Anna Hughes

Anna is a composer, collaborator and performer based in Newcastle. Since graduating from Newcastle University with a year at The Sibelius Academy, she has established herself in the North East music scene, most notably, with folk quartet Balter, pianist Benjamin Fitzgerald, song based duo Northering, and Holly Clarke, as well as writing for interdisciplinary commissions.

Her sound design for In Tandem Theatre Company’s ‘A Great Fear of Shallow Living’ premiered at Edinburgh Fringe, 2017, where it was the winner of the Infallibles Award. This was revived for the Fireside Festival and a run at Draper Hall, London, 2018. 

This has led to a long term collaboration with writer, actor and Anna’s sister, Isobel Hughes. ‘A Place to Fall to Pieces’, their first project together, has been widely acclaimed. Supported by Mahogany Opera, this was selected as one of five operas internationally to take part in their Various Stages Festival 2020, at the ICA, London and has since been supported by Sage Gateshead. Its UK tour was funded by Arts Council England. 

“Anna is a mastermind of sound production… with her ethereal vocals and ingenious use of the fiddle” - Upper Circle

These interdisciplinary collaborations have unearthed a passion for writing from “unmusical” starting points - be it dance, literature, conversation or nature. Anna is now an Artist in Residence 2022-2023 at Sage Gateshead.