Jed began lessons at the Con at the start of 2025, but his musical journey started earlier at Richmond River High School. After teaching himself piano at the end of Year 7 on a “very bad, almost toy piano,” he quickly immersed himself in music as an elective through Years 9 and 10. While many of his peers gravitated toward jazz and pop ensembles, Jed found himself equally drawn to classical repertoire and, increasingly, to composition. He relished the creative assignments, once orchestrating an unlikely version of Baby Shark for full film orchestra, and began using notation software to experiment with increasingly ambitious ideas.

By Year 12, composition had become central to his musical identity. For his HSC he presented both performance and composition electives, including an original work titled Komorebi — a Japanese word describing sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees. Largely self-taught on the shakuhachi, the traditional Japanese bamboo flute, Jed undertook extensive research into its techniques and musical language, blending that knowledge with his own contemporary voice. The resulting work for piano, strings and shakuhachi reflects both delicacy and depth, much like its evocative title.

Seeking to refine his work during his HSC year, Jed enrolled at the Conservatorium and began working with piano and composition teacher Nic Campbell. Lessons ranged from detailed score study and portfolio preparation to jazz improvisation and performance technique. “He explains what’s actually happening in the music,” Jed says. “Not just what chords to play, but why.”

Komorebi was performed at Encore at the Sydney Opera House by Jed himself on piano alongside outstanding string players and renowned shakuhachi master Bronwyn Kirkpatrick, who is also Executive Director Anita Bellman’s own shakuhachi teacher.

Jed’s selection to perform at Encore, which showcases the top HSC performances from across NSW, is an extraordinary achievement. To be nominated is significant. To be chosen is exceptional.

“Jed represents the very best of what’s possible when curiosity, discipline and creativity come together,” says Anita Bellman. “We are incredibly proud of him, not only for this outstanding achievement, but for the depth of thinking and originality he brings to his music.”

This year, Jed will commence a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Physics at the University of Melbourne, but music will remain joyfully woven through his life. “I never want to stop composing,” he says — and we can’t wait to hear where that promise takes him.

Watch his Encore Performance