About Me

Sophia Mackson is a Queensland-based violist, composer, advocate, writer and educator. She has studied a Bachelor of Music at The University of Queensland, under the tutelage of Professor Patricia Pollett.As a violist, Sophia actively plays and composes for the chamber ensemble, Cerulean Collective. Sophia has also been a part of Australian Youth Orchestra's National Music Camp, Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera, Nonsemble, and other ensembles. Through her composing, Sophia has taken part in Ensemble Offspring's Hatched Home Academy in 2020, Topology Launchpad Mentorship and the Women Composers Development Programme with Coro Innominata. She has also composed for ensembles such as Melbourne based ensemble Ellipses Trio, and violist Helena Burns.Sophia is also a writer, and in 2025 has taken part in Australian Youth Orchestra's Media and Communications Fellowship. Through this fellowship, she has written articles for AUSTA's Stringendo Magazine, been an interviewee on Samuel Cairnduff's Podcast "Decoding Cultural Leadership", AYO's online blog, MC'd various concerts. Sophia also is a announcer at 4MBS Classic FM.Sophia has been interviewed by ABC Classic, ABC New England Northwest, and ABC Brisbane for her advocacy in classical music, particularly around being a musician and having ADHD. She has been lauded as a changemaker for those who are neurodivergent and have disabilities within the classical music industry. She continues to be a strong advocate, with her podcast “On-the-spot” featuring people who work in the arts that are neurodiverse and have disabilities. Sophia hopes to combine her skills with her experiences as a queer, genderqueer, and neurodivergent musician to create works that speak to a large audience and that evoke conversation.

Works

Below you can find my selection of works.For purchasing of scores, more information or to commission a new composition please use the Contact Page.

Centre

For Two Violas. Approximate Duration: 8 minutesThis work I composed in 2023 as a part of my Honours Recital. I was so lucky to be able to perform this work with the wonderful violist Helena Burns (pictured with me on the left) at that recital.This work explores the wide range of the viola through extended techniques, lyrical melodic lines and interwoven textures. This work is dedicated to my best friend Kristen Scott, as an homage to our long standing friendship.

How to Let Go

For Violin, Clarinet in Bb and Piano. Approximate Duration: 7 minutesI composed this work for Melbourne base ensemble Ellipsis Trio after hearing videos of their performances on Instagram. I contacted them after and the rest is history!I wrote this work at a time where I was asking myself how to let go of anxiety. I did not have the answer, but I feel that as humans we work towards this throughout life and it gets easier. I really wanted to encapsulate that feeling of longing but eventual resolve within this work.

Button to Ellipsis' Instagram below!

Revise

For Mixed Ensemble (string quartet, Double bass, Percussion, Vocals, Piano, Synth, Trombone, Trumpet in Bb, French Horn, Alto Saxophone, Flute). Approximate Duration: 10 minsWords by Emily WinterI wrote this piece for Sketch Ensemble at The University of Queensland, which I am part of as a violist. I loved this fantastic collaboration with Sketch and also poet Emily Winter. This work explores mixed meter and interjecting rhythms with lots of drive. This work can also be arranged for various different ensembles.

Button to Emily's Instagram below!

Continuance

For Mixed Ensemble (string quartet, Double bass, Percussion, Vocals, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet in Bb, Oboe, Flute). Approximate Duration: 8 minsWritten for Sketch Ensemble at The University of Queensland

Link to Performance Below

The Garden

For SATB (unaccompanied) Approximate Duration: 4 minsWritten as part of Coro Innominata's Women Composers Mentorship

Media and News

Below are links to some of my viola performances and news about the goings-on of my career

Link to my album with Abigail Lui, "Horizons"!

Link to Lento by Robert Davidson, Performed by Sophia Mackson and Alex Raineri

Link to my review of The Australian Youth Orchestra's "Striking and Beautiful" Concert

Click the link below to be redirected to my podcast!

Contact