Calogero Panvino was born in Sydney in 1972 to parents of Italian descent. He came to music relatively late in life, as a university student studying economics and science. Soon after finishing his science degree, Calogero decided to follow his passion for music. He completed a Bachelor degree followed by a research Masters degree at the University of Sydney, and cites teacher/composers Kirsty Beilharz and Ian Shanahan as major influences from this time. He has been awarded numerous scholarships, grants and prizes for his work, including first prize in the 3MBS National Composer Award for his orchestral composition, Race Against Time (the first movement in his ballet, Munchian Dances).

Calogero has had his works performed by some of Australia’s most accomplished performers such as Diana Doherty, Alexandre Oguey and Shefali Pryor, who premiered his 15 Inventions For Solo Oboe, pianists Clemens Leske and Nicholas Young, and the violinist Evgeny Sorkin. His orchestral works have been performed by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra.

To date, Calogero has composed mostly music for acoustic instruments with the occasional foray into electronic/computer music. Although most of his compositions can be described as “contemporary classical”, one of his current projects is The Jasper Musical – a Broadway style musical loosely based Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood.

Calogero has an active interest in the natural world and is deeply concerned with the current state of the environment. This interest, his science background and a general appreciation of the arts are the main sources of inspiration for his music.