Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Service - 2007

Neal Peres da Costa is awarded the Alumni Award for Community Service for his contribution to music as a performer and educator, both within the University of Sydney and in the community at large.

Neal has gained international renown for his historically-inspired performances on early keyboard instruments. In 1991, he co-founded the period instrument ensemble Florilegium, with which he has toured around the world. Neal has also performed with a range of other leading musical groups including the Brandenburg Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He has made numerous recordings throughout his career, including on the ABC Classics label, and he regularly appears on ABC Classic FM radio.

While pursuing his career as a performer, Neal is also dedicated to fostering young talent through music education. He held academic posts at the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College in London and the University of Leeds, all in the United Kingdom, before joining the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Today he occupies the Chair in Early Music, directs the flagship 'Early Music Ensemble' and lectures in musicology, harpsichord and fortepiano to Conservatorium students. Outside the University, he also donates much of his spare time to students through his involvement in mentoring and by providing masterclasses for high school students and emerging artists.

Neal's contributions have played an important role in raising the profile of music in the community, especially awareness of early keyboard music. He regularly presents pre-concert lectures for Musica Viva and performs in free public concerts at the Conservatorium. Neal's work with young performers has also encouraged many aspiring musicians to explore the relatively unknown field of early music.

photo: Steve Keogh