In 2018, Kirsty McCahon joined Moorambilla Voices as an ambassador. She was born in remote Carnarvon, Western Australia, and received her education in Melbourne, Paris, and Rome. Kirsty is Australia’s leading practitioner of Historical Performance Practice on the Double Bass and Violone. She served as the Principal Bass with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for 20 years and is currently the Principal Bass with Pinchgut, Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra, Bach Akademie Australia, and Van Diemen’s Band.

Kirsty is a founding member of the acclaimed Australian World Orchestra and was a featured soloist in the world premiere of Elena Kats-Chernin’s Concerto for 8 Basses, “The Witching Hour.” She collaborates frequently with composers, ensembles, and Australian art luminaries such as Ensemble Offspring, Sydney Chamber Opera, Genevieve Lacey, Elena Kats-Chernin, Kate Moore, David Malouf, Ken Unsworth, and Claire Edwards, bringing new Australian music to life. In early 2020, she released a solo bass CD of works for her unique musical style by leading female Australian composers.

Kirsty is passionate about education and the power of music to create social change. She was recently invited to be a Moorambilla Voices Ambassador, and the program’s transformative nature speaks to the heart of her work with children and youth. Kirsty conducts workshops around the world and contributes regularly to panels and forums. She was invited to mentor at Sydney’s inaugural “Women of the World” conference in 2014. She tutors the next generation of fine young musicians around the country and is a firm believer in “giving back.” Together with her bass playing husband Kees Boersma, she created and funded a string program at Leichhardt Primary School, which has evolved into one of the strongest music programs in a NSW public school.

Kirsty is a Churchill Fellow and was recognised in 2012 with an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne for her Services to Orchestral Music. She lives in Sydney with her family and a white cat named Coco. An ardent environmentalist, her heart resides deep in the country of this wide, brown land. Kirsty has already worked closely with Moorambilla Voices, providing her exceptional talent and skills in supporting Michelle in events such as organizing the ensemble for the Hillary Clinton Sydney performance and the MAXed OUT Company recording sessions. Recently, she was appointed as the Strategic Relations Manager at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, responsible for External Relations, International Partnerships, and Events. Kirsty will bring her extensive experience and network to this role, and the team is thrilled to have her on board as a strong advocate for Moorambilla.