"Effortlessly beautiful" - The Voice AU

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Professional harpist, vocalist and composer, Liana Perillo, demonstrates a clear crossover between classical and contemporary jazz styles in her music. Liana predominantly plays the electro-acoustic pedal harp, coupled with amplification and analogue effects pedals to extend the sonority of her instrument. 

 

Liana is an Australian musician of Italian descent, currently based in Melbourne. Second cousin to Virgil Donati, who is widely regarded as one of the most technically advanced drummers of all time, Liana’s early exposure to music through her family lineage was diverse. Liana studied classical harp with Pamela Raines and contemporary jazz harp with Mary Doumany throughout her 20’s.

 

Whilst completing her Advanced Diploma of Music Performance in Contemporary Jazz Voice and a Masters of Music Therapy, Liana and her partner, Fabian Aravalés formed their band project, Perolas. Perolas earned the award for ‘Best Intercultural Act’ at the 2019 Music Victoria Awards and were featured on ABC’s ‘Spicks and Specks’ in 2022. Their iconic performances have been showcased at some of Melbourne’s leading live music venues, including the Melbourne Recital Centre and Jazzlab.

 

In 2023, Liana was invited to audition on 'The Voice Australia' and made it to the top 88 where she performed alongside Jessica Mauboy. Among other notable Australian artists, Liana has performed as a featuring harpist with Conrad Sewell, and across all major Australian events including Melbourne Fashion Week, Australian Open, AFL, and Spring Cup Carnival. Liana performs regularly with the Preston Symphony Orchestra and has recorded for various local artists including ELAURA, ALETHIA, Danika Smith, Vanessa Estrada and Mike Gurrieri of PBS FM. 

 

Liana was recently awarded an international fellowship with the International Specialised Skills Institute, George Alexander Foundation to perform across Europe and learn from world leading jazz harpists, including Tara Minton. Internationally, Liana has also performed with the Australasian Harp Orchestra at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong in 2017, and earned a scholarship with the Jazz Harp Foundation in 2018, travelling to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for a jazz harp intensive study program. 

 

In 2023, Liana will be working on her debut album as a soloist and with her band Perolas, whilst continuing her jazz harp studies. 

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Photography by Rob Hamilton

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