Dr. Harvey did not consciously desire a “career” in music, rather, he simply always identified as a musician. He describes music as the most ephemeral, uncontrollable and febrile of the artforms.

““The endless, fractal-like levels of possible interpretation are what I find inspiring and constantly stimulating in my work.” As an artform, he says music can stimulate the imagination directly, but also uniquely for each individual.

“I am constantly amazed at the insights that come whether composing, performing, directing groups or collaborating,” said Dr Harvey. “There seems to be no logical explanation for these insights in music, which, given the rise of AI (artificial intelligence), is one of the few remaining arenas that help humans retain their humanness.”

“Nowhere in music is this human insight more apparent than in improvisation and the eureka moments of composition and hermeneutical interpretation.”

For Dr Harvey, teaching and research are intimately entwined. He currently coordinates the inter-disciplinary Experimental Music Ensemble at The Hedberg.

“There are no boundaries in this exciting ensemble, so all student musicians and technicians are welcome, and the results are spectacular and surprising, never boring.”

The Ensemble was founded by his wife Dr Arabella Teniswood-Harvey, Head of Discipline at the Hedberg, and featured in the 2021 Mona Foma summer festival.

He continues to collaborate with Dr Teniswood-Harvey, encouraging young Tasmanian composers, working with legendary improvising trumpeter Scott Tinkler, and recently recording a sonata by young Hobart composer Angus Davison.

The Michael Kieran Harvey Scholarship established in 2006, is one of the richest scholarships for post-graduate composer/performers in the world, and aims to encourage future directions in Australian keyboard art music.

“I know that many young people are inspired to pursue contemporary music and contemporary Australian music due to my encouragement, both directly through my teaching and via my scholarship and by example,” said Dr Harvey.

“I listen to my students intently and do not assume I have all the answers. I also do not limit their aspirations, but give them constructive criticism when asked. To have an open mind, but not so open one’s brains fall out, is what I try to cultivate in my students.”

Dr Harvey’s career has made him a notable figure in both the music scene and in the world of academia. In 1993, he became the first Australian to win a major international piano competition, the Pogorelich International Solo Piano Competition in Pasadena or “the Olympics of piano if you like”, Dr Harvey recalls.

Four years later, he premiered Messiaen’s two-hour Vingts Regards from memory in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. “This experience was a professional personal best,” he said.

“Similarly achieving my PhD in music composition, though even more difficult for me than winning an international piano competition, was deeply transformative.” Dr Harvey has now taken up a philosophy degree at UTAS as part of the Island Project, to: “improve my empathy with the student experience”.

Dr Harvey has worked as a soloist with all Australian symphony orchestras and many dance companies, as well as many overseas orchestras, ensembles and festivals.

He was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (FAHA) in 2020.