VILDER, Yantra De

For over more than three decades, Yantra has profoundly shaped Australia’s creative landscape. As an award-winning composer, interdisciplinary media artist, filmmaker, conductor, educator, mentor, and arts advocate, she has consistently elevated Australian talent both nationally and internationally. Her work spans music, theatre, film, public installations, and cross-cultural collaborations, with a deep commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and social impact.

Yantra’s creative achievements include winning awards at film festivals in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Toronto, and Berlin, as well as composing and consulting for international broadcasters such as the BBC. She has also played a pivotal role in Australian arts festivals, including the 5 Lands Walk and Vivid Sydney, with innovative installations and productions that engage, educate, and inspire the community.

Yantra leads major initiatives such as Pianos for the People, a ground-breaking program run with the ABC, recycling pianos into public and private spaces to democratise access to music. She has been a tireless advocate for women in the arts, founding and chairing the Gender Equity Committee of the Australian Guild of Screen Composers, and curating high-profile events like She Plays and She Scores to spotlight and empower female composers.

Beyond her professional achievements, Yantra is deeply committed to lifting up others. She devotes time each week to mentoring younger composers and performers, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community, offering guidance, support, and opportunity without charge. As an LGBTQIA+ artist herself, she serves as both a role model and an advocate for inclusion, creating welcoming pathways for diverse voices in the arts.

Yantra’s body of work reflects not only artistic mastery but also a profound and sustained contribution to the cultural and social fabric of Australia. She is so loved by the Central Coast arts community, and especially by the Avoca Beach community.

Yantra has nurtured the next generation of artists through lecturing roles at top Australian institutions, contributing to published academic works, and leading community choirs and workshops. Her influence extends far beyond her own performance and compositions — she has left a lasting legacy by amplifying marginalized voices, creating inclusive spaces, and shaping cultural policy.