Phillipa Safey was born in New Zealand where she studied applied mathematics at Massey University before moving to Australia to study accompanying and chamber music at the Victorian College of the Arts - in turn followed by a period of study of languages and lieder in England and Germany. She has worked as a pianist and vocal coach with the Victoria State Opera, Chamber Made Opera and with leading choral groups in Melbourne. Whether performing with instrumentalists or singers, she is equally at home on the concert platform and in the recording studio.