Who is Hilary Kleinig?
I create and compose music, play the cello and educate young people. I’m a mum, wife, friend and lover of nature, good food and moving my body. I’m curious, grateful and positive and seek to be kind, caring and compassionate.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Although I’m a big believer that life unfolds as it should and we are where we are meant to be at any given time, if I could change something I would manifest some more time to create and play music and still be able to support myself and my family financially.
Who inspires you and why?
A lot of people. Laurie Anderson, Pauline Oliveros, Miriam Rose, Nancy Bates. My students and children. I’m also inspired by my friends and colleagues, fellow musicians and composers. I’m inspired the artists I’m lucky enough to perform with in my alone : together album launch tour – violinist Emily Tulloch, pianist / composer Nat Bartsch, harpist Emily Granger and percussionist Claire Edwardes – all of whom make an incredible and positive impact in their communities in various meaningful ways.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I strongly believe that music changes lives for the better and I see this in my day-to-day work as an educator, teaching artist with Connecting the Dots in Music and as a musician. Through my work I seek to empower people to find their voice as an artist so that they can share their unique stories and perspectives through music / art.
Lately I have been curious about the place and power of beauty in our lives and I have made a personal commitment to seek, celebrate, create and share beauty on a daily basis. In a world and life that often seems hard, unfair and out of my control I find it helpful to seek, recognise and be grateful for the many small beauties that I daily encounter and try to manifest these in small ways for others too.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Port MacDonnell in South Australia – a tiny, sleepy fishing town in the South East of South Australia where our family has a holiday home. It is so peaceful, quiet and it is ruggedly beautiful. I always feel like I can unwind, decompress and recharge when I am there.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I love taking visiting friends to Adelaide’s beaches – both metropolitan and also further south like Maslin’s Beach, Second Valley, Port Elliot. Also the wine regions that surround Adelaide – the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale – are stunning and have incredible restaurants and nature to explore.
What are you currently reading?
My Friends by Fredrik Backman – it is such a good book! I can recommend it wholeheartedly!
What are you currently listening to?
On high rotation at the moment are: Ghosts by Hania Rani, LYS by Mari Samuelsen and Dual Attractor by Claire Edwardes.
Happiness is?
A day with nothing scheduled, walking my dog on the beach, a hike in the hills, cooking yummy food for my friends or family.
What does the future hold for you?
Not sure, but I’m excited. Hopefully more of the same!
Hilary has recently launched her debut solo album, alone : together, and Illuminate Adelaide will present her work, The Lost Art of Listening, at the Waterside Workers Hall, Port Adelaide, from 9 – 11 July 2026. For more information, visit: www.hilarykleinig.com for details.
Image: Hilary Kleinig – photo by Sam Oster