Ambre Hammond

Ambre began piano studies at the age of 3 and gave her first public concert at age 5.
In 1989, at age 11, Ambre achieved a World Record, which she still holds, when she received the Associate and Licentiate Diplomas of music in the same year.
At 16 she received the First Prize in her first International Music Competition held in Argentina, South America. The following year Ambre was invited to return to Argentina to perform the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3 as her debut with the Cordoba Symphony Orchestra. This performance was recorded live, released as a CD and has been acclaimed by the Rachmaninoff Society of USA as one of the finest interpretations of this piece.
At 16, Ambre recorded and released a CD of music by Franz Liszt titled 'Devotion' which was funded by Australian artist Arthur Boyd who was astounded with Ambre's natural ability and invited her to be first Artist-In Residence at his Shoalhaven Property 'Bundanon' on the South Coast of Australia.
Ambre has performed both solo and with Orchestra throughout Switzerland, England, Italy, Spain, Poland, North and South America, New Zealand and China.
In 2006 Renowned Hollywood film writer and composer Lalo Schifrin was commissioned to write a unique Double Concerto for Jazz Trumpet, Classical Piano and Symphony Orchestra especially for Ambre and James Morrison. Ambre traveled to Schifrin's home in Los Angeles where she played the piece to Lalo who has dedicated the Concerto to her. The World Premiere performance was held in Sydney at the Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Schifrin Conducting in July 2007 to great acclaim from both critics and public alike.
In January 2008 & 2009 Ambre took on the position of Artist-In-Residence at the Launceston University.
It is important to Ambre to give back to the community through her ability as much as possible and she has been named Ambassador of the Brain Foundation of Australia and performs at the Annual Awards at the Great Hall of Sydney University.
Ambre is Youth Ambassador of the National Trust and performs voluntary concerts in their Historic Properties.
In 2008, Ambre traveled to New York to record the music of outstanding American composer, Patrick Zimmerli at the legendary Studio's of Rudy Van Gelder, working with Producer Don Sickler and Van Gelder himself.
In the past 12 months, Ambre has performed in excess of 50 concerts for Charity because of a profound love of music, and sharing her love of performing Classical music to audiences of all ages from all backgrounds.
In late 2010, Ambre toured regional areas of Australia, playing in restored Theatres and in 2011, Ambre will undertake another tour of Australia both playing and giving workshops for children in primary and secondary schools.
Ambre is also a regular on the speakers circuit giving inspirational and entertaining talks to various Clubs and Schools.
In March (2011) Ambre collaborated with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Indian legendary Slide Guitarist who won a Grammy for his album with Ry Cooder. They came together with their unique and individual styles playing a special one off fusion concert at the Sydney Opera House titled 'Raag Beethoven'.
In October, 2011 Ambre is performing in the USA and will collaborate on a new CD of the music of Piazzolla with master of the Piano Accordion, Marcello Maio as well as touring with Marcello throughout Australia in 2011/2012.
In February 2012 Ambre will tour India whilst also making a television documentary.
Ambre's newest CD 'Reverie' is a compilation of Romantic compositions written for piano, by various composers.
"Flawless technique, beautiful sound, exquisite repertoire. all these are in abundance on this recording but they are not why one listens to this music time and time again. The reason you'll immerse yourself in these sublime sounds more than once is the passion that Ambre brings to everything she does."
James Morrison OBE – Multi-instrumentalist 2009