Biography
Sophie Van Dijk is an emerging Sydney-based composer who writes music to offer reflection on the world around her, inspired by community, nature, friendship, and faith.
Sophie has been selected for mentoring programs including Omega Ensemble’s CoLAB, ICEBERG New Music Institute (USA), AYO NMC Composers Stream, Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra Composer Workshop, Gondwana National Choral School and Coro Innominata Women Composers’ Development Program. She has also partnered with visual artists, most notably on a short film, Merge.
Sophie’s works have been performed in Australia and internationally by Omega Ensemble, the Rhythm Method, TOPS Orchestra, Penrith Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble MUSE, Ensemble Terra, Radford College, Queenwood School, Trinity Grammar, Coro Innominata and The Resonants.
In 2025, Sophie received the Jenny Bounds Young Composer Prize from Penrith Symphony Orchestra to commission and perform her new work Sunset Edge; and her new choral work The Whisper of the Dying Stream was premiered at the National Museum of Australia at the Australian River Restoration Centre’s “Riversong” Concert.
Sophie also has extensive experience in copying and orchestration, development, music administration, production and curation, and composition teaching. Sophie is currently composer-in-residence at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College. She also works as an orchestrator, copyist, music librarian and producer with Jigsaw Music. Sophie has contributed to a variety of live, film and television projects including “Strictly Baz Luhrmann” (Opera Australia), “Butterfly Effect” (Jessica Wells, WA Ballet), “The Cape” (Michael Yezerski, STAN), “The Artful Dodger” (Antony Partos, Disney+), “In The Mood For Love In Concert” (Extent Entertainment, Sydney Opera House).
Sophie holds a Bachelor of Music (Composition) with first class honours from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She is a member of the Music Arrangers’ Guild of Australia
I have been creating compositions for as long as I can remember - taking any opportunity to write my own tunes on piano or violin rather than practise for my childhood music lessons (much to my mother’s chagrin!). My interest and craft have been honed over a number of years, particularly during my time studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
My current compositional practice draws inspiration from nature, people, community, friendships & faith. I am passionate about writing music that holds experimental sounds in tension with tranquil musical moments. My compositions often contain minimalist influences and repeated patterns that shift, change and evolve. My music was recently described as ‘thready’ - having elements that are woven together and can be traced from the start to finish of the piece.