Michael Yezerski

Composer

Michael Yezerski studied composition under Peter Sculthorpe, Ross Edwards and Anne Boyd at the University of Sydney graduating with first class honours. He then graduated with distinction in audio technology from the Australian Institute of Music and completed film music studies at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School where he was awarded the AFTRS Critics Circle Music Prize. Soon afterwards he received one of the inaugural APRA Professional Development Awards that enabled travel and further study in the USA including an attendance at the ASCAP International Film Scoring Workshop in Los Angeles.

Since his return, Michael has received various commissions both for the concert stage and film. In 2005, he collaborated with Richard Tognetti on the soundtrack to the acclaimed surf film, Cape of Storms.

Michael’s feature films include The Black Balloon (dir. Elissa Down, starring Rhys Wakefield, Gemma Ward, Luke Ford, Erik Thompson and Toni Collette - Crystal Bear Winner, 2008 Berlin Film Festival), Newcastle (dir. Dan Castle, starring Shane Jacobsen, Barry Otto – Tribeca Film Festival 2008), and additional music for Crosslife (dir. Claire McCarthy) and the box office hit Kenny (dir. Clayton Jacobsen).

He has worked with some of Australia’s finest musicians including Richard Tognetti, Josh Pyke, Synergy Percussion, David Campbell, Joseph Tawadros, Bert LaBonte and Simon Day. 'When We Get There', which Michael co-wrote with Josh Pyke, received high rotation on Triple J earlier this year. The song was co-produced with Wayne Connolly and Josh Pyke.

Other prizes include APRA-AGSC Australian Screen Music Awards and nominations, Gold Medals at both the 2004 and the 2006 Park City International Film Music Festivals (USA) and Best Classical Artist at the 2004 MusicOz Awards (where he also received a nomination for Best World Music Artist).

www.michaelyezerski.com