Elena Davidovna Kats-Chernin, born on 4 November 1957 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a composer and pianist. She began her musical education at the Sobinov Conservatory and Gnessin State Musical College in Moscow before migrating to Australia in 1975. Kats-Chernin's career took off with her composition Clocks for Ensemble Modern in 1993. After returning to Australia, she composed several operas, ballets, and concertos, collaborating with notable ensembles such as the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Symphony. Her ballet Wild Swans, a collaboration with choreographer Meryl Tankard, became one of her most celebrated works. Kats-Chernin's compositions have been featured in significant events, including the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She has won numerous awards, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to the performing arts.
