Oboe & Piano - expanding to Trio Henri with distinguished guest artists

"Endless inventiveness and daring" — Carl Vine AO.

“Her energy and commitment to developing, commissioning, and performing new works ... makes her a composers’ dream ... Michael Ierace ... so superb, understatedly brilliant...pristine..." Anne Cawrse, composer.

Celia Craig and Michael Ierace, one of UNESCO City of Music Adelaide's most distinctive chamber partnerships, are devoted to championing living Australian composers and promoting contemporary Australian oboe music. With established connections to the history of South Australian oboe pedagogy through Elder Conservatorium and Australasian Double Reed Society (ADRS), their duo expands to Trio Henri when joined by distinguished guest artists, most notably Dr. Mark Gaydon, Principal Bassoonist of Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, with whom a number of significant commissions have already been created: Joe Chindamo, Anne Cawrse, and soon, Lachlan Skipworth.

Recipients of the CreateSA Biennial Artist Grant 2025–26, Craig and Ierace are currently launching their work internationally with the release of a new album of contemporary Australian music for oboe and piano on the Artaria label. The launch will be designed to be neurodiverse-friendly, with considered lighting and sensory environments reflecting Celia's grant-funded exploration of synaesthesia and neurodiversity as Create SA, Biennial Artist.

Together as a duo, Craig and Ierace have commissioned and premiered works by Stuart Greenbaum, Connor Fogarty, and Carl Vine AO, significantly extending the repertoire for these instruments. They curate a concert series at the North Adelaide Baroque Hall together. As Trio Henri, the ensemble has been engaged by the Elder Conservatorium, the International Double Reed Society (IDRS) including in Thailand, Bowral Autumn Chamber Music Festival, and with acclaimed cellist Thomas Marlin, they also champion the hidden, synaesthetic history of 1930’s pianist composer Dr. Miriam Hyde, including in educational residencies at Brighton Secondary School and in Mount Gambier.

Each member brings an exceptional individual career. Former Principal Oboe of Adelaide Symphony, Craig is an internationally experienced oboist, synaesthete and neurodiversity coach, Winner of Australian Women in Music Awards and former President of the ADRS (2007–2013). Ierace has been cited as having "an exceptional gift," winning both the Keyboard Award and the Accompanist Prize at the Royal Over-Seas League Competition — the first pianist in the competition's history to receive both honours — and is a regular Associate Artist for the State Opera of South Australia and the Adelaide Festival. 

"I am honoured to have been approached to compose new music for oboist Celia Craig … with pianist Michael Ierace … a wonderful musician and one of the world's finest oboists… endless inventiveness and daring... a source of wonder and joy for audiences and supporters alike..." — Carl Vine AO