ALT A shadow puppetry lightbox with figures of a moon, sun, and window. Behind, projections of a music box being cranked.

ALT Audience watching Kate perform. The space has beautiful curved beams as part of the ceiling.

ALT Audience members crowding around the shadow puppetry lightbox, adding figures to form a graphic score for Pia Rose Scattergood’s piece “Shadow Medley”

ALT Profile picture of Kate Ryder beside a grand piano

ALT A gothic picture of Kate in a flowing velvety purple dress with one of her toy pianos in a graveyard

ALT An aerial view of Kate playing two toy pianos: a Goldon and a Jaymar

ALT Pianist Kate Ryder is celebrated for her original work with extended techniques and unusual keyboard instruments – toy pianos, music boxes, antique keyboards and prepared piano. She integrates them into all her performances, commissioning new work, improvising, recording and giving workshops on these unique instruments. She has developed an authentic new keyboard repertoire for her large collection of small modern and vintage pianos (1904 – 1960) which range from one to three octaves, mixing them with beats, electronica and images, locating these tiny instruments into a new sonic landscape. She has travelled extensively with her instruments, performing at festivals in Australia, America, and Russia. Kate’s unique approach to Toy Piano, as a multi keyboard sound source, and performing in unusual spaces from nightclubs to medieval churches and theatres, aims to create a new perspective for both listener and performer.