Musical career

Liz Van Dort started her career as a child soloist in the Australian Childrens' Choir, soloing on TV shows like 'Young Talent Time'. She studied classical singing intensively, performing and winning a number of awards. Requiring orthodontic treatment after years of singing tuition, she then opted not to pursue a classical singing career and instead studied social anthropology at University of Melbourne, where she became interested in pop and world music, started to perform locally, sang with bands and on radio ads and briefly studied acting.

In the 90s, Liz Van Dort was part of ambient music duo Faraway, which she formed with British musician Harry Williamson. Part of the explosion of world and experimental music popular at that time, their unusual sound was likened to that of Dead Can Dance, Enigma and Deep Forest[1] , and the duo were popular throughout Europe and the US, performing at Womad, Glastonbury Festival and more and living in the UK and Australia.

Liz Van Dort's voice was commended by luminaries such as Peter Gabriel[2]. Faraway released music via British Voiceprint Records' Resurgence label, and via French label Prikosnovénie. Van Dort also made an appearance on the anti-nuclear fundraising CD 'Nuclear Waste', which featured Sting.

Liz Van Dort now runs a digital communications agency in Melbourne. She has continued to guest record vocals for other artists, contributes occasional tracks to compilations, such as the 2006 'Effleuremont' compilation. She sometimes contributes her voice to TV and film soundtracks, such as the Geschichte Mitteldeutschlands series made for German TV.°[3] She also made an appearance in Australian movie Coffin Rock (2009).→[4]

Personal life

Liz Van Dort grew up in Melbourne, Australia, attended a private catholic girls' college in Malvern, and completed a BA in social sciences at University of Melbourne in Parkville.

For six years until 1999, Liz was the partner of composer and musician Harry Williamson, the youngest son of acclaimed British novelist Henry Williamson who wrote 'Tarka the Otter', for whom 'Tarka Country' in North Devon is now named.

In 2010 Liz gave birth to a son with her partner Roger, from whom she has since separated. Her son was born prematurely and she has since spoken and written on the issues affecting premature babies.÷ ×[5]

[Wikipedia]