©2025 Gold Coast Eisteddfod | All Rights Reserved.
British born conductor and performer Brian Hurdley has been repeatedly praised for his clarity and effortless authority on the podium. His expressive and incisive interpretations have endeared him to ensembles and audiences alike.
Brian was awarded a scholarship from the Birmingham Conservatorium where he studied Trombone and Euphonium with the legionary Denis Wick and conducting with Adrian Leaper.
He was the recipient of many performance prizes and was the first brass player to be awarded the coveted college concerto prize with his performance of the Horovitz Euphonium Concerto.
Brian performed frequently with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle and was a founding member of the English Tuba Consort.
As Music Director of the Sunlife Band he was awarded the inaugural British Bandsman Magazine award for most innovative programming. Successful partnerships followed with the Williams Fairey Band and The Foden’s Band with over 30 commercial recordings, performances for BBC television Songs of Praise, BBC Radio Festival of Brass, Listen to the Band and Bandstand programs. Brian has conducted many of the worlds famous names in the banding including Black Dyke, Brighouse, Grimethorpe, Cory and a little closer to home, Brisbane Excelsior Band. He is in demand as a conductor, adjudicator and clinician both here and abroad and is currently music director of the Queensland Youth Band.
Brian is a frequent guest conductor at the Brisbane Conservatorium State and Australian Honours Ensemble Program and is the recipient of the Docemus medal for his services to Music Education.
Alisa Jones is a freelance conductor, educator and adjudicator with over 30 years of experience in the music industry. As Head of Curriculum with a focus on Ensemble, Conducting and Pedagogy for Education Queensland, Alisa plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of music education. Her work extends internationally, with extensive travel throughout Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where she conducts, lectures, and works with university students, music colleges, schools, and community ensembles.
Throughout her career, Alisa has held prominent positions in music education and conducting working as a sessional lecturer in Orchestral Conducting at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and is currently the Musical Director of Queensland Wind and Brass. Her guest conducting appearances at esteemed institutions include the Singapore Military Band, the Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra and the Fodens Brass Band, Brighouse and Rastrick Band in England, the University of Illinois Wind Orchestra, the Elder Conservatorium Wind Ensemble, and the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra.
Alisa has been a conductor in residence at the Queensland State Honours Ensemble Program on several occasions and has been the conductor in residence for the Queensland Education's MOST ensemble program. Additionally, she has been involved with the Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony and the Queensland Wind Orchestra.
An active member of the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association since 1992, Alisa has contributed significantly to the professional development of music educators. She presents conducting workshops, professional development sessions, and keynote addresses at various conferences throughout Australia and the UK, including the Maryborough Music Conference, Queensland and National Band and Orchestra Clinics, and the education division of the Royal Northern College of Music.
As an adjudicator, Alisa is in high demand across Australia. She recently served as the official Queensland Fanfare competition adjudicator, showcasing her expertise in evaluating and nurturing musical talent.
Alisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a Diploma of Education in both Classroom and Instrumental Music, and a Master of Music in Conducting. Her broad range of qualifications, combined with her extensive practical experience, positions her as a leading figure in the field of music education and conducting.
Cairns-based Lauren Hannay is a graduate of University of Queensland with double principal studies of Voice and Piano. She completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance at Queensland Conservatorium of Music working with acclaimed singing teacher Margaret Nickson.
Lauren’s early career as a singer encompassed professional music theatre, cantata and oratorio performance (as soprano soloist) and ensemble singing, touring as a member of Brisbane-based vocal quartet, La Cappella.
Lauren is nationally recognised as an accomplished singing teacher and vocal coach. Her particular expertise lies in the integration of sound vocal technique in the choral context. In this capacity she has worked with Sydney Chamber Choir, Sydney Children’s Choir and the Choir of Christchurch St Lawrence. She has been choral clinician for Somerville House Choral festival involving treble and changed-voice choirs encompassing late primary to senior high school ensembles. Her choral conducting experience has also included major works with adult ensembles including Vivaldi Gloria, Faure Requiem, Haydn ‘Nelson’ mass and Rutter Requiem.
In addition to her vocal teaching, Lauren is Director of Choral Music at Cairns State High School where she directs three choirs (middle school treble choir, Young Men’s ensemble and SATB choir Cairns State High Chorale) In 2017, 2019, 2021 and again in 2025 Cairns State High Chorale won the State finals of the Queensland’s CGEN Choral Fanfare competition being awarded the most outstanding secondary choir.
Lauren has had a long association with Gondwana Choirs, where she is co-conductor and pianist of Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir. In October 2019 she conducted the choir with ACO collective at CPAC. Lauren has toured nationally with GICC, the most recent tour being as a featured choir of Festival of Voices in July 2025. She has also toured internationally with the choir to Germany, Slovenia and Vienna and New Zealand. Since its inception in 2013, Lauren was pianist for NCS conducting academy under Director Graeme Morton AM. In 2020, she was associate conductor and pianist for Gondwana Collective with Lyn Williams AM preparing for the New Zealand World Symposium on Choral Music.
Lauren has also presented for ANCA QLD/NT and National Choral School’s ‘Choral ideas symposium in 2018 and 2019 and again for the Gondwana World Choral Festival: Music and Ideas series.
In August 2023, Lauren was the international adjudicator for New Zealand Choral Federation’s The Big Sing National Finale in Auckland
Having trained and performed in many varying styles of theatre and voice, Jackie prides herself on being a teacher with a speciality in cross training Music Theatre and Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal styles powered by her passion for versatile vocalists.
She graduated from the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries in 2013 where she furthered her studies in Theatre and Film. She also graduated from the University of Queensland where she received A Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Drama.
Jackie’s favourite past time is doing as much continuing professional development as she can around Vocal Pedagogy. Forever a student of the art of teaching voice she is a proud VocaLab VET Alumni, qualified Vocal Health First Aider and real voice science nerd.
With experience teaching anywhere from pre-prep to adults, Jackie feels comfortable teaching all ages, and is confident that her lessons will engage, excite and extend each individual student to reach their goals.
Marianne Rigby is a passionate performing arts educator with specialties in singing, choral conducting and drama. Marianne has an Honours Degree in Music from the University of Melbourne, a Drama Degree and Diploma of Education from QUT and has worked in Australia, the UAE, France and Germany as a teacher and performer. Marianne freelances as an adjudicator and workshop clinician, is National President of the Australian National Choral Association and was recently co-chair of ANCA’s national conference, Choralfest 2026. Marianne is thrilled to adjudicate choirs at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and assist singers and conductors to build their skills, confidence and performance artistry.
Dr. Lisa Cheney (she/her) is a classically trained composer of acoustic and acousmatic music, working on Turrbal lands in Brisbane, Australia. Her music communicates through varied styles, which often reflect a fascination with seeking the “dirty-beautiful” through exploration of shadows, impermanence, ambiguity, expression, poeticism, fragility, delicacy, resonant space, pacing, light and dark and atmospheric soundscapes. Cheney's work has been described as 'atmospheres of unfathomable spaciousness' (Partial Durations), 'melodic slivers with plaintive intensity' (The Australian) and 'fantastic and frightening in its detail and colour' (Resonate). Her body of work incorporates orchestra, chamber, voice, acousmatic collaborations, arrangements and works for theatre and ballet.
Cheney has received several accolades, including grants from the Australia-Korea Foundation, the 2017 Art Music Fund, the Silver Harris and Jeff Peck Composition Prize, 2019 Dorian Le Gallienne Composition Award, and was a finalist for Instrumental Work of the Year at the 2018 Art Music Awards for her cello work When We Speak. Her music has been performed in Australia, Europe, and the US. She has worked with leading performers and ensembles including The Southern Cross Soloists, The Australian Voices, Plexus, Syzygy, flautist Jonathan Henderson, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and the Australian Ballet amongst others.
Cheney completed her Master of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, and her PhD in Music Composition at the University of Melbourne under the guidance of Elliott Gyger and Linda Kouvaras. She is also a casual academic at the University of Queensland and a current mentor for the QSO Compose and Australian Young Composer Program.
Cheney is an Associate Represented Artist with the Australian Music Centre.
For more information, please visit: www.lisacheney.com.au
Euan Fistrovic Doidge has amassed an extraordinarily varied range of recent credits. Playing Pirelli in Sweeney Todd for Victorian Opera, Lola in Kinky Boots with Showbiz Christchurch, Maximillian in Candide, again for Victorian Opera (and also remounted with Opera Australia in 2025) after the thrill of being cast as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat has capped off an incredibly busy last few years for Euan. He also enjoyed appearing on screen on the iconic Neighbours and Carols by Candlelight. Previously he played Blaine in the Cruel Intentions National Tour and Fun Home (MTC) as well as playing Sam Wurlitzer in Happy End for Victorian Opera. In 2021 he performed in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in Brisbane and Perth, and played Lewis in the production of Pippen The Musical in Sydney. Euan took centre stage in 2019 playing Tony Manero in GFO’s Saturday Night Fever. This role followed his reprisal as Felicia in the 2018 Australian tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Musical Theatre has been an intrinsic part of Euan’s background starting as a graduate of Patrick Studios Australia under the direction of Andrew Hallsworth. During this year of study, he was cast in his first musical Anything Goes (The Production Company). In 2012 Euan appeared in The Producers (The Production Company), then went on to play Paul San Marco in the Australian cast of A Chorus Line (TML Enterprises) for which he was the youngest ever nominee for the Helpmann Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
From 2012 – 2014 Euan appeared as Nikos/Padamadan in the Australian tour of Legally Blonde (ATG/GFO/Farrelly Prods) and Grease (GFO) in which he understudied the roles of Kenickie and Vince Fontaine, as well as understudying and performing the role of Teen Angel. He was then cast in the dream role of Marius in the Australian tour of Les Miserables (Cameron Mackintosh/Michael Cassel) 2014 – 2016.
During that time he also released his debut Album ‘Let It Sing’, and in 2016 Euan had the great pleasure of playing the role of Felicia/Adam in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and was Lead Singer in Burn The Floor (Norwegian Cruise Lines). On returning to Australia he starred in the Australian tour of Kinky Boots (Michael Cassel) as one of the Angels and covered the role of Lola which he performed many times to great acclaim.
Hailing from the Gold Coast, Max made his theatre debut at nine years old as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz (GFO). As an adult, Max has performed in Mary Poppins (Michael Cassel Group), Sister Act (Crossroads Live), The Wedding Singer (David Venn Enterprises), Hot Shoe Shuffle (David Atkins Enterprises), Funny Girl and West Side Story (The Production Company), as well as Michael Ralph’s SELF, which was nominated for an Australian Dance Award. With The Tap Pack, Max made his West End debut at London’s Peacock Theatre in 2018, also touring with the company to Beijing, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the USA. Most recently, Max played Ted Hanover in Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Well Done Creative).
Hollie is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Her credits include Sister Act (Crossroads Live), both the 2018 and 2024 tours of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show (Crossroads Live), Mary Poppins (Michael Cassel), The Wedding Singer (DVE), Shrek the Musical (GFO), Bring It On: The Musical (DVE), and the 60th anniversary production of My Fair Lady, directed by Dame Julie Andrews (Opera Australia). Hollie is also an accomplished improviser, having performed across Australia and internationally with the musical comedy troupe Impromptunes.
Jeff is the percussion director at Brisbane State High School and The Gap State High School. He services both North and South Brisbane Metropolitan Regions as a Percussion Curriculum Project Officer. Jeff’s percussion ensembles are 7-time Australian national champions and have been awarded the Erica Brindley Trophy at Queensland’s biannual music festival Fanfare on 2 occasions. In addition to his role as an educator, Jeff enjoys composing and arranging percussion ensemble music for Rhythmscape and Prepared Sounds. Jeff is the drummer in Brisbane-based jazz group, The Green Street Band, but has also worked with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as a classical percussionist.
Melissa Buchholz trained at the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (now University of Southern Queensland), graduating with the Award for Best Performer and the Dean’s Trophy for Solfege. She holds Licentiates in both piano and recorder from Trinity College London, as well as a Fellowship, and achieved her AMusA with distinction.
In 2023, Melissa was appointed to the international examining panel of Trinity College London, a role that takes her around the world assessing musicians and supporting high standards in music education.
With a teaching career spanning more than 30 years, Melissa specialises in piano and woodwind and has guided students across a wide range of instruments to advanced levels. She has performed at the iconic Sydney Opera House on multiple occasions, toured the UK, and was honoured as Young Citizen of the Year for her contributions to music in the community.
Melissa has directed large-scale musical events and regularly presents workshops across rural and regional Australia, supporting community music-making and developing emerging performers. As a performer, she appears in a variety of ensembles and has an extensive background in music theatre, with credits including The Boy from Oz, We Will Rock You, Kinky Boots and The Pirates of Penzance, among others.
In recent years she has toured with Vanessa Quai, Julee-anne Bell, and the touring production Queens of Song. She is also the founder of MB Backing Tracks, which provides high-quality accompaniment tracks to clients around the world.
Ashleigh Kohler is a highly experienced and professionally trained performer with over 20 years in the entertainment industry, specialising in dance, singing, and acting. Originally from Gold Coast, Australia she began training at the age of four and went onto study extensively in styles including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Commercial. Her classical training under the mentorship of Prudence Bowen, earned her Distinctions in every RAD Ballet exam through to Advanced 2. Ashleigh was also awarded an Associate Diploma in Performing Arts (Drama) from Trinity College London and Dux of Dance for her academic and performance excellence.
Her professional career began in 2014 with Royal Caribbean International, where she completed four consecutive contracts, including the original cast of Sequins and Feathers aboard Quantum of the Seas. In 2018, she expanded her international experience with a contract at Disneyland Paris while based in England. Ashleigh returned to Quantum of the Seas in 2021, joining Royal Caribbean's first cruise to resume service post-pandemic.
Most recently, Ashleigh performed with Holland America Line and RWS on four Grand Voyages from 2022 to 2024, performing 15 full-length production shows while traveling through the South Pacific, Africa, South America, and Antarctica. These shows ranged from Country, Swing, Disco, Ballroom, Musical Theatre Review and also Irish.
Ashleigh also brings valuable experience as a Talent Manager and is deeply passionate about mentoring the next generation of performers. Through teaching and adjudicating at competitions across Australia, she shares her industry insight, performance expertise, and unwavering love for the performing arts.
Claire grew up in the coastal town of Kiama NSW and moved to Sydney aged 14 and then went on to graduate with Honors at The Australian Ballet School’s Advanced Diploma course.
Claire then joined The Australian Ballet under the directorship of Ross Stretton and danced many corps and soloist roles.
Moving north she became a Soloist with The Queensland Ballet and later Ballet Mistress under the directorship of Francois Klaus.
Claire has had the honour of working with such names as Natalia Makarova, David McAllister, Li Cunxin, Ross Stretton, Graeme Murphy, Stanton Welch, Francois Klaus, Paul Boyd, Natalie Weir, Noah Gelber, Greg Horsman, Mario Schroeder, Young Soon Hue-Simon and Nils Christie.
Claire has a Certificate Four in Training and Assessment; and a Diploma of Dance Teaching Studies (DDTS) through the Royal Academy of Dance London.
Claire has taught as a freelance teacher for various schools and companies including The Australian Ballet education program, Queensland Ballet, Texas Ballet theatre, Texas Ballet studio company, Sydney Dance company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Expressions Dance and is currently teacher and coordinator for the pre-professional program at Queensland Ballet Academy. Claire has also staged and rehearsed a wide variety of repertoire from numerous classical and contemporary choreographers.
Gabriel Rogers is a multidisciplinary Australian artist with experience within and around the dance community both nationally and internationally. Gabriel began his dance education at the Australian Dance Performance Institute in Brisbane. After graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Dance of Professional Dance (CUA51520) he began training at the University of Music and Performing Arts- Mannheim, Germany, where he studied his Masters of Fine Arts (Dance). Within the 3 years, the training included classical ballet, contemporary dance and pedagogic dance studies. Once graduating Gabriel Joined the Badisches StaatsTheater Karlsruhe. During these formative years in Germany, Gabriel worked with multiple esteemed and up and coming choreographers and coaches. He began his choreographic journey while in the company. Since returning to Australia, Gabriel has gone on to perform in various ballet galas, choreograph independent works and guest teach for multiple ballet companies/initiatives.
Gabriels passion lays within passing on dance knowledge that cultivates curiosity and growth in a safe, self expressive environment.
Robyn has been a music teacher in Queensland since moving from South Australia in 1984.
She originally taught in schools on the Gold Coast before a year in the Northern Territory and then ending up in Gladstone in 1990 where she taught Classroom Music and was the Instrumental Coordinator for her school until retirement in 2020. Robyn also helped set up the GEM (Gladstone Enrichment Through Music) Choir initiative, liaising and coordinating students from all local schools culminating in a workshops and performances with Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Originally starting on flute and vocals, Robyn is now a multi-instrumentalist whose experience encompasses playing in orchestras, concert bands, stage bands and jazz bands as well as regularly playing in the local Carols by Candlelight band and being a pit orchestra member for musical and theatre productions.
Robyn received an Australia Day award in 2021 for services to Arts and Culture in the Gladstone region.
Since retirement Robyn has become more involved in tutoring at various musical workshops and has also been able to enjoy her vocal passion by stepping into the role of Vocal Coach for the local Community and Combined Schools Musicals as well as playing in their orchestras.
Jill has gained a LTCL with Trinity College and a Dip A.S.C.A with the Australian Speech Communication Association. Along with these qualifications, she has much experience resulting from running her own studio for over 25 years. Her aim has been to grow and nurture students’ skills, confidence and the enjoyment of performance.
Her experience extends to many areas of speech and drama. As well as teaching privately, she prepared both junior and senior choirs for choral speech as well as adjudicated debates and public speaking for the NSW Dept of Education and Training and Rostrum and taught communication and self-confidence classes to adults.
Jill has adjudicated eisteddfods at Leeton, Taree, Orange, Cowra, Goulburn, Wollongong, Wellington, Eisteddfod on the Bay in Melbourne, Maryborough, Narrabri, Shoalhaven and Gaul in Sri Lanka. She is also an Examiner for the Australian Speech & Communication Association.
On a personal level She enjoys involvement with the local School of Arts performing in local productions.
Jess is a sought-after voice, dialect and text coach. She has worked internationally for major theatre companies including The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Shaw Festival Theatre Canada, Sydney Theatre Company, and Bell Shakespeare, and on international musicals including The Lion King, Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and Matilda. She is Australia’s leading voice and dialect coach for children. Jess trained in Voice Studies at Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She is also a Speech and Drama tutor and adjudicator, a Drama and English teacher, and a Speech Pathologist. She has a reputation for rigorous, nurturing, joyful work that brings out the best in every student and allows them to thrive.
Alex McPherson is one of Brisbane's busiest cello teachers and performers. He began playing cello at the age of five, completed a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland, then a Masters in Music Performance from the University of Tasmania. Alex maintains a busy teaching schedule, with two schools and home teaching. He has taught students from 3 to 83, and all skill levels. Alex has toured both in Australia and overseas, and has played in orchestras and string quartets from Hobart to Cairns. Although he adores playing in Symphony Orchestras (such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Pops Orchestra) String Quartet playing always holds first place in his heart.
Mark Sullivan is a Music Education Consultant working nationally to enhance local Instrumental Music Programs, while supporting teachers to improve their pedagogy and teaching practice.
During a 50 year career, he has initiated innovative developments in music education for primary and secondary schools, directed and managed highly successful school and community orchestras in Queensland and Washington State and supervised the training of future music teachers. He has also lectured extensively at tertiary level, presented at conferences, published many professional articles and designed and implemented music program evaluations.
Throughout his career Mark has served as an adjudicator at interstate festivals in Perth, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide, as well as the Queensland Festival of Music, Fanfare, the Catholic Colleges Music Festival, the Brisbane School Bands Festival. He has also had the pleasure of supporting the work of teachers and eisteddfod committees in much of regional Queensland.
Mark was the recepient of the the ASG, State and National Inspirational Teaching Awards in 2010 and the ABODA Outstanding Ensemble Director’s Award.
After serving twenty years as the Director of Instrumental Music at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Mark retired with a distinguished record of achievements in ensemble direction, group and private instrumental instruction, policy, curriculum and program development, physical and human resource management, large event management and tour leadership.
Currently, Mark is the string program coordinator, violin teacher and string orchestra director at the Young Conservatorium, Griffith University. He conducts both string and symphony orchestra workshops, and SHEP programs across the state and is in constant demand as a specialist instrumental music consultant, orchestra director, adjudicator, visiting clinician, program evaluator, conference presenter and mentor.
Celia is a strings specialist who enjoys working from beginner to professional levels. She has explored the Colourstrings Method for more than 30 years both in Australia and in Finland, and holds international accreditation. As well as in her private studio, Celia teaches at Fairholme College in Toowoomba and is an examiner for the AMEB and an adjudicator. She has played violin with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the State Orchestra of Victoria, amongst other professional ensembles and conducts youth string orchestras around Australia for summer schools and string camps. In 2022 she was awarded the AUSTA state award for Queensland (shared) and in 2025 she received an Order of Australia Medal for service to music.
Originally from Tweed Heads, Keane trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and has since built a career across Australia and internationally, performing in both large-scale commercial productions and concert settings.
Most recently, he starred as Cal in the international premiere of Titanique (Michael Cassel Group). His theatre credits include the 50th Anniversary Tour of The Rocky Horror Show, where he covered Frank N Furter, understudying Jason Donovan and Olivier Award winner David Bedella; Tick in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (MWE); We Will Rock You (GFO); and The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour (Opera Australia/Handa Opera).
Keane toured internationally for several years with The Ten Tenors, performing in theatres, stadiums, and concert halls worldwide. Appearances include NBC’s The Today Show, Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure, and the UEFA Cup Opening Ceremony in Warsaw.
His recordings with The Ten Tenors include Wish You Were Here—which reached #1 on the ARIA Classical Crossover Chart and #3 on the U.S. Billboard Classical Chart—as well as Our Christmas Wish, Love Is in the Air, On Broadway, and Double Platinum. In recognition of the group’s contribution to the Australian music industry, Keane, along with fellow members and alumni of The Ten Tenors, was honoured with the Keys to the City by the Brisbane Lord Mayor in 2025.
Brendan Collins is the Composer-in-residence at Barker College and the Chief Brass Examiner, AMEB NSW. For 11 years he was the Associate Principal Trombonist with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and in 2024 he was elected to the AMEB Board. He has also served as the composer-in-residence with the Sydney Youth Orchestra and is a fully represented artist with the Australian Music Centre.
He is the inaugural winner of the Open Brass Solo section of the Sydney eisteddfod and performed the Rimsky-Korsakov Trombone Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle while still a school student.
He has performed in many parts of the world as a soloist and with the Australian Youth Orchestra.
He has many works published by Wirripang Publications including the bestseller, The Piano Collection and Great Southern Land Trumpet Collection
His compositions are frequently performed throughout the world and his music is broadcast regularly on ABC ClassicFM. His band and solo works are regularly selected as test pieces for National and State competitions and in 2010 his composition for concert band, ‘William of Orange March’ won first prize in the NSW School Band Festival composition competition. He currently has 18 compositions on the AMEB syllabuses.
His complete works for trumpet have been released on the CD ‘Great Southern Land’, recorded in the USA by soloist Phillip Chase Hawkins on the Navona Label. Other performers to record Collins’ works include Clement Saunier (France), Jose Chafer (Spain), Alex Wilson, Richard Stoelzel, Rex Richardson (USA) Michael Keiren Harvey, Susan Collins, Jeanell Carigan, Matthew Van Emmerik (Australia) and George Curran (Principal Bass Trombone with the NY Philharmonic).
Debbie comes to us with a wealth of experience.
Having trained at The Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, Debbie has also studied in Russia, London, Europe & America.
With a passion for Musical Theatre, Debbie made her professional debut in the musical "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum".
Debbie has been a Mentor for the Royal Academy of Dance & has trained many student teachers to obtain their Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate.
Formally the Principal of a Studio in Sydney for 10 years & also a former Principal for over 20 years on The Gold Coast, Debbie has taught in Melbourne, VIC and currently Freelancing on The Gold Coast. QLD
She regularly has been invited to Guest Teach in Japan where she is the Patron of a Ballet School in Okayama.
Debbie has adjudicated many Eisteddfods, including Hamilton, Broken Hill, Ipswich, The Melbourne Performing Arts Challenge, Starbound Competition, ATOD National Finals, “The School Aerobic, Dance and Glee National Australian Championship”, and the Brisbane Eisteddfod.
Debbie has enjoyed adjudicating the Young People with Disability sections at the GCE for the past couple of years and loves to share her passion for Performance & encourage the up & coming youth of tomorrow.
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