

Victoria collaborated with Horomona Horo, Tim Worrall and NZTrio in 2013 to compose Toi Huarewa for the Auckland Arts Festival. In 2014 she was composer/music director for Okareka Dance Company’s contemporary dance production Mana Wahine. She has been commissioned by Karen Grylls and Voices New Zealand to write a new work for mixed choir to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.

[Information about Victoria Kelly and her music for film and television can also be found on the NZ Onscreen website.]