Betty Beath

Full biography Betty Beath

Betty Beath is an Australian composer , pianist, and educator who has established herself as one of the foremost classical music figures in Australia. She was born on November 29th, 1932 in East Ipswich, Queensland, and spent much of her formative years studying and playing music. She attended the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, where she studied composition, piano, and music education. Beath later went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Queensland.

Beath is known for her prolific output of music, which spans across a range of genres including orchestral, chamber, and instrumental music, as well as art song and music drama. Her music has been performed across the globe, including at the Edinburgh Festival, the Melbourne Festival, and the World Music Days festival in Oslo.

Aside from composing, Beath is also a talented pianist and has performed extensively as a soloist and collaborative artist. She has collaborated with her husband, David Cox, on a number of projects, including the writing of several music dramas.

In addition to her work as a composer and pianist, Beath has also been a dedicated educator. She served as the Head of Music at St. Margaret's Girls' School in Brisbane for many years, and as a lecturer in music education at the Queensland University of Technology.

Beath has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Order of Australia for her contributions to music education and composition. She celebrated her 80th birthday in 2012, and her legacy continues to live on through her music and the countless students she has inspired and mentored throughout her career.