In demand as a soloist, chamber musician, accompanist and teacher, Erin Sweetman is one of the Hunter region’s most loved musicians.  

Most recently, Erin performed Beethoven’s virtuosic Emperor Concerto in June 2025, and in 2024, Rachmaninoff’s epic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Opus 43. These performances, alongside Christ Church Camerata and conducted by David Banney, were significant milestones in Erin’s performance career.

Erin performed George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue as soloist for the opening concert of the 2023 Newcastle Music Festival. Erin featured as the guest Musical Director for the Newcastle University Choir “From Broadway to the West End” performance in 2023, and has performed in the Christ Church Cathedral Lenten recitals, as both a soloist and collaborative artist.

In 2023, Erin performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto, No. 12 in A Major as piano soloist with Christ Church Camerata. Erin was a featured artist in the Newcastle University Choir concert performances of the Brahms Requiem and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light – A Requiem. She has appeared annually as associate artist and soloist in the Newcastle Music Festival and in concerts at the Newcastle Art Gallery. Erin proudly performed in the International 1:1 concert series devised in response to audience restrictions during the pandemic. Erin performed as soloist in the Maitland Heritage Festival in 2021 – 2025.

Erin has collaborated with many outstanding musicians including Susan Collins (violin), the Christ Church Camerata String Quartet, and cellist Anthea Scott-Mitchell, with whom she recorded an acclaimed CD (Into the Silence – available on Spotify). Erin appeared at the 2022 Newcastle Writers Festival accompanying readings from author Julia Baird.

As an associate artist, Erin regularly works with the Hunter Singers and the Newcastle University Choir. Erin has toured nationally and internationally, including performances at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and the World Choir Games (Cincinnati), and most recently to the United Kingdon and France with the Hunter Singers.

Erin regularly prepares and presents the Musica Viva pre-concert talks for the Newcastle concert series.

A lover of musical theatre as well as classical music, Erin attended the Music Director Intensive at Goodspeed Opera House, New York in 2016. She performed in the Newcastle productions of CHESS (2021), SUPERSTARS and Mary Poppins (2024) at the Civic Theatre.

Erin is currently a member of the Music Staff at St. Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton.

Image credit: Kurt Sneddon

AT THE FESTIVAL