In a rare and intimate appearance ahead of his Australian tour later this year, British singer and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier brought his genre-defying musical genius to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, delivering a masterclass that left nearly 600 university and high school students inspired, energised, and rethinking what music can be.

The audience in Verbrugghen Hall was a vibrant mix of jazz performers, pop songwriters, vocalists, composers, and classical instrumentalists, from harp and bass trombone to mandolin. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn directly from someone who has been described as one of the most innovative musicians of the 21st century.

Collier opened the session by using facial expressions and hand signals to communicate musical notes and conduct the audience into a spontaneous vocal performance, layering harmonies and rhythms across the room. The result was a living, breathing symphony, built entirely from the voices of students.

“Jacob’s approach was so intuitive and playful,” said Cianna Walker, a Walbunja and Gumbaynggirr student studying a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Music Practice – Honours).

“As a First Nations artist, I really connected with the idea that music is something shared and experienced together, not just performed. That’s exactly how I’ve grown up making music, with my family and community. It’s always been about connection, not perfection.”

Throughout the session, Collier shared stories from his own musical journey – from his early days as a classical music student to his evolution into a global pop and jazz innovator. He credited his mother, Suzie Collier, a violinist and conductor, as a key influence in nurturing both his creative instincts and innovative approach to teaching.

“She is an incredible musician,” Collier said of his mother to the audience. “But none of the important lessons I learned from her were musical; they were about people, energy and permission.”

He encouraged students to lean into their emotional experiences as a source of musical inspiration.

“As a teacher, as a performer, as a parent: you are only as powerful as you make other people feel,” he told the students. “If you can give people the feeling they matter, and they’re a part of the thing you’re building, then they’ll remember that feeling forever.”

“At the core of Jacob’s work is human connection, which was evident in all aspects of the masterclass,” said Jessica Foreman, a Bachelor of Music (Composition for Creative Industries) student.   

“Despite his immense theoretical understanding of harmony, ultimately his compositional approach to chords is grounded in how they make him feel. This may seem somewhat melodramatic on the surface, but when you think about why we make music as humans – to connect, to express, to feel – it makes a lot of sense.”

Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) student Allegra Hall said Jacob’s excitement for music was infectious.

“It was such a gift to hear Jacob talk and play, especially when we’re all deep in exams. Being reminded of the power of group singing connected me back to my love for choir and musical collaboration.”

Collier offered practical advice on navigating a career in music, including building a creative community and embracing failure as part of the process. Students asked questions about harmony, storytelling through composition, the use of AI in creativity, and how to stay authentic in fast-paced creative industries.

“Seeing a huge musical icon such as Jacob Collier in person and hearing him answer questions was an incredible experience,” Jessica said.

“You can only get so much of an impression of a person through a phone screen; there’s nothing quite like being in the same space as someone you’re inspired by.”

The masterclass concluded outdoors in the Royal Botanic Gardens’ amphitheatre, where Collier invited students to step up and improvise, while he sat among them as part of the audience.