Below you will find a selection of interviews and reviews regarding my work.
Kas ir latviskā identitāte 21. gadsimtā? | latviesi.com tv, october 2019
Pasaules latviešu konferene, Cēsīs
Ella Macens: My journey with the TSO Australian Composers’ School | cut common magazine, november 2019
Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that from the ages of 25-28, I would be working with one of Australia’s top orchestras in the creation of my first seven orchestral works with such extraordinary guidance and support!
PASAULES LATVIEŠU KULTŪRAS KONFERENCĒ DISKUTĒ PAR LATVISKO IDENTITĀTI | RETV.LV, october 2019
Savukārt komponiste Ella Mačēna ir dzimusi Austrālijā, arī viņa savas latviskās saknes jūt pateicoties saviem vecākiem un vecvecākiem, kas viņai ir stāstījuši par latviešu kultūru
This Musical World | loud mouth, may 2019
She continues to receive commissions for new pieces from a variety of sources, demonstrating that with a lot of hard work, tenacity and greater advocacy, women can equally forge paths as professional composers in Australia.
High notes and high jinks: displays of precision, elan and circus arts | SYdney morning herald, may 2019
Its strength was the skill and polish with which Macens balanced and drew colours from the orchestra allied with expressive sincerity.
THE SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES PAUL GOODCHILD (SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) | limelight magazine, may 2019
If the Lovelock sounds at times like a British film, Macens’ work has its influences too. Her shifting block harmonies are reminiscent of Vaughan Williams: specifically, the Pastoral Symphony and Sinfonia Antartica; even the Tallis Fantasia at one point where a small group of strings is featured. Her orchestral finesse also reminds me of John Williams: quite a compliment.
FINE MUSIC 102.5’S 2017 YOUNG COMPOSER AWARD ANNOUNCED | LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2017
Ella Macens has been named as the winner of the 2017 Young Composer Award. Willoughby City Council and Fine Music 102.5 announced today that the Sydney-based composer has taken out the competition with her work Flight.
Seidler Salon Series premieres emerging Con composer | SYDNEY CONservatorium of music, JANuary 2018
Ella Macens, one of the first students in the National Women Composers' Development Program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music will premiere her latest work in the Sydney Festival’s Seidler Salon Series on the 19th and 20th January 2018.
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE SIMONDS AT FINE MUSIC FM 102.5 | SEPTember 2017
On Tuesday 19th September I headed over to the Fine Music FM 102.5 studio to have a chat with Julie Simonds about the recent premiere performance of my orchestral work FLIGHT for which I was awarded the Fine Music FM 102.5 Young Composer Award for 2017.
Ella Macens: “I’m learning to love every second of it” | CUT COMMON magazine, JUNE 2017
Young composer Ella Macens participated in the Gondwana National Choral School Composer Program, with her work featured in the Song Company’s recent tour, Forward and Bach. Ella connected with classical soprano and CutCommon contributor Katie Miller-Crispe to share these experiences as a composer, her involvement in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s inaugural National Women Composers’ Development Program, and offer advice for aspiring composers.
Episode 5: Four women talk about forging a music career in Australia. Jazz artist Frances Madden, composer Ella Macens, indie-folk artist Hannah Robinson and electro pop artist Ruby May | MUSIC LOVE JUNE 2017
On a cold night, a couple of days out from the beginning of Winter, Julie Kerr gathered four impressive music makers for the Music Love podcast. All Australian, all women, and all under 30. One jazz singer, one composer, and two indie/pop artists, to talk all things music. What is it like to independently build up your music business as an artist?
Ella Macens and The National Women Composers Development Program: I couldn’t quite comprehend that I would be composing for such esteemed Australian ensembles and musicians | MUSIC LOVE JAN 2017
It may only be a couple of weeks into the working year, but already Ella Macens has composed a new work for Australia’s leading vocal ensemble the Song Company, written a new choral work for Gondwana treble choir Cantorum, and is in midst of completing yet another choral work, commissioned by State Choir LATVIJA. This driven and talented woman has just returned from an intense two weeks at the Gondwana Composer School where she was mentored by The Song Company artistic director Antony Pitts and Australian composer Paul Stanhope.
Ella Macens: National Women Composers’ Development Program | CUT COMMON MAY 2016
Four emerging composers at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music have been selected for the first National Women Composers’ Development Program. Through the two-year program, the students are undertaking workshops with leading Australian women in music such as Anne Boyd and Maria Grenfell, and will have their works performed by groups including the Goldner String Quartet, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.