Laura Case

Dr Laura Case is a Lecturer in Musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. She holds a B.Mus(Hons) and B.Ed from UNSW, a PhD from the University of Sydney, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). Her research explores the social and cultural history of music in Australia, focusing on the violin’s role in Indigenous communities, cross-cultural interactions, and feminist perspectives. She is Wiradjuri and a classical violinist with over 20 years of performing experience, collaborating with Indigenous artists like Rhyan Clapham and Ensemble Dutala.

Education:

• B.Mus(Hons) – UNSW
• B.Ed – UNSW
• PhD – University of Sydney

Research Interests: Laura’s work bridges musicology and Indigenous studies, examining how instruments like the violin mediate cultural memory and colonial legacies. She analyzes Indigenous adaptations of European instruments to reclaim cultural narratives, with a focus on gendered histories and violin-making traditions. Her critical theoretical frameworks include Pierre Bourdieu and Dylan Robinson.

Publications & Media: Her recent works include a chapter in The Cambridge Companion to Music in Australia (2024) and articles on colonial concert culture and Indigenous violin practices. She has been featured in The Conversation, ABC Radio National, and Limelight, discussing topics like orchestral structures and Indigenous musical resilience.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2024 ABC Top 5 Media Residency
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK)

Advising & Grants: Laura supervises Pru Borgert’s research on Gumbaynggirr songs in education. She actively participates in projects like the Vere Gordon Childe Centre and Ensemble Dutala, promoting Indigenous musical heritage through performance and academic collaboration.