Celebrating more than 40 years in Australia, Roland Peelman has drawn many plaudits for his overall contribution to the creative arts in Australia, including the 25 year stewardship of The Song Company (1990 - 2015) and his ten-year tenure at the helm of the Canberra International Music Festival.

With a reputation as one of Australia’s most innovative musical directors, he dedicates his time to creative projects on both sides of the globe, performing, recording, directing and advising across various platforms of the creative arts. Roland is ongoing Artistic Mentor to Luminescence Chamber Singers, President of Art Song Canberra and currently involved in Barragga Yangga, the latest project of Djilima Yilaga on the NSW Southcoast. 

Born in Belgium, Roland has been active in Australia since 1984, working with Opera Australia (1984-91), Sydney Metropolitan Opera (1989-94), the Hunter Orchestra in Newcastle (1990-97), and the Canberra International Music Festival (2015 – 2024).  He transformed The Song Company into one of Australia’s most admired and innovative ensembles. In addition, he instigated and directed an impressive list of new work, orchestral, vocal, and operatic.  

For his commitment to the creative arts in Australia, Roland has received numerous accolades, including the NSW Award for “the most outstanding contribution to Australian Music by an individual’ in 2005. In 2006 he was named ‘musician of the year’ by the Sydney Morning Herald and he has since featured regularly as one of the most influential people in the Australian arts scene. In 2020, Peelman was appointed an honorary  Member of the Order of Australia for  “significant service to music”, and in 2023 he was awarded the APRA Art Music National Luminary Award. Also the Belgian government has recognised his unique contribution, bestowing him with the title of ‘Commandeur in the Order of Leopold’ in 2023.