
Liz Van Dort started her singing career as a child soloist in the Australian Childrens' Choir, touring and performing on local TV shows. As a teen, she then studied classical singing intensively, performing in choral groups and classical singing competitions. At 18 and needing orthodontic treatment for severe TMJ, she was forced to take time away from classical singing training, and went to university to study social anthropology and archaeology.
Finding her way back to singing again, she switched to rock and pop, performing in local bands and theatre productions, and doing voiceover work. She became interested in the early 1990s grunge and experimental scene in Melbourne, when a boyfriend played bass in a popular Australian grunge band. She also sang with local funk band 'What the Funk' and rock outfit 'Next Best Thing'.
In the mid 1990s Liz formed ambient music duo Faraway with her then partner, British musician Harry Williamson, the youngest son of acclaimed British novelist Henry Williamson, who was heavily involved with the 70s prog rock scene and is best known for his collaborations with the band Gong, former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips and for having a Genesis song named after him.
Part of the explosion of ambient and experimental music popular at that time, Faraway's unusual sound was likened to that of Massive Attack, Dead Can Dance, Enigma and Deep Forest, and the duo were popular throughout Europe and the US, performing in the UK and at Glastonbury Festival. Faraway released music on the British Resurgence label and French label Prikosnovénie. Harry and Liz also made an appearance on fundraising CD 'Nuclear Waste', which featured Sting.
Liz's voice was commended by Peter Gabriel at Real World studios, and by Tubular Bells engineer Simon Heyworth who worked with them on 'Nuclear Waste'.
Harry Williamson wrote that "...having perfect pitch and vocal control, Liz has the rare ability to precisely duplicate a vocal line multiple times and carefully perfect it. She is also an expert with harmonies and layering her voice. She's a dream to work with in the recording studio."
Returning to her home in Melbourne, Australia, Liz stepped away from the music industry after giving birth to her son, who was born prematurely and underwent some serious surgical procedures. She built a career in digital media and communications, leading teams managing large-scale corporate websites, working on community campaigns for local charities and managing websites and communications for some of her film and music industry connections, while raising her son as a single parent.
Liz has continued to guest record vocals for other artists, recording music theatre soundtracks and occasional compilation tracks, such as the 'Lightwaves' and 'Effleuremont' compilations released in the EU. She sometimes contributes her voice to TV and film soundtracks and occasionally performs in Melbourne.