Noongar performer Amy Dowd, aka Bumpy, explains how she used her Music Works grant to develop a new work, Tooni, that draws on her family and cultural history.
How did you develop Tooni?
Tooni is my Noongar name, given to me by my Nanny, Aunty Rose Whitehurst, who also wrote the Noongar dictionary. In that sense, the development of Tooni feels like a journey that has been unfolding for a long time. I had a two-year residency as the First Nations Artist in Residence with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the Australian Art Orchestra, during which I had a set timeframe to develop, compose and present this work.
When I started working on the project, it was essential for me to return to Country, connect with family and language holders, and gather resources related to my family's history. So, while the project itself was realised over a two-year period, its development has definitely been a long time in the making.
How did you incorporate your own family and language throughout the work?
While I was traveling on country with my Mum and sister, I kept a journal. It became an incredible resource when I came home and felt overwhelmed by the idea of writing an entire show about my experience. The journal had all sorts of key learnings, phrases, moments that really stuck with me, and things that had a big impact. We also collected Dreamtime storybooks and recorded yarns with family members. I wanted to write music with language that highlighted specific yarns and thoughts I had, either with family or in solitude. With these resources, Nan's dictionary, and support from an amazing Noongar language teacher, we translated and incorporated the language into the show.
Where was Tooni presented and how was it received?
Tooni premiered on Opening Night at the 2024 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, held at the Fairfax Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne. It was such an emotional moment for me, with my family filling the first two rows, all of us knowing how much this show meant to us. The audience was incredible—engaged, attentive and so responsive. We received a huge standing ovation at the end!
After that, we were lucky enough to travel to Tokyo, Japan, and present the show as part of the Australian Art Orchestra's residency at the Shinjuku Pitt Inn. It was especially meaningful to be told I was the first Aboriginal person to perform there. It felt truly impactful.
How did your Music Works grant assist with this project?
The Music Works grant played a crucial role in developing this show. It helped cover composition time and supported both myself and my collaborators throughout the process. The grant also contributed to consultation fees, production costs like rehearsal fees and photographer expenses, and supported our travel to Japan.
What’s next for you?
I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio, getting my debut album ready. It will feature some of the tracks from Tooni, and I’m really excited to share this new body of work. Hopefully, I’ll be hitting the road not long after its release for a national tour!
Amy Dowd received a Music Works grant in 2024. Find out more about Victorian Government funding opportunities through Creative Victoria.