Tania de Jong

Tania Karen de Jong AM[1] is an Australian soprano, social entrepreneur, businesswoman, motivational speaker, and event producer. She is the Founder of Creative Innovation Global, Creative Universe, Creativity Australia, Dimension5, Music Theatre Australia, Pot-Pourri, and The Song Room, and co-founder of Mind Medicine Australia. De Jong was named as one of the "100 Most Influential People in Psychedelics" globally by Psychedelic Invest in 2021.[2]

Tania de Jong
AM
BornArnhem, the Netherlands
OriginMelbourne, Australia
Occupation(s)Soprano; social entrepreneur
Instrument(s)Voice (soprano)
Years active1995 – present
LabelsPot Pourri
Websitewww.taniadejong.com

Early life
Her maternal grandmother Slawa Duldig kept her folding umbrella secret until she had secured a patent.[3]


De Jong was born in Arnhem, the Netherlands, to her Dutch father and Austrian mother, both of whom escaped the Holocaust.[4] Her parents met at the 1961 Maccabiah Games in Israel.[5] De Jong's mother Eva de Jong-Duldig was a Dutch national tennis champion, a Federation Cup player for Australia, and a three-time quarter-finalist at the Wimbledon Championships.[6] She also won gold medals at the 1957 Maccabiah Games and the 1961 Maccabiah Games in Israel.[7][8][9]

De Jong's maternal grandfather, Karl Duldig, a Polish refugee living in Vienna who escaped the Holocaust with his family, ultimately landing in Australia, was a Vienna-trained sculptor. Her maternal grandmother, Slawa Duldig, also trained as a sculptor in Vienna, and invented the world's first modern folding umbrella.[6] Her maternal grandparents’ former home in Melbourne's Malvern East now operates as a museum named the 'Duldig Studio'.[10]

De Jong and her parents moved from the Netherlands to Melbourne, Australia, when de Jong was one year old.[11]

Academic life

De Jong graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Law (Honours).[12] She then graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts with a Graduate Diploma in Opera and Music Theatre, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Music (Opera and Voice). She also attended college in the United States for a year, on a tennis scholarship.[13]

Career

Soprano

Aged 14, de Jong was advised by a friend not to undertake singing lessons. She nevertheless auditioned for the chorus of her school's performance of Oklahoma at age 17, and was cast in the lead role.[14]

As a soprano, de Jong has performed as a soloist with a number of orchestras at the Victoria State Opera, and across 40 countries,[15][16][17] including at the Sydney Opera House, Seoul Arts Centre, and Opera under the Stars.[13] De Jong has collaborated with soprano Antoinette Halloran, singer Craig Macdonald, composer and pianist Joe Chindamo, and concert pianist Rebecca Chambers.[18]

In May 2022, de Jong produced a musical named Driftwood, based on her mother's memoir of her family.[19] It premiered in Melbourne.[20]

Business career

De Jong is the Founder of Creative Innovation Global, Creative Universe (transformational leadership programs to inspire people to find their voice, and to bring greater wellbeing, engagement, and innovation into organisations), Creativity Australia, Dimension5, Music Theatre Australia, Pot-Pourri, and The Song Room (which has provided access to creative learning for 250,000 disadvantaged Australian children), and co-founder of Mind Medicine Australia.[21][22][23][24] De Jong is known to encourage creative innovation whilst highlighting the interests of marginalised and disadvantaged Australians through her various enterprises.[6][25][26]

Event producer

As an event producer, de Jong has hosted nine events focused on "Creative Innovation" in Melbourne, Australia.[27] She is known for advocating for policy change and unity across the business, education, industry, community, and creative sectors during times of anticipated social disruption and change known otherwise as disruptive innovation.[17][28]

Politics

De Jong is a member of the United Australia Party.[29]

Discography
  • 1995: Rhythm of Life – Pot-Pourri[30]
  • 1997: Something Familiar!, Something Peculiar – Pot-Pourri[31]
  • 1999: This is the Moment – Pot-Pourri[32]
  • 2001: Friends for Life – Pot-Pourri[32]
  • 2003: Chanson d'Amour – Pot-Pourri[32]
  • 2004: Soundsations – Dorje and Diva (Tania de Jong & Chris Walker)[33]
  • 2006: Nella Fantasia – Pot-Pourri[32]
  • 2012: Silver – Pot-Pourri[32]
  • 2015: Heaven on Earth – Tania de Jong[34][35]
  • 2017: Flying Free – Tania de Jong[35]
  • 2019: The Breezes at Dawn Have Secrets to Tell – Tania de Jong[36]
  • 2020: Solitary Harmony – Tania de Jong and Anthony Barnhill[13]

Achievements and awards

De Jong was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the arts as a performer and entrepreneur and through the establishment and development of music and arts enrichment programs for schools and communities.[37][38] She was named in The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence awards in the Arts, Culture and Sport category in 2018.[39] She was also named in Richtopia's list of Top 100 Most Influential Australian Entrepreneurs.[40]

Awards
Order of Australia
  • 1996: Churchill Fellowship[41]
  • 1998: "Outstanding Individual Contribution to Australian Culture" award[42][16]
  • 2000: Inducted into the AGSE Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame at Swinburne University[41]
  • 2001: Telstra Business Women's Awards[43]
  • 2005: Accessibility Award in The Melbourne Awards[44][21]
  • 2006: Ernst and Young Australian Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award[45][46]
  • 2007: Member of the Order of Australia[47]
  • 2009: Brainlink Woman of Achievement 2009.[48]
  • 2012: Top Social Innovators[49]
  • 2013: Top Social Innovators Creativity Australia [50]
  • 2013–2016: Anthill Top Social Innovations 'Creativity Australia and the With One Voice program[51]
  • 2016 Melbourne Award for contribution to the community – Creativity Australia[52]
  • 2016: Impact 25 Awards for the social sector's most influential people and positive impact [53]
  • 2017: Ethical Enterprise Award 2017
  • 2018: Finalist, Third Sector Awards Social Entrepreneur of the Year[54][55]
  • 2018: Number 33 of the Top Most Influential Australian Entrepreneurs[56]
  • 2019: Named in the 100 Most Influential Women in Australia[40]
  • 2019: Award For Meritorious Service to the Community by The Hon Linda Dessau AC at the Victorian Multicultural Awards For Excellence[57]
  • 2021: "100 Most Influential People in Psychedelics" globally by Psychedelic Invest in 2021.[2]

References
  1. "de JONG, Tania Karen". It's an Honour. Australian Government. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  2. "100 Most Influential People in Psychedelics".
  3. Simon Leo Brown (9 February 2018). "Folding umbrella's 'flirtatious' history never forgotten by family of Karl and Slawa Duldig". ABC News. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  4. Brown, Malcolm (6 May 2012). "Community singing project aims to leave nation in top voice". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  5. "Driftwood The Musical – A story on Eva de Jong-Duldig". Tennis Victoria. 28 March 2022.
  6. Evans, Kathy (15 March 2014). "Soprano on a mission; Can lyrics work with classical music? Tania de Jong is about to find out". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  7. "U.S. Gains Four Gold Medals In Maccabiah Games Swimming; Abramson, Zakim and Misses Miller and Chesneau Score – Herman Sets Mark in Retaining Decathlon Crown". The New York Times.
  8. "U.S. SQUAD VICTOR IN 16 MORE FINALS; Gubner and Savitt Triumph as Maccabiah Games End". The New York Times.
  9. "U.S. Advances in Women's Tennis; DUTCH LOSE, 3–0, IN QUARTER-FINALS Misses Hard, Caldwell and Moffitt Score Two-Set Triumphs at London Miss Hard Halts Surge Mrs. Jones Sidelined QUARTER-FINAL ROUND". The New York Times.
  10. "Duldig Studio". Duldig Studio.
  11. Veldman-Tentori, Renee (20 April 2012). "Meet Tania de Jong". Dutch Australian. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  12. David Fossas (20 October 2019). "Balancing the Grind With Tania de Jong, Founder of Creative Universe & Creative Innovation Global". Balance The Grind.
  13. Robson, Terry (29 April 2021). "Tania de Jong talks music, philanthropy and mental health – WellBeing".
  14. Wilmoth, Peter (12 November 2013). "One Voice, Many Stories". The Weekly Review. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  15. Bonyhady, Nick (7 September 2020). "Deputy PM says BLM protests caused Victoria's second wave before backing down". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  16. "CQUniNEWS – Tania de Jong – biographical details". CQ University News.
  17. "An interview with the founder of Creative Universe, Tania De Jong AM". Small Business Big Marketing. 29 May 2012.
  18. "Tania de Jong | Similar Artists". AllMusic.
  19. Miller, Nick (8 May 2022). "The moving story of three generations of women that unfolds from an umbrella". The Age. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  20. "Driftwood – The Musical". driftwoodthemusical.com.au. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  21. "CQUniNEWS – Tania de Jong – biographical details". uninewsarchive.cqu.edu.au.
  22. "A 'wonder drug' for all ages: choirs hit the right note in facilities". Australian Ageing Agenda. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  23. "Subscribe". The Australian. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  24. "Investors pile in on psychedelic drugs". Australian Financial Review. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  25. "Creative innovation". ABC Radio National. 7 September 2010.
  26. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: How singing together changes the brain: Tania de Jong AM at TEDxMelbourne. YouTube.
  27. "Ci2019 · HUMAN INTELLIGENCE 2.0 (A Collective Future. How will we manage the transition?)". www.creativeinnovationglobal.com.au. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  28. Christensen, Clayton M.; Raynor, Michael E.; McDonald, Rory (1 December 2015). "What Is Disruptive Innovation?". Harvard Business Review (December 2015).
  29. Wilson, Cameron. "United Australia Party has sent out an email to members promoting DRIFTWOOD THE MUSICAL because well-known soprano Tania de Jong is in it". Twitter.
  30. Pot-Pourri – Rhythm Of Life, Discogs, retrieved 22 May 2022
  31. Something Familiar! Something Peculiar!, retrieved 22 May 2022
  32. "Tania de Jong | Credits". AllMusic.
  33. "Singing for the Dalai Lama". ABC Radio National. 10 December 2009.
  34. "Heaven On Earth – Tania de Jong | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  35. "Tania de Jong Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  36. "Tania de Jong". Q+A. 3 September 2020.
  37. "Tania de Jong". Saxton Speakers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  38. "de JONG, Tania Karen". It's an Honour. Australian Government. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  39. Patten, Sally (17 October 2018). "Women of Influence 2018 winner fights for recognition of Indigenous Australians". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  40. "Top 100 Australian Entrepreneurs 2018: From Melanie Perkins to Mike Cannon-Brookes, These Are the Most Influential Aussie Entrepreneurs". Richtopia. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  41. "Tania de Jong". Q+A. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  42. "Speakers Trainers Entertainers Bringing Audiences to their feet!". Ovations. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  43. "Trove". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  44. "Tania de Jong". SpeakerHub. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  45. "Sing in the shower: Tania de Jong's tips to be more creative in business". SmartCompany. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  46. "Tania de Jong receives the Entrepreneur of the Year Award" – via www.youtube.com.
  47. Melbourne, National Foundation for Australian Women and The University of. "de Jong, Tania – Woman – The Australian Women's Register". www.womenaustralia.info.
  48. "BrainLink's Woman of Achievement Award winner announced". 3 November 2009.
  49. "Tania de Jong AM · Singer, Entertainer, Speaker & Entrepreneur". www.taniadejong.com. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  50. "Tania de Jong AM · Singer, Entertainer, Speaker & Entrepreneur". www.taniadejong.com. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  51. "Tania de Jong AM on Australian Leadership: "Let's find leaders who aspire to change the world..."". Australian Leadership and Optimism. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  52. "Melbourne Award 2016 Winners – Contribution to Community by a Community Organisation". Creativity Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  53. "Impact 25 2016 Winner | Tania de Jong". impact25-probonoaust.
  54. "Accolades flood in for Aussie singing social entrepreneur! Tania de Jong AM". Creativity Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  55. "Finalists announced for Third Sector Awards 2018". 30 August 2018.
  56. "Tania de Jong AM". AFR Women of Influence.
  57. "2019 Multicultural Awards for Excellence recipients". Victorian Multicultural Commission. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
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