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Central Queensland based Music Educator, Jeanette Douglas, has been associated with school and community bands for more than fifty years as either a musician or a conductor. Following almost 30 years as an Instrumental Teacher with Education Queensland, Jeanette now pursues her passion for music and music education through ensemble workshops, adjudication and professional development for other instrumental music teachers in both the state and private sectors throughout Queensland. Since 2016, Jeanette has been appointed as Musical Director for major musical productions by the Rockhampton Performing Arts Centre, including Wicked, Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia. In 2015, Jeanette established Capricornia Winds and Capricornia Academy Band, both flourishing and active community wind bands in Rockhampton. In 2018 Jeanette received a Queensland Life Membership of ‘The Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association’ in recognition of her outstanding service to Queensland, through her career in music teaching and ensemble direction.
Jacob Enoka is a sought after freelance multi-percussionist who performs regularly with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Performing with Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria, Jacob has worked alongside Queensland Ballet, Australian Ballet, Opera Queensland, Opera Australia, Bolshoi Ballet, Paris Opera and Ballet, Royal Ballet and with artists Andrea Bocelli, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Folds, Simone Young, Alondra De La Parra, Eric Banna and more. Passionate about local chamber music, Jacob is a core member of Ensemble Q, and is frequently involved with Ensemble Trivium and Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.
Jacob has performed in festivals including the Brisbane Festival, Cairns Festival and most notably, the Australian Festival of Chamber music wherein he performed several Australian and World Premieres.
Jacob is an avid educator, having presented workshops and professional development for Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Education Queensland, and Queensland Youth Orchestras. He is an adjudicator in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and tutors across several Greater Brisbane schools as well as the University of Queensland’s School of Music.
Jacob graduated with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Performance from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in 2017, where in his final year he performed Joseph Schwantner’s Percussion Concerto with the Conservatorium Wind Orchestra.
WARWICK TYRRELL is one of Australia’s most accomplished and inspirational musicians.
Highlights of his extraordinary career include holding the position of Principal Trombonist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for three years, Outright Winner of the International Trombone Competition 1988 and First Prize Winner in the 1984 ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition. He is reputed to be the Youngest Principal Player ever appointed to an Australian full time professional orchestra (as an 18 year old with the Adelaide Symphony) and has been a concerto soloist in South Africa, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Japan with The London Philharmonic and all over Australia with the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, Tasmanian and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras. Warwick also recorded concertos for ABC Classics CD release – the only trombonist ever to do so with Australia’s premier Classical Music Recording Label.
In addition to his trombone accolades, Warwick is a trained singer / actor and after years at the top of his game, he left to work full time for three years in the Australian touring productions of Cabaret and Jolson, singing alongside TV personalities and Pop stars Tina Arena, Lisa McCune and Todd McKenny.
More recently Warwick turned to conducting to help a community band rebuild and he is now a vibrant and inspirational conductor, passionately encouraging others in their path to excellence.
He has recently gained a Masters in Conducting from Sydney University. Whilst there he was awarded the Peter Davidson Memorial Scholarship – at $25,000 it is surely one of Australia’s most prestigious!
Warwick has conducted for the Queensland Symphony in regional Qld, as well as compering and conducting education concerts for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He is a charismatic communicator with audiences of all ages and has successfully run large subscription based themed concert series to an 800 strong subscription audience.
Currently Warwick is the Musical Director of Sydney Male Choir – a highly accomplished group of singers who recently had great success on the TV show Australia’s Got Talent as well as producing a highly entertaining annual Gala concert in the Sydney Town Hall with an audience up to 1800. In the first AGT televised round, they brought many in the audience to tears with a moving rendition of You Are So Beautiful To Me. They went on to rock the audience in the Semi Finals with an energetic medley of Queen’s most famous chart-stoppers… We Will Rock You / Another One Bites The Dust / We Are The Champions!
Warwick Adeney was born into a large family of violinists and trained at Queensland Conservatorium alongside three of his siblings. There he learnt with Dr Anthony Doheny, was a member of the Ambrosian Quartet, and emerged as the Gold Medal graduate of 1984.
He joined Queensland Theatre Orchestra under Georg Tintner, and rose to the concertmastership in 1989. During the years of Anthony Camden’s musical oversight, Warwick Adeney played many solos, including the memorable Lark Ascending with Sir Neville Marriner, and directed many concerts.
In 2001, the amalgamation of orchestras in Queensland occurred and Warwick Adeney served (initially as co-concertmaster with Alan Smith) under conductor Michael Christie and then Johannes Fritzsch, and now exults in the glorious reign of Alondra de la Parra. Over the years Warwick Adeney has continued to enjoy the privileged and challenging life of the orchestra, and become something of a specialist in ballet solos and the Four Seasons along the way.
Married to Michele, a fellow musician, Warwick Adeney is blessed with nine children, all of whom learn a variety of instruments, and the family attends a weekly traditional Latin mass.
The violin Warwick plays is a Venetian instrument from the early 18th century, possibly by Carlo Antonio Testore.
Tracey grew up on the Gold Coast where she was extremely active in drama and ballet. Gold Coast Junior Theatre (with Molly Leggett), Gold Coast Little Theatre, Gold Coast Eisteddfods, School One Act Drama Festivals and musicals, Javeenbah Theatre and Robyn Farquhar School of Dance (10 years RAD ballet). She left to study acting at NIDA in 1981 and graduated in 1983. She was a professional actress for several years, working in Theatre, TV, Commercials, Playwrights Festivals and Film. Most of her work was in the theatre. Her many theatre credits include A DOLL’S HOUSE, ROMEO and JULIET, LOVES LABOURS LOST, SUMMER RAIN (World Premiere NIDA), ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT, KING LEAR, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, MORNING SACRIFICE, THE REAL THING, and TWO WEEKS WITH THE QUEEN (World Premiere STC). Theatre Companies included The Sydney Theatre Company and Griffin Theatre Company. Tracey was extremely fortunate to work with each of the forefathers of Australian theatre – John Bell, Aubrey Mellor and Richard Wherrett. Tracey married fellow NIDA graduate and actor Michael O’Neill (Gaylard) and moved to regional Victoria where they raised a family. For the next two decades, she became a Speech & Drama teacher (Trinity, AMEB), an adjudicator and director of productions for schools and the community. Some of these productions included – LES MISERABLES, GOD OF CARNAGE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, ANNIE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, OLIVER!, BYE BYE BIRDIE and CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. She and her husband were also Artistic Directors of their own theatre company, White Oak Theatre – WEIGHTLOSS WENDY, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, MORNING SACRIFICE, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL. Tracey has a great passion for Dramatic Art having been an actor or director in 54 theatre productions. She is delighted to be returning to the Gold Coast to share her rich artistic legacy. To be an adjudicator for the GCE back where it all began, is a lovely full circle.
Talisa has worked in Arts education for 15 years and is passionate about fostering confident, articulate and creative voices in young people. She has coordinated children's theatre programs in various Brisbane schools, tutored in voice and acting training, lectured international students in Voice and Shakespeare studies as well as served on the Committee of the Communication, Speech and Performance Teachers Inc and the Board for the English Speaking Union.
Originally from the Central Coast, Ryan is one of the country’s most sought-after talents both on and off the stage.
After graduating from Brent Street, he originated the role of Chistery in the 2008 Melbourne premiere season of Wicked (GFO Productions) Ryan went on to become one of the production’s longest serving cast members, performing the show over 1900 times and touring throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. As Dance Captain for the Australian production, he was also part of the casting team for the South Korean company. After an 8-year run with Wicked, he joined the cast of We Will Rock You (GFO Productions) understudying and performing the role of Brit.
The later part of 2016 also saw him join the original Australian company of The Book of Mormon (GFO Productions) as both Dance Captain and understudy Elder McKinley, performing to a record-number of tickets sold until its closure in 2020 due to the worldwide pandemic. Most recently, in 2022 he was dance captain and Tick/Bernadette covers for Priscilla Queen of the Desert on the Gold Coast, directed by Trevor Ashley.
In the U.S. he was part of the creative team on the motion picture Rent (Sony Pictures), appeared on the television show One Life to Live (Disney Channel), and performed in the Las Vegas production of Splash (Kutash Entertainment). He also toured Europe as A-Rab in West Side Story (Sun Dance Productions).
He was Dance Captain for the 2016 Sydney Chinese New Year Festival (Sydney City Council) and his choreography credits include The Rob Guest Endowment, Nokia, TV1, Carols in the Park Sydney, the AVA Awards, Australia Day Sydney Council, and The Sydney Theatre Awards. As a dancer Ryan has performed alongside Kelly Clarkson, Guy Sebastian, Will Young, Crystal Waters, and the Young Divas. He also teaches regularly around the country. As a singer he featured on Series 1 of Australian Idol and was signed with Warner Bros Publishing as a songwriter. He also tours internationally with the singing group Boys in The Band (SMA Productions).
Other credits include the original workshop production of Dirty Dancing (Jacobsen Entertainment), The Caroline O’Connor Show, The Son of The Mask (New Line Cinema), Rising Stars (ABC/Foxtel), Australia’s Most Wanted (Channel 9), The Helpmann Awards (Bio Channel), Carols By Candlelight (Channel 9), The Footy Show (Channel 9), Mornings with Kerri-Anne (Channel 9), Girl TV (Channel 7), The Entertainer’s Spectacular (Channel 9/NBN 3), and The Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Rowan Yates graduated from the Qld Conservatorium of Music in 2011 specialising in Performance. Since then, Rowan has performed with numerous ensembles such as the highly successful Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band and the Queensland Youth Orchestras Wind Symphony. He has toured internationally both with Bands and as a Soloist. Rowan has appeared in numerous performances in Movies, CD’s and live performances such as in the Brisbane Cultural Festival. Currently, Rowan works as an Instrumental Music Teacher at various schools on Brisbane’s Northside. He conducts the Northside Concert Orchestras Concert Band and Jazz Band.
D’Arne Sleeman a graduate of Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University is a Brisbane-based singer who has worked in all genres from opera, music and live theatre through to being a professional cantor in the Catholic church. A regular artist with Opera Queensland she has performed in over fifty productions since 1993, toured for three years with their primary school production of “The Songbird” in the title role and worked as tour manager.
D’Arne, has taught at Clayfield College and St Aidan’s as a vocal teacher. As a freelance artist, she performs regularly throughout Brisbane and regional areas. A couple of highlights included singing the anthem for the Bledisloe Cup at Suncorp Stadium and appearing in the recently released Thor Ragnarok Movie. Engagements have included Opera Queensland, Operatif, Underground Opera, Army Band and one of the world’s largest sit-down dinners for 6000 in Musgrave Park. She has performed internationally in Cortona Italy, and with Opera Box in Wales and London.
D’Arne produced and performed in several children’s performances as part of the “Live in the Libraries Series” for Brisbane City Council including, The Velveteen Rabbit, Bastien & Bastiana, Christmas around the World, Shakespeare in Music, and Rhymes, Rhythms & Rounds. She produced a series of morning melody events for regional performances throughout Queensland from 2014 including, Yeppoon, Eumundi, Redcliffe, Ipswich, Redland Bay, Sunshine Coast. In 2016 she was invited as part of an Australian Arts Council grant to conduct workshops and school concerts for the Emerald Festival of Bands she returned to Emerald in May of 2021 for the same program.
In 2018 D’Arne was invited by QPAC and La Scala Ballet to present an Italian music installation as pre-show entertainment for the international ballet company. In 2019 she presented several concerts at Epsom House in Tasmania and enjoys a full and varied schedule as a performer in a variety of corporate engagements.
Jayden was born and raised in Gippsland and is now a Melbourne based artist and creator. His performance credits include Opera Australia, Melbourne Ballet Company, Vertical Shadows and Collaboration the Project. In 2013, Jayden was nominated for a Green Room Award and Victorian Dance Award as Best Male Dancer for his performance in “Yours Truly” created by Paul Malek and Kim Adam.
Jayden became a primary staff member of Transit Dance in 2015, beginning his time as a principal artist of Transit Dance Company (2015 - 2021) and featured in productions BOYZ, Small Parameters and ID. In 2022, Jayden was announced as the Associate Director of Transit Dance.
Jayden was Artistic Director of popular youth company, Origins Dance Company (2016 - 2020) as well as the Producer of Dance Architect, UNDRGRND Melbourne and Australian Dance Award nominated Transit Regional Creative Project.
Jayden recently worked as Rehearsal Director for Project Animo on their premiere season "And Now We Move On" and Creative Assistant for The Australian Ballet's 60th Anniversary season "Identity", working closely with Cass Mortimer Eipper and Alice Topp.
Helen Carvolth graduated from The University of Qld’s School of Music with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts in 1996. Her tutor was celebrated violist Patricia Pollett, and then Helen completed a Master of Music (Performance) degree in 1999, during which she also studied with Spiros Rantos. During her years of study she performed with pianist Bernadette Groot in a series of recitals of violin and piano sonatas. She won the University String Prize in 1996, and has performed with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Qld Pops Orchestra, Ady Ensemble, Sinfonia of St Andrews, Northern Rivers Symphony, and the Australian Youth Orchestra, as well as the Lyrebird Ensemble in Mackay. Mrs Carvolth has three children, and for a number of years ran an early childhood music business (with a curriculum written and researched by herself) called “Sound Start Music”.
She is now teaching at both St. Margaret’s as well as Ipswich Grammar, having also taught at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School, West Moreton Anglican College, St Peter Claver College, and St Aidan’s AGS. Helen was Concertmaster of the Ipswich City Symphony from 2014 to 2022. In 2020, she lead the Ipswich City String Quartet in its’ inaugural concert tour of regional south-east Queensland, “Taking Flight” funded by a Regional Arts Development Grant. In July last year, she launched her own professional chamber collective, Riverbend Ensemble; a group focussed on presenting loved classics and new works to regional centres as well as Brisbane audiences.
Christopher Favaloro is originally from Sydney, where he studied at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, and further continued his studies at Ev & Bow Full-time Dance Training Centre. While completing his training, he represented Sydney Dance Company for the International Mayors’ Congress commissioned by APEC. In the same year, Christopher joined Melbourne Ballet Company as a soloist for their 2008 and 2009 seasons, Emerge and Believe. In 2009, Christopher was one of a select few accepted into the Cirque Du Soleil database, and was also awarded his Solo Seal by the Royal Academy of Dance. Christopher then went on to assist Sarah Boulter in teaching the top 4 contestants for the television show, So You Think You Can Dance Australia (Season 2 & 3). Soon after, he began touring Australia with Jerome Robbins’ timeless classic, West Side Story in 2010 & 2011. In 2012, Christopher joined Mod Dance Company as a Principal Dancer under the direction of Brett Morgan and Graeme Murphy performing signature works by Graeme Murphy entitled Suite Synergy. Throughout his career, Christopher has performed and toured in several shows with Opera Australia across Australia. These include Baz Luhrmann’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merry Widow, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute by Julie Taymor, Orpheus in the Underworld, Ballo, The Love of Three Oranges and Graeme Murphy’s Aida. From 2014-2018, Christopher toured internationally with Cats - The Musical in the iconic role, Mr. Mistoffelees to great acclaim. Since returning to Australia, Christopher regularly guest teaches and adjudicates across Australia as well as internationally, sharing his knowledge of the professional industry to aspiring young performers.
Helentherese Good is a freelance violinist, researcher, coach, and presenter from Brisbane and in 2015 was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship in ensemble music studies, enabling residencies with leading chamber orchestras in the US, UK and Europe. Having attained first class honours and a master’s degree in performance from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, in 2017 Helentherese joined the Musica Viva Artistic Review Panel, and coaches, writes program notes and gives preconcert talks for multiple arts organisations. She has also previously been a core member and soloist of Camerata, Qld’s Chamber Orchestra, founded the Christ Church Camerata in Newcastle, and played for the Qld Symphony and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras. As a recipient of the QUT Deans’ Award, Griffith University Award for Academic Excellence, the Australian Postgraduate Award, and full scholarship for chamber music programs at the Australian National Academy of Music, Helentherese seeks always to continue learning and growing as a musician. She is proud to have recently been a Dean's Scholar in the QUT Business School, and maintains a popular home teaching studio, while moonlighting in large-scale catering for her many children. Her garden is a wondrously overgrown jungle.
Born in Cuba, trained at the Cuban National Ballet School in Havana. He received several awards during his training. Camilo joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 2008 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2011. He moved to Australia and joined Queensland Ballet in 2015.
Camilo has toured extensively throughout Europe, South America, North America, Asia and Australia. He has performed on many of the most important stages around the world such as The Coliseum in London, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, among others. He also danced in numerous Festivals and Galas worldwide. Camilo was invited by Texas Ballet Theatre to perform as a Guest Principal Artist in their production of Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker.
With the above companies Camilo has performed principal roles in most major classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, La Sylphide, The Nutcracker, Romeo and
Juliet, Giselle, Coppelia, as well as works by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Kenneth McMillan, Jiri Kylian, Liam Scarlett, Trey McIntyre, Natalie Weir, Greg Horsman and
Harold Lander.
After his retirement from stage in 2021 Camilo took the position of Teacher and Coordinator of the Pre Professional Program with the Queensland Ballet Academy .
KSJ, MMus, BEd, DSCM, AMusA, ATCL, LTCL, LGSMD, MACE, MACEL, FAIM, Hon TCL
Barry Walmsley has enjoyed a distinguished career as a music educator, piano accompanist, writer, and adjudicator.
At the Sydney Conservatorium, he studied for the DSCM in piano with Eunice Gardiner and Gordon Watson, as well as organ with Robert Ampt at Sydney, and Sharon Raschke at Newcastle. He went on to add a music education degree after this, as well as the Associate and Licentiate diplomas from Trinity College London.
In the mid-80’s, Barry took up a part-time lecturing position in music at Avondale University, teaching harmony, piano and curriculum studies to undergraduate students.
For 11 years since 1990, Barry was the music critic for The Newcastle Herald, writing a regular column each week, as well as reviewing new books and CDs. During this time, he attained the Master of Music degree from the University of New South Wales, and was subsequently made a Member of the Australian College of Education.
He is a member of numerous professional networks including the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW (of which he is a Past-President). He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, and a member of both the Australian College of Educators and the Australian Council of Educational Leaders. In 2022, he was appointed to the Council of The Australian Society of Musicology and Composition).
He has worked for Trinity College London (1986-2021) and was awarded Honorary Membership to the College by the College’s patron, HRH The Duke of Kent at a ceremony in London’s Wigmore Hall in 1995, in recognition of his contribution to music education and Trinity’s work in Australia. He was appointed State Manager in 1998 and National Manager (2000-2021). In 2002 in London, he was again the recipient of an award: the Chairman’s Award from Lord Geddes (Chair, Board of Governors).
Barry has performed in such great venues as Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall, City Recital Hall – Angel Place, Hoosier Dome (Indianapolis, USA) and the Cathedrals of St Mary’s (Sydney), St Andrew’s (Sydney), St Patrick’s (Parramatta), St John’s (Brisbane), Christ Church (Newcastle), and throughout USA and New Zealand.
He has been Musical Director for a number of productions and events. For the Gold Coast Arts Centre, he was the MD for the Australian premiere of Jekyll & Hyde starring Rob Guest (2004).
He has been Director of Music at two distinguished schools: The Southport School (2001-2005), and The King’s School, Parramatta (2005-2020).
Kate Albury has a reputation as a dynamic and sensitive choral conductor. Along with her degrees in Music and Masters in Choral Conducting, she counts her years as Choral Director at Brisbane Grammar School as invaluable in fostering her passion for conducting choirs. In addition to her school choirs, Kate has conducted choirs for the Celtic Connection Chorus and the Qld Conservatorium of Music. Most significantly, she is regularly invited to join the elite conductors from around Australia and overseas to be part of the Artistic Team of the National Gondwana Choral School.
Since July 2016, Kate has been the Head of Faculty for the Creative and Performing Arts Department at St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe. In this time, she has built the choral program in both numbers and reputation. Choral membership at the Catholic boys-only school has grown from twelve in number to over eighty, with all choirs receiving Gold Awards at the most recent Qld Catholic Colleges Festival. In 2020 Kate is conducting the Secondary School Vocal Ensembles for the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) in Cairns and Toowoomba. Her greatest passion is to encourage young people to be involved in Choral Music, and she is thrilled to return to the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, to witness once again the outstanding performances of the Gold Coast school programs.
Aimee is a versatile dancer & well-respected teacher in the Australian Dance Industry. She prides herself on her strong work ethic & passion for her art form which has afforded her many opportunities across different facets of the dance industry.
Aimee has trained under the guidance of, & assisted some of Australia’s most well-respected choreographers, & the knowledge they have imparted has allowed her to create a fulfilling career for herself as a Ballet Teacher, Pilates Instructor, Performer and Adjudicator.
Early in her career Aimee was afforded the opportunity to assist Sarah Boulter with her choreography on hit TV show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Australia & UK. She was also selected from her Fulltime cohort to perform at the Sydney Opera House in ‘My Mutation’ choreographed by Kelley Abbey.
Aimee’s passion for Contemporary dance found her a place in Contemporary company ‘YouMove’ directed by Kay Armstrong, where Aimee enjoyed the opportunity to work with renowned choreographer Anton.
It was after a late-night game of charades in which Aimee posed as a very convincing cat that she was cast in Phly Crew’s first show. With an eagerness to give something new a try, & an ability to flex the funny bone, Aimee quickly earnt a place as a core member of the beloved comedy, hip hop group & now holds a position as their event coordinator in addition to performing. Aimee has been a featured performer in all three theatre shows & was a part of the group who earnt a place in the International finals of ‘World of Dance’ in 2017 & the Grand Final of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ in 2016.
Aimee is a very passionate teacher who is dedicated to not only teaching the next generation of dancers but also the next generation of teachers holding a RAD RTS, Diploma in Dance Teaching & Management, TAE qualification & Pilates instructor certificates.
Aimee continues to explore different opportunities within the dance industry to grow as a performer & teacher. She finds the most satisfaction in being able to make her audience & students feel the same amount of joy in dance as she does.
Freya List is an innovative Australian choreographer with a unique approach to story telling. Having trained and created works in Melbourne, New York and Europe, Freya’s choreography can most recently be seen in the Australian Premier of Bright Star (Pursued By Bear), The Children (Dir. Sarah Goodes, Melbourne Theatre Company & Sydney Theatre Company), RENT (Dir. Mark Taylor, James Terry Collective), A View From The Bridge (Dir. Iain Sinclair, Melbourne Theatre Company), Kabaret Dietrich (Fringe Festival), Woodes Tour, Astroman (Dir. Sarah Goodes, Melbourne Theatre Company), Melbourne Spring Fashion Week & Chelsea Wilson Album Launch.
Freya’s screen choreography and credits involve: Utopia (Dir. Rob Sitch, ABC), The Doctor Blake Mysteries (ABC/ Seven Network), Good Morning America, The Pacific (Dreamworks), the Australian Dance feature film UP HERE (Project Y), Neighbours (Network Ten), and has been involved in music videos for Hopium, Sex on Toast, Thelma Plum, Dustin Tebbutt and Braille Face. Freya loves the relationship between music and dance, resulting in the event series Playing Field. Freya has creatively been involved with many festivals, music launches, charity events, corporate performances & creative projects, including the premier of own show Half Full (Collaboration The Project). Freya has performed, taught & choreographed throughout Australia, Europe, America, Singapore, Cambodia and India, where Freya works with CERES Global to create trips and opportunities to teach dance for relationship development in different communities.
Freya teaches at many training institutes across Melbourne as both a faculty member and guest teacher including: VCA Music Theatre Bachelor, Spectrum Dance, ShowFit, Transit PA and Transit Origins. Freya has extensive experience as an adjudicator for competitions around Australia including Follow Your Dreams Nationals, Jump Nationals, Southern Federation, Casey Competitions Scholarship and Dance Off Challenge. Freya loves being involved with providing platforms and opportunities for dancers to learn and perform.
Nathan has worked within the entertainment industry for over 3 decades. Starting in film and television as a young actor.
Television credits: Young Doctors, A Country Practice, Police Rescue, Bellamy, and the iconic drama series ‘Sons and Daughters’ for Grundy Channel 7 network.
This led Nathan onto continued work in theatre at home in Australia & Internationally. Theatre credits: Conrad Jupiters Casino, Original cast member of Dein Perry's Tap Dogs. Starred in the original cast of 'Shout' the musical Australian Tour starring “David Campbell”. Cast member of Mamma Mia at the Lyric Theatre Star City Casino Sydney (role of “EDDIE”). Original cast member of Billy Elliot the musical.
In the year 2000 Nathan was the assistant to Dein Perry for Opening of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and worked with Kylie Minogue closing ceremony of the Olympics choreographed by William Forsythe.
He has created and directed the national tour of his own concept show BPM beatsperminute and Co-Directed Tap Works at NIDA. (National Institute of Drama Arts)
Nathan has also worked with Steve Wonder for the Quincy Jones 25th Anniversary Concert, performed at The Prince of Wales Royal Gala Performance for his Royal Highness King Charles.
Live performance for the Jerry Lewis Benefit Telethon Los Angeles , Opening of the Models Cafe New York City and has performed on both London’s West End and New York City Radio City Music Hall.
He has performed on numerous occasions at our own iconic Sydney Opera House, and in all of Australia's major National Theatres.
He has worked at Australia Zoo as a presenter and entertainer. Australia's Wonderland, Warner Bros Movie World and, Disney World Tours in Australia & New Zealand. He has worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, The QE2 and within many corporate shows and launches throughout Australia and overseas.
Film credits: Bootmen and Happy Feet 2
In the year 2020, Nathan was appointed tap trainer for the 10-year anniversary tour of Billy Elliot, and for the past 10 years continues to work for ED5 international in Sydney as a talent scout and teacher for their Diploma course in Performing Arts.
Adjudication Summary:
City of Sydney ,Dance Upon A Dream, Dance Blitz, The Ultimate Dance Challenge, Feel The Beat, Capricorn Dance Festival, Perth Annual Dance Championships, Southern Tasmania Dance Eisteddfod, Dance Magic, Dance Quest, Nowra Dance festival, Illawarra Flame Eisteddfod, Penrith City Eisteddfod, Wollongong City Eisteddfod, Bathurst Eisteddfod, Ipswich Eisteddfod, , Extreme, In the Spotlight, Pendulum Dance Competition, Verve Dance competition, The Hills Dance Spectacular, Auckland West Dance Festival, Just Dance Extravagance, Launceston Festival of Dance, Inspire Arts Challenge, Talent Tribe Dance Festival, Evolution Regionals and National Finals.
Nathan has a wealth of experience within the entertainment industry with a career expanding over 35years.
Kathryn Connors began her career by founding the Klaviermusik school of music for piano, violin and music theory, in 2003 and continues her position as principal teacher to this day. Her students range from 3 years old to adult and she prepares students for AMEB examinations up to and including diploma. She has a special interest in teaching ESL and gifted students, students with learning difficulties as well as ongoing education and mentoring for other teachers. She is an examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board and adjudicated the piano section of the 2019 Sunshine Coast eisteddfod and will be adjudicating the piano section of the 2022 Gold Coast Eisteddfod. Previously she has worked at multiple primary and secondary colleges and for the past 7 years has enjoyed her current role as a specialist lecturer at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with the Young Conservatorium Developing Musicians program. Kathryn studied music at Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland, along with studying education at the University of Southern Queensland. She feels that music is a gift for life and should be enjoyed and nurtured at all ages.
Katrina holds a Bachelor of Journalism/Bachelor of Arts (Drama and Writing) from the University of Queensland, a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning (Secondary) from the University of Southern Queensland as well as a Graduate Certificate of Voice Studies from the Victorian College of the Arts. She also holds a Level 4 Diploma in Teaching - Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) Speech and Drama, as well as Licentiate (LDPA) and Associate (ADPA) Diplomas in Drama and Performance from the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). Katrina achieved the highest mark in QLD for both her AMEB Associate and Licentiate diplomas.
Her teaching history is extensive and diverse, having worked for many years as an acting coach at various national talent agencies while also teaching private speech and drama at a number of Brisbane schools. She has a specialist teaching interest in voice studies: in addition to undertaking a post-graduate Voice Studies certification from the Victorian College of Arts, she is trained in the principles of the Estill Voice Training Model and the Alexander Technique. Katrina has recently been accepted into the Patsy Rodenburg Associate Program.
Katrina currently teaches speech and drama at All Hallows’ School in Brisbane. She also operates a private coaching business (Simply Speech) for actors, presenters, and public speakers, and delivers group training sessions on vocal health and presentation skills to corporate clients. Katrina served on the Management Committee of the Communication, Speech, and Performance Teachers (CSPT) Inc. for a number of years and was Co-Editor of the Association’s publication, The Quarterly Voice.
Katrina is an accomplished public speaker, and an active member of the Toastmasters International community. She serves as President for her local Club, and regularly presents masterclasses to members of the wider community. Katrina enjoys competing in prepared, impromptu, humorous, and evaluation contests and she has received a number of awards and accolades for her performances on the competitive circuit. She regularly presents speeches and keynotes at conferences and was featured twice as a special guest on ABC Radio Brisbane to discuss debate and communication skills in Australian politics.
Katrina has worked with a number of national talent agencies, leading a variety of acting and screen courses. She continues to enjoy performing on camera and providing voiceovers, regularly hosting and presenting content for a variety of corporate and advertising clients.
Tricia has over 25 years’ experience in the Performing Arts and Education sector as a performer, in school leadership and teaching. Her specialty areas are performing arts, literacy, elocution, inclusive education, voice and drama. Tricia has shared her knowledge with young people and professionals as a consultant and tutor in the corporate sector and at Performing Arts Academies and Private schools. Tricia is currently devoted to the development and application of performing arts within the curriculum for Preschool-aged children. Her experience and skills range from teaching, curriculum development, writing, producing, directing and adjudicating through to stage management, singing and acting performance. Tricia's students have enjoyed success in amateur and professional performance arenas including, musicals, music performances, circus, plays, television shows, commercials and feature films. They have also successfully auditioned for entry into tertiary study of performing arts at leading institutions including QUT, VCA and WAAPA. Tricia attained her Performing Arts qualification from Trinity College London in 1990. She also holds a Certificate III in Performance (Acting) and a Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen.
Dr Karen Anne Lonsdale holds a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Diploma of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, a Meisterklassendiplom from the Hochschule für Musik in Munich, a Graduate Certificate in Education from the Queensland University of Technology and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from Griffith University.
She has performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony, Munich Symphony, North West German Philharmonic, Queensland Pops Orchestra, Southern Cross Soloists, Camerata and X-Collective Cabaret Ensemble.As a solo and chamber musician, she has performed in Australia, Germany, Malaysia and the USA. She was a guest artist at the 2017 Australian Flute Festival, and Ipoh Music Festival, and performed with the Nakasari Ensemble (Malaysia) at the 2018 Asia-Pacific Symposium for Music Education Research in Melaka, and the 2018 BrisAsia Festival.
Dr Lonsdale has adjudicated for instrumental and/or vocal eisteddfods and competitions in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. She is also an AMEB Woodwind Examiner.
Dr Lonsdale was a Senior Lecturer at Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia from 2012-2018. Since returning to Australia, she has presented workshops for the Queensland Conservatorium and the Queensland Music Teachers’ Association, and collaborated with pianist Dr Hila Yusupov for the Australian premiere of Georgi Mushel’s Flute Sonatina in July 2019 at the University of Queensland.
In 2022, she will be an Artist in Residence at the Butterbox Theatre, Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct, where she will perform with Topology.
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.
Born and raised in Wagga Wagga NSW, Paul trained with Beverley Waters, Robert O’Kell, The Bryan Lawrence School of Ballet in Canberra, The Australian Ballet School and Marika Besobrasova in Monte Carlo.
Paul’s professional dance career spanned over 25 years dancing as a Principal Artist in 3 German Opera Houses, the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf/Duisburg, Oper der Stadt Bonn, Stadtische Buhnen Dortmund, Basel Ballet in Switzerland and Queensland Ballet.
Paul received the German Critics Award for ‘Best Up and Coming Artist in Europe’ and ‘Best Established Artist in Europe’ while as a dancer in Dusseldorf.
In 1993 Paul danced the title role of ‘Spartacus’ at the Summer Arts Festival at the famous Arena di Verona in Italy and was a Guest Artist throughout Europe during those years.
His extensive repertoire as a Principal Artist included all the major classics and works from Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, John Neumeier, Erich Walter, William Forsythe, Roland Petit, Youri Vamos, Peter Breuer, Natalie Weir, Francois Klaus, Judith Jamison amongst others.
As a choreographer his ballets have been in the repertoires Queensland Ballet, Australian Ballets Bodytorque season, Basel Ballet, Oper der Stadt Bonn and the Royal Ballet School in London performed ‘Uneven Ground’ at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 2005 and 2012 and toured that work to Japan and New York.
At the invitation of John Neumeier, Paul was invited to create a new work, ‘Songs of the Auvergne’ for his Bundesjugendballett in Hamburg which was presented in Hamburg, Heidelberg and Berlin in 2013.
Paul has been a Guest Teacher and Choreographer at the Royal Ballet School in London, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Hong Kong Ballet, Suzhou Ballet Theatre in China, Semper Oper in Dresden, Architanz in Tokyo, Graduate College of Dance in Perth, Sydney City Youth Ballet, McDonald College, Dresden International Ballet Summer
Paul is currently Head of the Academy Program (Upper School) and Resident Choreographer at Queensland Ballet Academy and Character Artist for Queensland Ballet.
Brad has been studying all facets of Performing Arts for over 30 years, which has seen him live his life long dream as a performer and educator.
He has appeared in advertising campaigns for KFC, National Rugby League, Sky News, Flip Cameras, Big Brother, eBay as well as Ch 7, Ch 9 & Ch 10.
Brad successfully auditioned for a featured role in Dein Perry’s Bootmen as well as appearing in the feature films Happy Feet 1 & Happy Feet 2.
Brad has also had the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia’s most sort after choreographers including The Squared Division, Kelley Abbey & Cameron Mitchell which has seen him travel and perform all over the world.
As well as a performer, Brad finds his passion in teaching and inspiring tomorrow's generation of young performers. He has a special flair for teaching and bringing the best out with every student, as seen in his show stopping choreography. This has seen him create for events such as Sydney Royal Easter Show, Sydney Mardi Gras, School Spectacular, Showcase National Dance Championships, World Dance Movement as well as creating awe inspiring routines that have gone on to win a multitude of awards and titles.
Brad is continually training and gaining experience to inspire and educate his students which sees him in high demand Australia & worldwide. Follow him @bradgreencreative on Instagram to keep up to date with all his adventures.
Paul joins us from Melbourne he has been a versatile and flexible performer for many years after completing a Bachelor of Music majoring in classical voice at Monash University and a Diploma in Music Theatre at APO Arts Academy. From 2011 Paul was a member of the Ten Tenors which toured extensively Nationally and Internationally which has seen him performing in the USA, Europe, Canada, Russia, South America, Dubai & Australia. He has had experience in both corporate and large-scale performances including international prime-time television, radio performance, US television, Australian television, the UEFA World Cup opening, Carols in the Domain and the Melbourne Cup. Whilst a member of the TEN tenors he was also Resident musical director responsible for recruitment, conducting rehearsals, media and communications, and vocal musical arrangements as well as the Co-Vocal producer for numerous albums produced by the vocal ensemble. As a soloist Paul performed at various gigs both in Australia and overseas. And a fun fact is that he is fluent in Italian and is proficient in Spanish French & German.
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