Peter Rutherford is a highly regarded musical director, composer, and voice teacher whose international career spans Australasia, London, New York, and Europe. His extensive credits as a Musical Director include both Australian and international productions of A Christmas Carol, Nine, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (MD), Jagged Little Pill (Australasian Musical Supervisor/MD), School of Rock (Vocal Coach/AMD), Matilda The Musical, Beyond Desire, A Little Touch of Chaos, On the 20th Century, A Little Night Music, My Fair Lady, Little Women, The Hatpin, LoveBites, Sing On Through Tomorrow, and many more. He has also served as Associate Musical Director for Annie, Cats, Jekyll & Hyde, and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
As a composer, Peter has co-written large-scale theatrical works, including The Hatpin, LoveBites, and A Little Touch of Chaos with James Millar, as well as Dangerous and The Lyrebird’s Voice with Jayde Kirchert. The most recent might be best described as a ‘Jukebox Opera’. He has been fortunate enough to have his works staged across Australia, New York, London, and beyond, earning critical and award-winning acclaim. He has also produced three albums featuring his compositions. He regularly orchestrates arrangements for publicity events and television, such as Carols By Candlelight.
Peter’s expertise as a Voice Specialist has found him in demand on major productions such as Hamilton, Hadestown, Miss Saigon, & Juliet, Once, West Side Story, Come Rain or Come Shine, and School of Rock. Most recently, he coached the singing for the upcoming feature film Moana.
A two-time recipient of the Jeanne Pratt Artist in Residence at Monash University, Peter is also a dedicated member of the Music Theatre faculty at the VCA, University of Melbourne, where he continues to mentor the next generation of performers. He is a sought-after repetiteur, musical director and coach for festivals, concerts, and industry events.
His research combines multi-disciplinary approaches to pedagogical frameworks for the teaching of music theatre performance skills, particularly singing.
