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Dr Catherine Likhuta is a Ukrainian-Australian composer, pianist and recording artist whose music creates vivid musical worlds through storytelling, colour and emotional connection. Rooted in her Ukrainian heritage and shaped by a passion for human experiences, her works combine brilliant instrumental writing with warmth, imagination and a powerful sense of purpose. Catherine's compositions span orchestral, wind band, chamber and solo repertoire, and are performed by internationally renowned artists as well as young musicians around the world. Her music has been heard at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Glyndebourne Opera House and Meyerson Symphony Center, and performed by ensembles including Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Winds, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet and the Orchestra of the National Radio of Ukraine. A passionate advocate for Ukrainian culture, Catherine believes music has the ability to connect people, celebrate resilience and reveal beauty in unexpected places. A two-time winner of the International Horn Society Composition Contest (Virtuoso Division), she has received numerous awards including the University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award. Catherine holds a PhD in composition from The University of Queensland and is also an active concert pianist, regularly performing her own works.
Dr Catherine Likhuta is a Ukrainian-Australian composer, pianist and recording artist whose music creates vivid musical worlds filled with colour, imagination and emotional depth. Rooted in her Ukrainian heritage and shaped by a lifelong fascination with storytelling, Catherine writes music that invites listeners to experience familiar emotions in unexpected ways—celebrating resilience, curiosity, humour, beauty and the extraordinary moments that connect us as human beings. At the heart of Catherine's work is a belief that music should do more than impress: it should move people, spark imagination and create a lasting connection between performers and audiences. Her compositions combine brilliant instrumental writing, rhythmic energy and expressive warmth, bringing together technical excellence and genuine emotional communication. Whether writing a large-scale orchestral work, a virtuosic solo piece or a first concert experience for young musicians, Catherine approaches every composition with the same commitment: to create music that performers love to play and audiences remember long after the final note. Catherine's music spans orchestral, wind band, chamber and solo repertoire, and she has developed a distinctive voice recognised for its vivid storytelling, colourful orchestration and infectious energy. Her works often begin with a story—a place, a person, an experience or an idea—and transform that inspiration into a musical journey. From celebrations of cultural identity to reflections on courage, friendship, nature and the human spirit, her compositions reveal hope and beauty even in the face of challenge. Equally at home writing for internationally renowned artists and young musicians, Catherine believes that artistic excellence and accessibility are not opposites. Her music has been performed by thousands of musicians around the world, from school-aged performers discovering the joy of ensemble playing to leading professional artists and ensembles on the international concert stage. Her works have been performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Glyndebourne Opera House and Meyerson Symphony Center, as well as at International Horn Symposia, World Saxophone Congresses, festivals and conferences throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Catherine's commissions and performances include collaborations with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Winds, Orchestra of the National Radio of Ukraine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet, Atlantic Brass Quintet, Ensemble Q, ICE, Lyrebird Brass, NU CORNO, U.S. Army Field Band Horns, Tim McAllister, Brad Gemeinhardt, Solomiya Ivakhiv and Katy Woolley. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet's 2026 album Apex features Catherine's work Apex Predators as the title track. A passionate advocate for Ukrainian culture, Catherine draws inspiration from the richness of her heritage while creating music that speaks beyond borders. Her compositions explore universal experiences of identity, resilience, hope and connection, reflecting her belief that music can bring people together and illuminate the stories we share. From 2006 to 2009, Catherine received mentorship in the United States from acclaimed composers Dana Wilson and Steven Stucky, whose guidance played an important role in her artistic development. She has served as composer-in-residence at universities and festivals throughout Australia and the United States. A two-time winner of the International Horn Society Composition Contest (Virtuoso Division), she was the most performed composer at the 51st International Horn Symposium in Ghent, Belgium (2019), and is a recipient of numerous honours, including the 2023 University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award. Catherine's music appears on nearly two dozen commercial recordings released by Albany, Cala, Common Tone, Equilibrium, Mark and Summit Records. She is also an active concert pianist, frequently performing her own works and collaborating with leading instrumentalists. Catherine holds a PhD in composition from The University of Queensland, a five-year postgraduate degree in composition from the National Music Academy of Ukraine (Kyiv Conservatory), and a bachelor's degree in jazz and classical piano from Kyiv Glière Music College.