Composed by Natalie Nicolas, Peaceful Moments was born from a visit to Westmead Children's Hospital—not to observe the children, but to understand the needs of the staff. What Natalie saw was healthcare workers stretched to their limits, their nervous systems in a constant state of fight or flight. The idea of adding music to their environment, even in break spaces, felt overwhelming to them—one more stimulus in an already overstimulated world. Since COVID, life for patients has largely returned to normal, but for healthcare workers, the pressures remain as intense as ever.

This album is for them. Drawing from Natalie’s PhD research on music for calm, emotional release, and wellness, Moments of Peace is a collection of musical reflections on small, quiet moments—"Afternoon Quiet," "Summertime," and others—that offer a sense of stillness. It’s designed as a guide for transition, a way for workers to step out of their high-pressure environments and use music to reclaim a sense of calm as they move from work to home. In these pieces, she hopes they can find a space to rest, reset, and reconnect with themselves. Peaceful Moments was commissioned by the Hush Foundation.

About Matt Withers

Matt Withers is an ambassador for Australian music, a well-established classical guitar pedagogue, performer and role model for musicians across the country.

His career to date has seen him perform with highly esteemed artists of the likes of William Barton, Sally Whitwell, Acacia Quartet, many national orchestras as well as maintaining strong commitments in the leading Australian chamber music group Guitar Trek alongside Timothy Kain.

Matt has a strong history of performing, recording and commissioning Australian works from distinguished composers as well as from generational peers. With solo and chamber studio albums released on ABC Classics (Australia), Naxos Records (International) and Soundset Recordings (USA), he thrives on taking this music to wider audiences, broadening and expanding their musical horizons.

His entrepreneurial activities include the creation and development of the Australian Music Composition Competition which gives an avenue of support for Australian composers to have their music reach the ears and hearts of their audience. Matt has presented lectures on his passion The Entrepreneurial Guitarist in Europe to blossoming artists, eager to also find their niche in the musical world.

About Vatche Jambazian

Sydney-born pianist Vatche Jambazian completed his Master of Music at The Juilliard School following studies at the Sydney Conservatorium. Following his international debut in Armenia, Vatche has since performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

Vatche was awarded the Fine Music Station (2MBS) Young Performer of the Year (NSW) , was a finalist in the ABC Young Performer of the Year and a prize winner at the Los Angeles International Piano Competition.

Concert engagements have seen him perform at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, City Recital Hall, Hobart Town Hall, The Foundling Museum, Zipper Hall, and Lincoln Centre where he gave the New York premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s Light and Matter Piano Trio through the Rolex Arts Initiative.

Vatche has been featured on ABC Classic FM, Fine Music Station 2MBS, WQXR Radio (NYC), and has performed with baritone David Greco, soprano Eleanor Lyons, and the Orava Quartet.

During the pandemic Vatche has maintained an active performance schedule featuring in the Digital Season at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Digital Concert Hall, The Australian Festival of Chamber Music and Phoenix Central Park and additionally holds the position of Guest Artist and Professor at The Piano Institute (Surabaya, Indonesia).

Vatche is the Principal Pianist for Omega Ensemble, the Artistic Director of the Bowral Autumn Music Festival and he currently holds the position of Academic lecturer at the Australian Institute of Music.