Sophie Min is a Korean–Australian pianist, composer, improviser, and researcher working at the intersection of contemporary jazz, experimental sound, and interdisciplinary stage performance. Her creative practice is defined by narrative-driven processes, layered sonic textures, and dynamic improvisation, exploring how musical concrete emerges through spontaneous interaction and deep listening. Across her extensive discography as a
composer, bandleader, and artistic director, she enjoys creating soundscapes that bridge acoustic instruments with responsive sonic environments.
A versatile collaborator across diverse artistic disciplines, she leads the experimental duo SHAMIN and the Sophie Min Orchestra, whose multidisciplinary project Your Wings
integrated group improvisation with written works, conduction method and physical storytelling. Her broader creative work spans open cue-based scores, vocal and instrumental arranging, and live acoustic-electronic systems utilising custom algorithmic processes and the Yamaha Disklavier project 'Drop:Echo'. With a strong focus on distributed creativity, she actively develops collaborative performance frameworks where improvisations, cognitive
practices, behavioural rules and live performance intersect.
Sophie was awarded the 2023 APRA Professional Development Award (Jazz & Improvised Music) and was selected as an ABC Jazz Artist-in-Residence in 2024. She is currently a PhD candidate at the Queensland Conservatorium (Griffith University), researching extended
performance and embodied collaboration, and teaches piano and ensemble practice at the Australian National University (ANU) School of Music.
Bio
Performance at Sendesaal Bremen, Germany.
Photo by Rolf Schoellkopf.
"Sophie Min may seem unassuming but when she writes music you witness a lion roar and you hear and feel a very evolved spirit expressing deep knowledge, passion and the mystery of our human condition" - Barney McAll
"Sophie Min is the truth" - Vijay Iyer
"Peace Piece" - Sophie Min
Independent Release (2026)
Sophie Min (p/improvisation)
"Barefaced" - SHAMIN
Independent Release (2025)
Sophie Min (p/composition), Benjamin Shannon (d/composition)
"Intertwined Trees" - Sophie Min & Heinrich von Kalnein (GER)
Natango Music (2024)
Sophie (p/composition), Heinrich (flute, saxophone/composition)
"Your Wings" - Sophie Min Orchestra
Independent Release (2022)
Sophie Min (p/composition), Zac Sakrewski (b), Benjamin Shannon (d), Nozomi Omote (vib/xyl), Flora Wong (vln), Tristan Rogers (tpt), Martin Kay (fl/sax/cl), Hannah Macklin (vox)
"Bellwether" - Sophie Min Orchestra
Real Production (2020)
Sophie Min (p/composition), Zac Sakrewski (b), Lachlan Hawkins (d), Kayleigh Pincott (v),
Tristan Rogers (trumpet), Josh Kehoe (tenor sax/soprano sax/flute/clarinet), Joel Aspinal (tenor sax), Harry Ottley (alto sax/flute/clarinet), Flora Wong (violin1), Julianna Kim (violin2),
Kieran Welch (viola), Briony Lutterell (Cello)
Independant Release (2020)
Sophie Min (p/composition)
"Open" - The Counters: Sophie Min Trio
Supersonic (2019)
Sophie Min (p/composition), Helen Svoboda (b), Tim Green (d)
‘"Thanks for the Hands" - Min/Sherlock
Pinnacles Music (2019)
Sophie Min (p/composition), James Sherlock (guitar)
"Fine Gnaw" - SHAMIN
Independent Release (2019)
Sophie Min (p/composition), Benjamin Shannon (d/composition)
"Min/Svoboda/Hawkins" - Min/Svoboda/Hawkins Trio
Independent Release (2018)
Sophie Min (p/composition), Helen Svoboda (b/composition), Lachlan Hawkins (dr)
"Hectic Moon" - Sprout
Supersonic Production (2018)
Helen Svoboda (b/composition), Sophie Min (p/composition), Simon Svoboda (cello)
"From All Sides" - Nimble
Independent Release (2018)
Sophie Min (p/composition), David Galea (b/composition), Lachlan Hawkins (dr/handpan),
Elly Hoyt (v), Kristin Berardi (v), Tsoof Baras (percussion)
"Move to the Bleat" - Martin Kay's Forage
Supersonic Production (2018)
Martin Kay (as/cl/composition), Andrew Saragossi (ts/acl), Brodie Mcallister (tb),
Sophie Min (p/keys), Helen Svoboda (b), Zac Sakrewski (b/effects), Benjamin Shannon (d)
"Solace" - Kayleigh Pincott Quintet
Independent Release (2017)
Kayleigh Pincott (v/composition), Sophie Min (p), Zac Sakrewski (b), Lachlan Hawkins (d),
Tristan Rogers (Tpt), Kieran T. Stevenson (v)
Discography
Awards/
accolade
Awards & Recognition
ABC Jazz Artist in Residence (2024), APRA Professional Development Award — Winner, Jazz & Improvised Music (2023),
APRA Art Music Awards — Finalist of the Work of the Year / Improvised Music (2023), Freedman Jazz Fellowship — Nominee (2022),
Australian Jazz Bell Awards — Nominee, Young Australian Jazz Artist (2021)
Selected Commissions & Residencies
Perth International Jazz Festival — “We Made a Thing” Major Commission (2022), Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival / SIMA — Emerging Composers Commission (2020), Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) — Creative Mentorship with Scott Tinkler (2022),
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity — International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music (2018)
@Sophie Min Music All Rights Reserved 2024