Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Tuesday 3 October
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Eddie Ayres’ new book, Danger Music, tells a story of remarkable personal change and growth. It’s a memoir set against a backdrop of war and set to an eclectic soundtrack of Bach, Beethoven, Abba and the traditional music of Afghanistan.
Three years ago, Eddie Ayres was Emma Ayres – a seasoned adventurer, accomplished musician and much-loved broadcaster at ABC Classic FM. In 2014, during a period of personal struggle and depression, Emma quit her job and went to teach cello, viola and double bass at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. It was during her year in Afghanistan that Emma realised she needed to become Eddie and, after returning to Australia, Emma undertook the transition to become a man.
In conversation with Jon Faine at the Wheeler Centre, Eddie will discuss his remarkable life and career in music as well as the travels that have seen him cycling across the remote Taklamakan Desert in China, teaching double bass in Kabul and playing viola in the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Join him for a discussion of culture, adventure and gender.
This event will be Auslan interpreted.
Featuring
Eddie Ayres
Eddie Ayres is a writer, music teacher and broadcaster. He was born on the White Cliffs of Dover and began playing violin when he was eight years old. He studied music in Manchester, Berlin and London, played viola professionally in the UK and Hong Kong and moved to Australia in 2003.
Eddie is the presenter of ABC Classic’s weekend breakfast show.
Eddie has written three books – Cadence, about his journey by bicycle from England to Hong Kong with only a violin for company, Danger Music, describing his year teaching music in Afghanistan, and a children’s book, Sonam and the Silence. He is currently working on a new book about the benefits of music in our lives.
Eddie was born Emma, and transitioned just before his 50th birthday. Better late than never.
Jon Faine
After seven years as a lawyer, Jon entered radio broadcasting in 1989 to produce and present Radio National’s Law Report.
He then presented 3LO’s Morning and Afternoon programs, worked on ABC TV’s Investigators, First Edition and Wise UP and has been presenting the Morning program on 774 ABC Melbourne since 1997.
Known for his provocative and probing debate, quick wit and willingness to ask the stickiest of questions, Jon Faine delivers thought-provoking radio.
Each weekday morning from 8.30am, be it politics, finance, health, law, arts or sport, Jon investigates the issues and stories affecting Melbourne with energy and vigour - all without taking life too seriously.