What is Tenth Muse Initiative?
Tenth Muse Initiative is a Boorloo/Perth based collective founded by the next generation of classical musicians. While borne out of frustration with the lack of diversity which can be a mainstay of art music, TMI is now looking for the light, and showing the way.
In under five years we’ve held an award-winning Fringe show, received nominations in the Performing Arts WA Awards, commissioned new works by emerging composers and poets, and produced concerts that range from opera to intimate gatherings centred around cups of tea. All with the goal of highlighting the diversity in classical music & opera, creating a platform for new voices in WA, and designing performances which make classical music & opera engaging and welcoming.
Our name was inspired by Sappho, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets of her time, and was often called the "Tenth Muse." At times she has been regarded as a symbol for feminine creativity, she remains a reminder that women have always existed in the creative arts, even if sometimes history forgets.
“Someone will remember us, I say, even in another time...”
— Sappho (c. 630 – c. 570 BCE)
Tenth Muse Initiative was co-founded at the end of 2019 by Hannah Lee Tungate & Saskia Willinge.
Our mission was to set a new standard for art music events in Boorloo/Perth through championing and platforming underrepresented musicians and creators. Though Saskia left our team at the end of 2022, she pushed Hannah to turn TMI from an idea to reality, and we’re so grateful that she did.