Candace Kruger is a Yugambeh yarrabilginngunn (song woman) and proud Kombumerri (Gold Coast) and Ngugi (Moreton Island) Aboriginal woman.

Candace is the founder and director of the Yugambeh Youth Choir and author of Yugambeh Talga: Music Traditions of the Yugambeh People (2005). Candace’s Master’s Research Thesis ‘In the Bora Ring: Yugambeh Language and Song Project’ and doctoral study ‘Yarrabil Girrebbah Singing Indigenous language alive’ are investigations in the fields of Indigenous musicology, Indigenous studies and Anthropology. Candace’s research captures the songwoman’s work, contributes to the development of Indigenous methodologies, and demonstrates one way in which an Aboriginal community are reconstructing Aboriginal knowledge for sustainability and legacy outcomes. Candace’s co-composed piece ‘Morning Star and Evening Star’, which incorporations a Yugambeh songline community narrative, is one example of this work and is the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Online Orchestra 2021 piece.

Candace has taught classroom music in both Primary and Secondary schools for over 25 years, including Director of Music at Knox Grammar Preparatory School (NSW), Prince Alfred College (SA), A. B. Paterson College (QLD) and The Southport School (QLD).