100 WOMEN. 100 STORIES.
a cONCERT FOR 100 VOICES
"I felt like I was paying homage to my brave, broken, beautiful female ancestors, and by doing so - that I was somehow passing on their wisdom and protection to my own kind, wise, incredible, daughter and onto my funny, sweet & feisty little granddaughter. It was bonding, swirling and enthralling and I will never forget the magic of it."
Kate, participant
HOW WE GOT HERE
Remember those long days of lockdown when our worlds got smaller and our happiness depended on how much we liked sitting on our sofa? Here at The House That Dan Built grand plans to tour were suddenly cancelled and in their place a project was born - one that could be done remotely and engage over 100 women and girls from across the country.
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“We needed 100 capes to use as costumes for another work, and we thought why not ask women to volunteer to sew them? We’ll send them a pack with all the materials, we’ll send them some music and we’ll connect with them about their lives. Let’s see what happens.”
- Danielle O’Keefe
What happened was one hundred roughly recorded phone conversations between strangers. Dan thought for a minute about what to do with these recordings before commissioning six female composers to turn those interviews into harmonies and melodies in a joyous celebration of the female experience: Voila 100 Women 100 Stories!
After a development sing in Deniliquin, NSW the full work was sung for the first time at Sydney Town Hall in 2023. It has since traveled to Melbourne, Wagga Wagga, and Wonthaggi.
This November we are singing in Bondi. To mark this special Bondi event we even interviewed another 30 local women to inspire new songs, written by more composers - and as always, 100 women will have 3 days to learn - and perform - it all.
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
2023: Development Showing - Deniliquin, NSW
2023: Sydney Town Hall, NSW
2025: City of Kingston, VIC
2025: Wonthaggi, VIC
2025: Wagga Wagga, NSW
2026: Bondi, NSW
"It was the most extraordinary experience... Danielle and The House were remarkable with the organisation & vision for the weekend. Everything was seamless, inspirational & extraordinary. It was also fascinating to meet some of the remarkable 100 Woman that were involved with singing too – it was such an interesting group of people.
The House that Dan Built is extraordinary – the power of music and song is often so understated but should never be overlooked."
Sarah, participant
THE COMPOSERS
In 2021 Jessica received the top performance award in the APRA/AMCOS AMC Art Music Awards and in 2018 she was the recipient of an Australian Institute of Music Fellowship for her “outstanding contributions” to the nation’s music industry. She harnessed a prestigious classical training that included Sydney University, Victorian College of the Arts and London’s Covent Garden into an extensive and eclectic musical career that spans opera, medieval music, pop, jazz and cabaret. A long-term advocate for the democratisation of music, she is committed to engaging with audiences by creating bold, sonic experiences like no other.
In 2021 Jessica received the top performance award in the APRA/AMCOS AMC Art Music Awards and in 2018 she was the recipient of an Australian Institute of Music Fellowship for her “outstanding contributions” to the nation’s music industry. She harnessed a prestigious classical training that included Sydney University, Victorian College of the Arts and London’s Covent Garden into an extensive and eclectic musical career that spans opera, medieval music, pop, jazz and cabaret. A long-term advocate for the democratisation of music, she is committed to engaging with audiences by creating bold, sonic experiences like no other.
Leahannah (she/her) is a composer, vocalist, flautist and performer from Naarm/ Melbourne, Australia. Leahnnah brings with her 20 years of experience as a vocalist and flautist, having performed in numerous bands over the years ranging from jazz, contemporary, to progressive/experimental and folk. Leahannah is passionate about creating unique, emotive music that blends vocals, and acoustic instruments with electronic soundscapes. Leahannah’s sound can be best described as ethereal, emotional, and immersive.
Leahannah (she/her) is a composer, vocalist, flautist and performer from Naarm/ Melbourne, Australia. Leahnnah brings with her 20 years of experience as a vocalist and flautist, having performed in numerous bands over the years ranging from jazz, contemporary, to progressive/experimental and folk. Leahannah is passionate about creating unique, emotive music that blends vocals, and acoustic instruments with electronic soundscapes. Leahannah’s sound can be best described as ethereal, emotional, and immersive.
Pru Montin is an award-winning Australian screen composer and sound designer based between Los Angeles and Melbourne. Known for her innovative approach to musical sound design, she blends acoustic nuance, bold sonic experimentation and emotional storytelling. Her film credits include Moon Rock for Monday and All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane. In theatre, she has composed for Bell Shakespeare, Australian Theatre for Young People and Pilot Theatre (UK). An ASCAP “Composer to Watch” and APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award recipient, Pru holds a Master of Music in Film Scoring from NYU. She also lectures in screen composition and explores the intersection of music, sound and perception.
Pru Montin is an award-winning Australian screen composer and sound designer based between Los Angeles and Melbourne. Known for her innovative approach to musical sound design, she blends acoustic nuance, bold sonic experimentation and emotional storytelling. Her film credits include Moon Rock for Monday and All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane. In theatre, she has composed for Bell Shakespeare, Australian Theatre for Young People and Pilot Theatre (UK). An ASCAP “Composer to Watch” and APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award recipient, Pru holds a Master of Music in Film Scoring from NYU. She also lectures in screen composition and explores the intersection of music, sound and perception.
Aija Draguns is a Sydney-based emerging composer. She has a passion for choral music and is heavily influenced by her Latvian heritage. Growing up Aija studied piano and saxophone, and sung in various ensembles in the Latvian community. Aija attended the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, completing a Bachelor of Music (Composition), and a Bachelor of Music Studies (Composition Honours). Aija has since worked with Sydney Youth Orchestra and Ensemble Apex. Aija’s compositions have been programmed by Sydney Philharmonia choir Vox, Sydney Conservatorium choirs, Konzertprojekt, Trinitiy Grammar School choir, the Australian Latvian Cultural Festival, The House that Dan Built, and Melbourne Latvian choir Daina. Aija's work has recently been presented in Sydney Town Hall and at the Sydney Opera House.
Jayden Selvakumaraswamy is an emerging soprano vocalist and ballet dancer. She worked with The House that Dan Built for over ten years, stepping into the role of Artistic Associate.Jayden started a singing school in Goondiwindi in 2023 and continues creating greater access to music education in regional Queensland (in person and online). She has performed in House projects such as Tender Young Creatures, Toy Choir, SALT, Bagatelle, Echo, SALT360, Femina Controllata Machina, 100 Women 100 Stories, Whispers & Roars, and Reverence. Jayden has also toured with Sydney Chamber Opera’s ‘Howling Girls’ for Tokyo Festival, Jessica O’donoghue’s ‘Rise Up’ tour and ‘The Mother Project’, Angelica Mesiti’s ‘ASSEMBLY’ film at the Venice Biennale, and Felicity Wilcox's opera ‘Emergenc/y'.
Audrey Ormella is a Sydney-based composer whose practice is inspired by the mangroves and birds of her local river, her personal family histories, and a love of the visual arts. Audrey has written extensively for choir, with work performed previously by Coro Innominata, Leichhardt Espresso Chorus and Trinity College Choir from the University of Melbourne. In August 2026, 650 primary school children performed her work at the Sydney Opera House. She has also enjoyed instrumental opportunities, with a short piece performed by the Goldner String Quartet in 2024, and an upcoming work for Ensemble Offspring in November 2026. Audrey acknowledges the Wangal and Gadigal people, whose cultures, histories and voices are embedded in the lands she lives and works on.
