David Page

Roy David Page (1961 – 28 April 2016), known as Dubboo to his close friends, was an Australian composer (he preferred the term "songman") who was the music director of the Bangarra Dance Theatre. He was descended from the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh people of south-east Queensland, and brother of choreographer Stephen Page and dancer Russell Page. He was also an actor, singer and drag artist.

Early life and education Page was born in Brisbane, the eighth of twelve children, and grew up in Mount Gravatt. His father was Aboriginal/Chinese and his mother was of Maori, Spanish, Irish and Aboriginal heritage. Two of his brothers were Stephen Page and Russell Page,

Page embarked on a singing career as a teenager under the name "Little Davey Page", and was the first Australian to be signed to Atlantic Records.

Page studied saxophone, voice and composition at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music within the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide.

Career Page worked at NAISDA Dance College as music producer as well as bus driver and janitor. He joined the Bangarra Dance Theatre in 1991 as resident composer along with his brothers Stephen Page (choreographer) and Russell (dancer), Page composed the scores for 27 of Bangarra's works. He was appointed Artist-in-Residence in 2011. He played a DJ, Kenny, in the 2005 half-hour film Green Bush, directed by Warwick Thornton.

Page collaborated with Steve Francis on music for the 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival in 2000, and the Sydney Dreaming Festival in 2002.

Death and legacy Page died on 28 April 2016 at the age of 55. His family declined to reveal the cause of death.

The David Page Music Fellowship was inaugurated by Bangarra in 2017, "in recognition of David's extraordinary life, his multi-talents and his contribution across so many theatrical productions". It provides mentorship and financial support for one or more music or sound artists to work in a collaborative environment for Fellows spend at least four weeks at Bangarra's studios. If the fellows are not from Sydney, flights and accommodation are paid for, and fees are paid for final compositions as well as for time working at Bangarra

Awards and nominations ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. 1995 Heartland (as various artists) Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album Deadly Awards 1997 Fish (Page) Excellence in Film or Theatrical Score: Deadly Awards 2002 Skin by Bangarra Dance Theatre (Page and Steve Francis:) Excellence in Film or Theatrical Score

Green Room Awards Page won the Green Room Award for Best New Australian Play in 2006 for Page 8.

Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards commenced in 1984 and recognise outstanding achievements in dance, drama, comedy, music, opera, circus and puppetry.