Chameleon

With close to 2 decades of performance experience and study, Tsoof Baras is a composer, percussionist, session musician, hand drummer and graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium.  His versatility has seen him working with Menaka Thomas (QMA Winner), national productions including Hamilton Australia and Mamma Mia! Australia and MZAZA.

Tsoof is a co-founder, director, producer, and predominant composer of SoundStruck. With the group he has created numerous percussion works for the corporate and sporting setting, managing large groups of drummers of diverse backgrounds for events like: the ICC Cricket World Cup, Dolphins NRL Halftime Performances, 2018 Commonwealth Games and SeaWorld Carnivale Aqua Light Show (2021-25).

As a composer, Tsoof is known for his unique and inventive style of writing. Current projects include: Chameleon a contemporary ballet composed and developed in collaboration with Rani Luther.

Tsoof is currently involved in the percussion department of the Queensland Conservatorium and Young Conservatorium programs.

http://www.tsoofbaras.com/

Rani Luther was born in Melbourne and attended the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School before beginning her professional dance career with the Kiel Ballet Company Germany in 1995 before dancing with world-renowned Netherlands Dance Theatre 2 and Netherlands Dance Theatre 1.

In 2003 Rani returned home to dance with The Australian Ballet Company, Sydney Dance Company, and in 2011 retired from stage as a principal dancer with Melbourne Ballet Company.

Rani won the gold medal at the Sanlam International Ballet Competition, South Africa 1993, was winner of the outstanding performance award in the City of Sydney Ballet Scholarship 1994 and received a nomination for best female dancer in the Green Room Award 2006 for her roles in Relic and Jiri with The Australian Ballet Company.

Rani has choreographed multiple works for companies and schools both internationally and in Australia.

In 2019 Rani was appointed Ballet Mistress and Creative Associate for Queensland Ballet and Thomas Dixon Centre and during this time produced, curated, and choreographed six new seasons for the Thomas Dixon Centre.

In 2023 Rani worked as associate choreographer on the CIRCA production of Duck Pond and in 2024 was associate choreographer on the Opera Queensland and CIRCA co production of Dido and Aeneas. Rani teaches dance and Pilates across Brisbane.