Mia Barham is an emerging improvising musician from Melbourne, Australia. She is an integral member of the Melbourne Jazz Scene performing at both the MIJF and MWIJF, with her own group and with other musicians projects. She has performed with established musicians such as Andrea Keller and Paul Grabowsky and has done online recording projects with Dave Douglas and Ingrid Jenson. She has been the recipient of multiple scholarships and awards such as the Dr Phillip Law Music Scholarship, The Monash Jazz Music Scholarship, The Lady Turner Prizes and the Marion Thomas Award. She runs a collection of groups performing her original music and has recently released her debut album ‘Earth Songs’ that was launched at prestigious Melbourne venue Tempo Rubato. She has been fortunate enough to be mentored by some of Australia’s leading jazz musicians such as Paul Williamson, Angela Davis and Nat Bartsch. Mia’s music is humble and open, taking inspiration from musicians such as Ian Clarke, Bon Iver and Andrea Keller. She is an emerging artist who has an infectious passion for music, wearing her heart on her sleeve in every performance. 

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​She began music when she was 8 years old, picking up flute as she had loved how it sounded when someone had played it in the school assembly. After picking up saxophone later on in high school, she fell in love with music’s unique ability to create connections and share stories amongst new and old friends. As an improvising musician she has performed in online recording projects with Dave Douglas and Ingrid Jenson and performs regularly with The Paris Cat Big Band, The Minnie Big Band, the Jazzlab Orchestra and the Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra. She was offered a place in the highly competitive Creative Music Intensive run by the Australian Art Orchestra and has regularly performed as part of Rob Bourke’s Jazz Gathering at the Southside Jazz Club.