Our People

If the curriculum is the backbone, the heart of AMPA is its staff. AMPA boasts some of the highest calibre teaching and professional staff in Australia - each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge in their fields. AMPA staff are engaging, innovative, and share the same vision and enthusiasm for developing students to realise their potential.


Please select a department below to view our staff. 

• ALL
• EXECUTIVE
• MUSIC
•    DANCE   
• ACADEMIC BOARD
• PROFESSIONAL
• BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Prof Ian Bofinger
Executive Dean / CEO

Issac Chung Lee
Chief Operating Officer

Dr Elizabeth Jones
Head of Music

Dr Maya Gavish
Head of Department - Dance

Adj Prof Jamie Rigg
Contemporary Performance

Gavin Ahearn
Contemporary & Jazz

Diana Rouvas
Voice (Contemporary & Jazz)

Victor Rounds
Production & Bass Guitar

Peter Bishop
Music Theatre

Hans-Dieter Michatz
Classical Music

Trish Delaney-Brown
Music Theatre & Voice

Ben Gurton
Trombone

Dan Wallace-Crabbe
Contemporary & World Music

Michael Quigley
Drums (Contemporary & Jazz)

Alice Girle
Voice

Lucy Bailes
Voice

Anton Koch
Harmony & Composition, History

Jemma Burke
Voice

Dani Bainbridge
Music Theatre

Paul Brown
Guitar

Wendy Anggerani
Ensemble & Keyboard

Arax Mansourian
Voice (Classical)

Zachary Aleksander
Music Theatre

Em Prof Greg Whateley
Arts Management

Briana Cowlishaw
Voice (Contemporary & Jazz)

Jo Elms
Voice (Contemporary & Jazz)

Quang Hong Luu
Piano (Classical)

Claire Trevelyan
Harmony & Analysis, History

Dr. Wojciech Wisniewski
Piano & Classical Performance

Grant Sambells
Classical Guitar

Tracey O’Leary
Woodwind (Classical)

Ed Schots
Bass Guitar, Saxophone and Flute

Dominik Przywara
Violin (Classical)

Jinwon Chang
Orchestral Conducting and Brass, International Engagement Advisor

Tim Cunniffe
Répétiteur & Accompanist

Christina Han
Répétiteur & Accompanist

Scott Lam
Piano

Sean Moloney
Ear Training

Nathaniel Kong
Piano, Répétiteur & Accompanist

Tracey O’Leary
Registrar / Librarian

John Rouvas
Voice

Long Vuong
Voice, French Horn

Alysia Jarvis
Dance Technique & Performance

Georgette Sofatzis
Dance Technique & Dance Performance

Francesca Gozdek
Dance Technique & Dance Performance

Fabio Lo Giudice
Dance Technique

Richard Allen
Performance Production

Anca Frankenhaeuser
Dance Technique & Composition

Erin Barney
Acro

Anton
Dance Technique & Production

Marina Tamayo
Dance Performance

Belinda Hernandez
Dance Technique & Dance Performance

Andii
Dance Performance

Angela Hamilton
Dance Performance

Norman Hall
Dance Composition & History

Victor Zarallo
Dance Technique & Dance Performance

Lee-Anne Litton
Contact Improvisation

Tony Osborne
Theatre Skills

Fumi Somehara
Body Science

Daryl Morante
Dance Technique

Margie Medlin
Performance Production

Sally Harrison
Safe Movement Practice

Kathy Cogill
Yoga

George Makras
Performance Production

Em Prof Greg Whateley
Chair, Board of Directors

Noel Cislowski AM
Board of Directors

Toni Cody
Board of Directors

Richard Arnold
Board of Directors

Joanne Grace Kim
Board of Directors

Em Prof Anthony Greville Shannon AM
Chair, Academic Board

Em Prof John Painter
Academic Board

Simon Kenway
Academic Board

Renee Goossens
Academic Board

Sophie Takatsuka
Admissions & Administration

Kate Garrett
Administration/Studio Officer

Chris Ventura
Admissions & Events

Wenny Tan
Multimedia Specialist

David Zappia
Audio/Technical Facilities Officer

• <

  >
  

  Prof Ian Bofinger
  Executive Dean / CEO

  Professor Ian Bofinger has had a diverse career in music, combining his background in performance (violoncello solo, chamber music and orchestral), management and blended learning education design.
  
  Ian commenced his professional career as a Lecturer in ‘Cello at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Griffith University) in 1998, whilst working with the Queensland Symphony and Queensland Philharmonic Orchestras.
  In 1991, Ian moved to the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music where he ultimately became Deputy Director (2002-2005) and foundation ‘cellist of the Lyrebird Trio. During this time he completed his Doctoral Studies where he co-founded Australia’s first ‘Virtual Conservatorium’.
  In 2005, Ian relocated to Sydney to take up the position of Deputy Dean and Head, Academic Studies and Information Services at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM). The original requirements of this position at AIM were to update three of the weakest and maligned areas at the Institute – Academic Studies, Information Technology and the Library.
  
  The opportunity to step outside of the music discipline came in early 2009 when Ian became Manager, TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning) at the University of Western Sydney College.
  
  Later in 2009, Ian returned to the Australian Institute of Music to take up the position of Executive Dean. In these past 6 years, Ian was instrumental in the growth and development of AIM to become the largest music school in the southern hemisphere. In his time, AIM has more than tripled its size, income and student numbers as well as opening a second major campus of AIM in the CBD of Melbourne at the beginning of 2014.
  
  Prof Bofinger comes to the Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts with a renewed focus for AMPA to become one of Australia’s premier boutique Arts Academies, where the emphasis is on the personal attention of the individual student rather than the profit margin of the company and where AMPA and the students share in their transformation to become Australia’s next generation of Music and Performing Arts professionals.
• <

  >
  

  Issac Chung Lee
  Chief Operating Officer

  Issac Chung Lee is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Company Secretary of the Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). With considerable experience in the education and creative sectors, Issac has provided leadership in business services, strategy development, technology and media, finance, operational performance, legal and risk, property and support services for a number of institutions within Australia. Prior to commencing the role of COO at AMPA he served as Executive Director and COO of the Australian Performing Arts Grammar School (APGS), an inner city, co-educational secondary school catering to students of creative and artistic ability. Issac dedicated many years towards the establishment of the school from its inception in 2005 and remains serving as a member of the board today.
• <

  >
  

  Dr Elizabeth Jones
  Head of Music

  Elizabeth Jones was born in Sydney, Australia and began her studies on the accordion at the age of five, first with Else Brandman and from 1990 with Margaret Brandman - Blake. After completing a Bachelor of Music degree at Sydney University in 1992, she joined the Advanced Postgraduate Course at the Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied accordion with Professor Owen Murray until the end of 1995 and piano with Antoinetta Notariello until the end of 1996. In 2008 Elizabeth was awarded her Doctor of Creative Arts at the University of Western Sydney, for her portfolio on researching the pedagogical and performance styles of the accordion.
  
  Her concert performances have taken her to London, Hong Kong, China, New Zealand and throughout Australia, where she has performed as guest artist and recitalist at major venues. She has also given numerous broadcasts for the ABC and 2MBSFM, as well as featuring on recordings and Win News, Wollongong. Elizabeth has collaborated with many composers based in Sydney to promote the accordion as a concert instrument. The composers include Eric Gross, Margaret Brandman - Blake, Ko-Ting Sung, Terumi Narashumi, and Andrew McBirnie (U.K.) Amongst her premieres are And The Sun Danced On Easter Morn’ an intermezzo for accordion and organ, Tanghetto con Bandoneon for accordion and mandolins and Concertino for accordion and orchestra all by Eric Gross. In 2004 Elizabeth perfomed with Oz Opera in their premiere of Midnite as part of the Melbourne International Festival. During 2005 she performed in the Australian premiere of Menschen am Sonntag with Ensemble Offspring as part of the Sydney Film Festival. In 2006 she was guest artist with the Australia Ensemble for the performance of Hindemith’s Kammermusik Nr.1.
  
  This year Elizabeth has performed as principal guest artist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, premiered new works with Chronology Arts and participated in the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Elizabeth also has a strong interest in performing world music. In 2003 Elizabeth joined the trio Tempo di Tango with violinist Maggie Ferguson and cellist John Napier. The trio then developed into an orchestra tipica and performed regularly for the nationwide tango scene. In 2006 “Cambalache’ requested Elizabeth to join their quartet. They performed as part of the Café Carnivale series and are artists with the Australian Jazz Agency. During 2006 she has also collaborated with Stephen Lalor building a world music repertoire. In 2007 Elizabeth also joined the tango group Feugo Lento a group that comprises of some of Sydney’s foremost session musicians. Elizabeth also performs on the bandoneon and piano at various venues around Sydney and also accompanies students for examinations and auditions. Among her academic presentations are published research papers through the International Society of Music Education and the University of Western Sydney. In 2010 Elizabeth accepted the role of Head of Classical Performance at the Australia Institute of Music, and at the end of 2014 took on the additional role of Head of Academic Studies (Sydney and Melbourne campuses). After 11 years of leadership roles at the Australian Institute of Music, Elizabeth accepted the position of Head of Music/Academic support at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
• <

  >
  

  Dr Maya Gavish
  Head of Department - Dance

  Maya holds a PhD from Western Sydney University and a Master degree in Dance and Education from the Jerusalem Dance and Music Academy and Hebrew University, Israel. Her research has focused on implementing cognitive psychology theories and methods to investigate the choreographic process, along with investigating different choremusical relations in live performances. Maya has performed international dance repertoire, created and restaged various dance works, featured in a variety of productions and worked with choreographers of the highest calibre. Since moving to Sydney in 2008, she has been lecturing and teaching dance at a number of tertiary institutions as well as directed and produced multiple dance events.
• <

  >
  

  Adj Prof Jamie Rigg
  Contemporary Performance

  Jamie comes from an extensive career in television and live performance, working as musical director for nationally touring rock music - show ‘Long Way To The Top’. Jamie has also worked for the ABC’s ‘Club Buggery’, the Channel 9 Logie Awards and Channel 7’s Carols in the Domain.
  
  When asked about his thoughts on joining AMPA, he commented, "One of the distinct highlights of my career has been the opportunity to join Prof.Ian Bofinger’s team; originally at AIM where he lead the exponential growth of the brand and business, and now at AMPA where I look forward to a similar challenge. Ian has great vision and passion for music education and I have no doubt that AMPA has an enormous future under his leadership. I am genuinely excited to be a member of the AMPA team that will deliver a very individual and nurturing culture to music education."
• <

  >
  

  Gavin Ahearn
  Contemporary & Jazz
• <

  >
  

  Diana Rouvas
  Voice (Contemporary & Jazz)

  Having grown up in a tremendously musical family, Rouvas made her onstage debut at a young age and was a music industry veteran by the time she was twenty years old. She began serious vocal training at just four and started writing music at seven. At sixteen, Rouvas travelled to the US to hone in on her songwriting skills and perform around the country, and by seventeen, she was touring internationally as a backup singer for Tina Arena. Over the last decade, she has become one of the darlings of the Sydney music scene and gained industry respect as an outstanding live vocalist. Having studied voice from a young age – she has also been teaching voice production here and in the US, for the past 12 years. She has sung alongside some of Australia’s most successful musicians, and worked aside some of the most successful artists and musicians in America. In 2006 Rouvas recorded her original material with the legendary Funk Soul Bank “RUFUS” (Rufus and Chaka Khan) which Rouvas says was an incredibly humbling experience, and toured the world as a solo artist and even represented Australia by performing at the prestigious G’Day USA Australia Week showcase in Los Angeles.
  
  In 2012, Rouvas was one of the final eight contestants on the first series of The Voice as part of Keith Urban’s team. While many would argue that her defining moment was a vibrant and charismatic rendition of Beyoncé’s Love On Top, her depth and nature as an artist wasn’t truly felt until she floored the judges with a raw and incredibly sultry performance of blues standard Stormy Monday that was not only goosebump-inducing, but technically impressive.
  
  Rouvas was signed to Universal Music not long after her time on the voice, Releasing the single Heart of Goodbye, Rouvas collaborated with ARIA-nominated producer, Louis Schoorl (Daniel Johns, The Veronicas, De La Soul, Tina Arena) and UK producer Sermstyle (Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar) to create a mature, but uplifting soul-meets-pop track that has its roots deep in 70s throwback cool, with a very on-the-pulse feel.
  
  Diana is now passionate about sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge with students at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
• <

  >
  

  Victor Rounds
  Production & Bass Guitar

  Victor Rounds is one of the country's most sought after musicians.
  
  He has appeared on an endless list of artists’ albums including Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, Jenny Morris, Renee Geyer, Marcia Hines, Andrew Fariss (INXS), Margaret Urlich and Gina Jefferies.
  
  He can credit over a hundred and fifty albums to date as well as numerous tours worldwide with some of the biggest names in the Australian and international Music Industry.
  
  Support tours have included ‘Tears for Fears’, ‘Prince’ and Paul McCartney and recently played with UK artist Rick Astley.
  
  Victor currently produces and owns his own music label VMUSIC (.net.au)
  
  He is greatly admired not only for his Bass playing style but also for his dynamic vocal accompaniment and arrangements.
• <

  >
  

  Peter Bishop
  Music Theatre

  Born in Australia Peter decided to move to the UK in 1986 when he landed his first West End roles as the Slave Master & Raoul in the original production of The Phantom of the Opera at her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket . Since then Peter has appeared in most major musicals in the West End. Peter has also appeared in Cinderella at the Theatre Royal , Windsor, in Camelot at the Liverpool Playhouse and as Jesus in Godspell at the Key Theatre Peterborough. Peter spent a season at the Vasa Theatre in Stockholm playing the Narrator in "A Christmas Carol"together with the English Theatre Company. During that period he apppeared on several TV shows, including "Ljungquist pa Bommen" and "An evening with Taube" -Both enabling him to interview in Swedish to the delight of the audience! Peter is also a highly acclaimed choreographer, working in Opera (Sydney AUS), TV (inc Kate Bush special) and numerous smaller theatre & school productions. He won the Choreographer of the Year award in Australia 1985
• <

  >
  

  Hans-Dieter Michatz
  Classical Music
• <

  >
  

  Trish Delaney-Brown
  Music Theatre & Voice

  A graduate of the ANU’s School of Music Jazz Dept (1995), Trish has been singing professionally since late 1991 in a variety of musical genres as both a soloist and a backing vocalist In Australia and overseas. Along with session, corporate & television work, she has led vocal workshops and choirs; produced and promoted her own concerts; was a founding member and soprano (1993-‐2008) of the internationally acclaimed a cappella quartet The Idea Of North; & is an award winning songwriter and arranger.** With the birth of her first child in early 2007 Trish found her focus shifting from performance and touring to include more music education. As a Certified Master Trainer of the Estill Voice Model, the study that Trish had initially done to benefit her own performance has become an invaluable tool when helping other aspiring and established vocalists understand and improve their vocal performance. Her valuable experience and insights are also utilised through her many workshop and masterclass presentations (ANATS; Festival of Voices; WollCon; and numerous educational facilities throughout Australia). Along with ongoing performances - regular gigs including the Sonic Mayhem Orchestra (14 piece jazz big band); Serenata Trio;  the Trish Delaney-Brown Quintet and her private teaching studio, Trish is also Head Of Vocals at the Wollongong Conservatorium, and is an ABC Jazz Digital artist, her 2017 release ‘The Game’ being shortlisted for the ARIA’s Best Jazz Album 2018.  ** Songwriter of the Year - Australian Songwriters Association (2003) ; ‘Best Jazz Song” -2005 CARA’s (USA);  “Best jazz Fusion/Gospel Song” and “Best Gospel Lyric” - Australian Gospel Music Awards (2007); Jazz Songwriting (shortlisted) - APRA Development Awards (2009/2017).  ** Songwriter of the Year - Australian Songwriters Association (2003) ; ‘Best Jazz Song” -2005 CARA’s (USA);  “Best jazz Fusion/Gospel Song” and “Best Gospel Lyric” - Australian Gospel Music Awards (2007); Jazz Songwriting (shortlisted) - APRA Development Awards (2009/2017).
• <

  >
  

  Ben Gurton
  Trombone

  Ben has been a professional trombone player in all areas of the Australian music industry for over 25 years. He has completed a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) from the Adelaide Conservatorium and a Master of Music from the Australian Institute of Music. Ben has played for television shows The Voice, Australian Idol, Strictly Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance. In recent years he has travelled regularly to China to play for local tv shows I Am A Singer, The Masked Singer and The Grammys, as well as touring with local pop artist Jane Zhang. In Australia he has toured with Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Suzi Quatro, Noel Gallagher and the last three years with Tim Minchin. Live he has played Allianz Stadium with Michael Bublé, the ARIAs with Tones And I, the Logies with Jessica Mauboy and the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage with Michael Bolton, Florence and the Machine, Sufjan Stevens, Jerry Lewis, Giorgio Moroder, Sarah Blasko, Debbie Reynolds and more. In musical theatre he has played for the professional productions of American In Paris, Chicago, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Dream Lover, Singin’ In The Rain, Dirty Dancing etc. And in the studio has recorded on albums for Genesis Owusu, Guy Sebastian, Anthony Warlow, Passenger, Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John etc.
• <

  >
  

  Dan Wallace-Crabbe
  Contemporary & World Music
• <

  >
  

  Michael Quigley
  Drums (Contemporary & Jazz)
• <

  >
  

  Alice Girle
  Voice

  Alice has performed as a featured soloist with Opera Australia, Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra, Western Sydney Opera and Harbour City Opera, A recent graduate from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, she holds a Masters of Performance with Distinction, and a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has performed and recorded with London Philharmonia Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Seven Sopranos, Cantillation and The Song Company. She has also performed as an anthem soloist at the Rugby World Cup. Alice was awarded two prestigious concert awards through the Bel Canto Institute in Firenze - a concert series in New York accompanied by assistant conductor from the Metropolitan Opera, Robert Morrison and with the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra. Alice performed excerpts from Mussorgsky’s opera Boris Godunov with the London Philharmonia Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall and as a soloist in the London Handel Festival at Hanover Square. She has performed in masterclass for Maestro Richard Bonyge, Graham Johnson and Yvonne Kenny. Alice has also been a finalist in the Richard Bonyge and Joan Sutherland Bel Canto Award where she was also recipient of the Megan Evans Award and winner of the Wollongong Eisteddfod Aria Competition. As a teacher, Alice has over 15 years experience. She is currently on staff at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Australian Performing Arts Grammar School, Emanuel School and Eastern Suburbs Piano Tuition.
• <

  >
  

  Lucy Bailes
  Voice

  Lucy Bailes is a Graduate of The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London with a Master of Music Performance. She was a finalist in the National Aria Competition in 2008 and 2010 and has won over 150 prizes and scholarships including the Elizabeth Todd Lieder Prize and an Opera and Arts Support Group Scholarship. She has performed in some of the world's most iconic places including the United Nations; Rockefeller Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Washington Cathedral, St Georges Chapel Windsor and Westminster Abbey.
• <

  >
  

  Anton Koch
  Harmony & Composition, History
• <

  >
  

  Jemma Burke
  Voice
• <

  >
  

  Dani Bainbridge
  Music Theatre
• <

  >
  

  Paul Brown
  Guitar
• <

  >
  

  Wendy Anggerani
  Ensemble & Keyboard

  Wendy Anggerani is a highly sought after pianist and keyboardist who has shared stage with many great artists such as Ronan Keating, James Blunt, Jessie J, DemiLovato, Bananarama, Guy Sebastian, David Campbell, Jessica Mauboy, 1927, Ross Wilson from Daddy Cool and John Paul Young.
  Wendy had also been involved in theatre productions such as Jersey Boys, and had been Music Director for Showcase at The Australian Institute of Music since 2012 as well as Carols In The City presented by The Sebastian Foundation and MYER since 2013.
  In television, Wendy has been involved in shows such as X Factor, Australia Got Talent, and Sunrise on Channel 7. In 2007 Wendy toured around China and South East Asia. She performed with Asia Beat's Lewis Pragasam in Malaysia and Indonesia at The Java Jazz Festival.
  Wendy is currently involved in original projects with Sexy Sunday Jam and Adam Katz.
  
• <

  >
  

  Arax Mansourian
  Voice (Classical)
• <

  >
  

  Zachary Aleksander
  Music Theatre
• <

  >
  

  Em Prof Greg Whateley
  Arts Management

  Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is currently Deputy Vice Chancellor, Group Colleges Australia researching and writing in the areas of Quality Management and eQuality. He is also Chief Operating Officer for PAX/Tr4inright. Greg retired from Teaching Research, Management and Leadership in October 2019. He is author of more than 320 external publications and advises and writes in the areas of accreditation, quality assurance, government reporting, eLearning, mLearning, bLearning and hLearning. He is currently a Member of the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change; a Reviewer for the British Educational Research Journal; a Reviewer for IGI Global; Co-Editor of the GCA Publication Series; Chair of the Board of Directors, Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts; Chair of the Academic and Examination Board of Stanfort Academy (Singapore); Chair of the Academic Senate of UBSS; Chair of the Academic Board of the Australian Guild of Music Education; Chair of the Advisory Board, PAX Institute; Member of the Elite Education Council; Director, Group Colleges Australia; and Chair and President, Musicum20. Greg is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders; a Fellow of the Australian College of Research; and a Fellow of the UBSS Centre for Scholarship and Research.
• <

  >
  

  Briana Cowlishaw
  Voice (Contemporary & Jazz)
• <

  >
  

  Jo Elms
  Voice (Contemporary & Jazz)

  Jo was raised in New Zealand where she graduated with an A-grade Diploma in Jazz Performance from the Christchurch Polytechnic School of Jazz and in the same year was presented with the Jazz Soloist of the South Island Award. Since then Jo has gone on to study various forms of entertainment including dance, stage/television acting and vocal technique. Her list of credits include a lead role in The Official Tribute to the Blues Brothers-Live on Stage a featured role in the TV series Hercules, a lead role in the TV series Deadly Women and singing backing vocals for artists such as Rick Price, Glenn Shorrock, Tina Arena, Mark Williams, Margaret Urlich, Julie Anthony, Steve Clisby, Ursula Yovich and Kyle Linahan.
  
  Jo's first single, Closest Thing to Heaven, was released through Warner Bros Music New Zealand, and went to number 5 on the NZ pop charts. Since moving to Sydney in 1998, Jo has built up a name for herself within the music industry and has an impressive list of credits to her name and some of her clients have included Telstra Corporation, P&O, IMG, St George Bank and NSW Government to name but a few.
  
  Jo is constantly performing around Sydney as well as being an in-demand session singer voice over artist and actress. She feels at home playing guitar and percussion as well as singing in ensembles with some of Australia's most respected artists and musicians. Jo has won awards for her original compositions in both the 25th Australian National song-writing contest and the Musicoz Awards. She's appeared on Mornings with Kerri-Anne Kennerley and has given electric performances at The Manly International Jazz Festival, The Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival, The Norfolk Island Jazz Festival and The New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival, as well as hosting her own show at Sydney's top live music venue, The Basement. Jo’s been a part of the 2006, 2007 and 2009 Taronga Zoo Twilight Series Concerts guesting with The Doobies, Eagles & West Coast Rock Show featuring Barry Leef.
  
  June 2011 saw Johanna return to London in order to further her career and explore new and exciting opportunities and in April 2012 she travelled to New York to perform a set of her original compositons at one of NYC’s top venues ‘Arlene’s Grocery’ with a band comprising of some of NY’s finest musicians.
  
  Jo is a vocal teacher at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts and continues to perform between Sydney and London as an artist in her own right and as part of produced shows such as ‘The First Ladies of Soul’, ‘The Swell Sisters- Sweethearts of the 60s’, ‘The 70s Unplugged’ and ‘The Battle of the Divas’.
• <

  >
  

  Quang Hong Luu
  Piano (Classical)

  A graduate of the Academy of Music and Performing Arts under the tutelage of Kyunghee Lee, Quang Hong Luu has won 1st prizes in competitions in Australia including the Sydney Eisteddfod: Kawai, Recital, Chopin and 19th Century piano awards, finalist of the Allison/Anderson Piano scholarship and 1st prize of the Lev Vlassenko piano competition in Brisbane. He has also performed with many orchestras in Australia and abroad including the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra, Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra from Florence (Italy), Queensland symphony Orchestra, KOZY symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Orchestra (Sydney). Quang received a full scholarship to participate and perform at the Kirishima International music festival (Japan) 2011 and perform at the Asia Orchestra Week festival in Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall in Japan 2012. He was also invited as guest artist to perform at the prestigious Sun Aria vocal competition of Australia in August 2012 and was the winner of the Emerging Artists concert series in Sydney, sponsored by Theme and Variations piano service. In 2014, he was offered a full scholarship to pursue his postgraduate in piano performance at the Faculty of Music, University of Montreal, Canada. Under the guidance of his master pianist and teacher – Mr Dang Thai Son, Quang attained his master degree in Montreal. In 2018 Quang placed 2nd at the prestigious Oleggio International Piano Competition held in Italy.
• <

  >
  

  Claire Trevelyan
  Harmony & Analysis, History
• <

  >
  

  Dr. Wojciech Wisniewski
  Piano & Classical Performance

  Dr Wojciech Wisniewski is a pianist, pedagogue and author currently residing in Sydney, Australia. Born in Poland, Wojciech graduated from Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (Poland) shortly before arriving in Australia in 2004. After completing his Bachelor of Music in 2007 (Ist Class Honors) at Australian Institute of Music, he received Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney in 2015, as a recipient of ‘Bessie Cook Piano Award’. In 2011 he received a diploma from Ministry of Culture of the Polish Government for ‘exemplary achievements in the field of popularising music of Frederic Chopin.’
  
  His teachers include Dr Krystyna Wojcik, Edward Wolanin, Bronislawa Kawalla, Dr Katarzyna Jankowska, Phillip Shovk and Natalia Sheludiakova. He participated in numerous masterclasses with such renowned artists as Andrzej Jasinski and Paul Lewis. After his arrival to Australia he performed as a soloist, chamber musician and with orchestra around the country and in New Zealand. In 2008 he was selected and performed at the Sydney International Piano Competition.
  
  Wojciech is a devoted teacher and his other interests include psychology, history of piano performance styles, computers and web-design amongst many others.
• <

  >
  

  Grant Sambells
  Classical Guitar

  Guitar studies from a young age have lead Grant Sambells to multiple scholarships, first-class Honours and Masters degrees as well as Diplomas from AMEB and Trinity. He has received tuition from Don Andrews (Central Coast Conservatoire), Clair Wenborn and AIM founder Dr. Peter Calvo.  Grant has given numerous performances at venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Government House, The Independent Theatre, The Royal Yacht Club, The Art Gallery of NSW (Picasso exhibition & at the opening of the Rupert Bunny exhibition). He played the premiere of Lachlan Moods by NZ born composer, Ross Carey - whose works have been performed by guitar legend Kazuhito Yamashita and the Australian String Quartet - at the Forbes Music Festival, 2011. In 2015 Grant gave a Christmas day performance on Eastside FM radio. In 2019 he performed an all Villa-Lobos recital at the Instituto Cervantes Sydney for the Brasilian Consulate. For the last thirteen years Grant has taught classical music at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts and Australian Institute of Music. Some of Grant’s past musical endeavours include collaborations and performances with Clair Wenborn, David Miller, Wendy Dixon, Damian Barbeler, John Peterson, Danielle Eden and Robert Harris. Currently he is undertaking a musical doctorate with Professor Diana Blom.
• <

  >
  

  Tracey O’Leary
  Woodwind (Classical)
• <

  >
  

  Ed Schots
  Bass Guitar, Saxophone and Flute
• <

  >
  

  Dominik Przywara
  Violin (Classical)
• <

  >
  

  Jinwon Chang
  Orchestral Conducting and Brass, International Engagement Advisor
• <

  >
  

  Tim Cunniffe
  Répétiteur & Accompanist

  Raised in Busselton, Western Australia, Tim took his first paid gig at age 15 in a local piano bar, before moving to Perth to complete a degree in classical piano at WAAPA, and later studying conducting with Dobbs Franks. He forged his career in Western Australia, where he is best known as Music Director of more than 30 stage shows, co-creator of more than 80 cabaret shows presented around the world, lecturer in Music Theatre at WAAPA, conductor of the Churchlands Choral Society for 12 years, and for his long association with His Majesty’s Theatre. He was the resident Musical Director of Downstairs @ The Maj from its inception, directed and arranged the music for the theatre’s centenary gala in 2004, and conducted many performances within its walls, most memorably Irene in 2008 with Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds. Since relocating to Sydney in 2012, his work includes serving as Assistant Conductor on national tours of The King and I (OA/GFO), Dirty Dancing (GFO), We Will Rock You (GFO), and Jersey Boys (New Theatricals). In 2021, Tim was invited to return to WAAPA as a Visiting Artist, to conduct their season of Crazy For You at The Maj. In January 2022 he was appointed to the position of Assistant Chorus Master and Head Rehearsal Pianist with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.
• <

  >
  

  Christina Han
  Répétiteur & Accompanist
• <

  >
  

  Scott Lam
  Piano
• <

  >
  

  Sean Moloney
  Ear Training
• <

  >
  

  Nathaniel Kong
  Piano, Répétiteur & Accompanist
• <

  >
  

  Tracey O’Leary
  Registrar / Librarian
• <

  >
  

  John Rouvas
  Voice

  Singing Teacher and Vocal Coach John Rouvas is also a performer in his own right. With a career spanning more than 30 years, John has shared the stage with some of the cream of the Australian Music industry and also many internationally renowned artists.
• <

  >
  

  Long Vuong
  Voice, French Horn

  Long started his musical education with piano and at the age of 13 and was awarded 2nd prize winner of the Hanoi Keyboard Competition (Hanoi – Vietnam) sponsored by Yamaha in 2001.
  
  Long Vuong is also an opera singer and French Horn player, and at the age of 16, was a member of the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and an Associate Member of the Vietnam Opera and Ballet Orchestra (VNOB).
  In 2007, Long received a scholarship to study at the Australian Conservatorium of Music (now known as the Academy of Music and Performing Arts). He also joined the Melbourne International Festival of Brass in 2007 and 2008, and played as a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra. Long has received several master classes with world renowned horn players such as, Barry Tuckwell, Stefan Dohr, Gail Williams and Geoff Collinson. In 2009, Long became Principal Horn Player for the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and toured to Bonn and Berlin for the Beethoven Festival in 2010 with the Vietnam Academy of Music Orchestra, also as Principal Horn Player.
  In 2007, Long received a scholarship to study at the Australian Conservatorium of Music (now known as the Academy of Music and Performing Arts). He also joined the Melbourne International Festival of Brass in 2007 and 2008, and played as a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra. Long has received several master classes with world renowned horn players such as, Barry Tuckwell, Stefan Dohr, Gail Williams and Geoff Collinson. In 2009, Long became Principal Horn Player for the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and toured to Bonn and Berlin for the Beethoven Festival in 2010 with the Vietnam Academy of Music Orchestra, also as Principal Horn Player.
  
  In 2015, Long Vuong became the founder and director of the Grazioso Educating in Music and Art.
  
• <

  >
  

  Alysia Jarvis
  Dance Technique & Performance

  Alysia Jarvis has worked as a dancer, teacher and choreographer for the past 30 years. She is the Head of Teaching at the Janice Breen Performance Studio and has, for the past thirteen years, lectured in technique and performance for the BA Dance degree programs at the Wesley Institute and the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). Alysia’s choreographic and production credits include: the Channel 7 Carols in the Domain, the NSW Premiers Gala Christmas Concerts, The 2015 Netball World Cup Opening ceremonies, the Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony 2003, the NFL Superbowl 2003, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremonies 2000, as well as work for stage, television, advertising and corporate entertainment. Many of Alysia’s students have moved on to a professional career in the performing arts, appearing in major musical theatre productions, commercial and contemporary dance companies, theme parks and cruise lines, both locally and internationally. In addition to her teaching portfolio, Alysia currently works as a dance and arts consultant within a variety of education settings. Alysia holds an honours degree in Dance Education and a Masters of Arts Education (Dance Teaching) with the Royal Academy of Dance/ University of Bath UK. Alysia’s particular area of MA research focus was in dance and somatic practice and she was invited to present this research at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) conference in Helsinki. Finland in October 2018. Alysia is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance. Alysia has been a tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance Faculty of Education since 2019 and works as a lecturer and practical teaching supervisor on the RAD Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) and Professional Dancers Postgraduate Teaching certificate (PDPTC) programs.
• <

  >
  

  Georgette Sofatzis
  Dance Technique & Dance Performance

  Born 1991, originally from Sydney Australia. Georgette is an Honours Graduate from the Alvin Ailey American Dance School based in New York City, Majoring in The Horton Dance Technique and Dance Performance. She is also APMA Clinical Pilates Practitioner and Movement Scientist, Specialising in Dancers and Musculoskeletal Pathologies in Clinical and Studio practices. 2011-2014, Georgette worked and performed for many well-renowned American choreographers in NYC; Matthew Rushing, Sidra Bell, Sonia Dawkins, Carlos De Santos, Iquail Johnson, Amy Hall, Fredrick Moore, Ray Mercer, Jeremy McQueen, Michael Leon Thomas and The Buglisi Dance Theatre. She was selected to perform Mr Ailey noted work 'Memoria' with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Company at the New York City Theatre and toured with The Alvin Ailey Junior Company in 2014, NYC. Georgette continued her journey to the UK in 2016 and danced with Scottish Dance Theatre, Russell Maliphant Company, London and Exzeb Dance Company, London. She has worked with Australian Companies, such as; Opera Australia, Austinmer Dance Theatre, DUTI Dance Company, Sydney and Twisted Element Company, Sydney. Georgette has been choreographing and coaching professional and pre-professional dancers at some of Sydney’s leading Full-time Dance Studios in Contemporary, Horton, Ballet and Dance Pilates for over 8 years. Her greatest passion is sharing and educating individuals to discover their bodies in a whole different structure. Combining her International dance experiences and her education in Movement Science, she is a huge advocate for teaching and educating the fundamentals of biomechanics for dance to dancers to train more efficiently and eliminate fatigue, as well as helping individuals rehabilitate from acute or chronic pain or injuries. Currently she is completing a Master’s in Exercise Physiology at UOW to enhance and explore new avenues for individuals to overcome their physical goals. Georgette created DANCEFORMATION, a Specialised Contemporary Dance Program, in 2020, which truly shapes Georgette's values and experiences.
• <

  >
  

  Francesca Gozdek
  Dance Technique & Dance Performance

  Francesca is an international Dance Artist, Choreographer and Producer based in Sydney. She started her training in Italy at Officina Delle Arti, where she studied ballet, modern, contemporary and dance theatre. Whilst training in there, she worked with renowned choreographers such as, Andre De La Roche, Valentina Buldrini, Roberta Fontana and Mauro Astolfi. She then further her studies in contemporary under Adam Parson and Erica Sobol, at Edge Performing Arts Centre, in Los Angeles in 2012. Francesca has offered a position with Sara Buratti as co- choreographer in 2008. This opportunity brought her to work with semi professional dancers across Italy and work with full time dancers from Academia Cecchetti (Italy) (2008-2015) She performed and created numerous short works developing her style in European dance techniques, contact improvisation, movement research and site-specific performance. Francesca is also a certificated teacher of ‘Contact Beyond Contact’ level 2, that incorporates technique of contact improvisation, flying low, passing through, chi gong, yoga. She is also a Progressing Ballet technique certificated teacher. Since 2016 Francesca has worked as a dancer and collaborator, for Twisted Element, an interactive, immersive contemporary company based in Sydney. She has performed in ‘OPUS’ 2017-2018, ‘RITUAL’ 2019, across NSW. This opportunity brought her to perform major roles as soloist and deepen her style in dance theatre and immersive performance. In 2020 she has given the opportunity to directed and choreographed ‘Edge’ a short dance film. In 2020 Francesca founded Interchange Dance Project, an international contemporary dance company that provides opportunity to connect to the dance scenes in Europe, train with contemporary artists in NSW and be part of creative projects such as dance films, collaborations with musicians and site specific performances . She produced and directed the dance film ‘SOMNIA’ with talented dancers from Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney and produced a professional short length site specific work collaborating with musicians and composers. Francesca has a strong passion in teaching, creating and movement research, she loves finding new expressions and she bases her creation on everyday life events. Francesca looks forward to delivering her unique knowledge and artistic experience to Australian dancers.
• <

  >
  

  Fabio Lo Giudice
  Dance Technique

  Fabio Lo Giudice started his training in Italy at the La Scala Ballet school in Milan. A year later Fabio received a full scholarship to train and study at the Royal Ballet School under the direction of Gailene Stock and trained there from 2003-2010. During his time at the school, Fabio took part in numerous productions on secondment with the Royal Ballet company such as Manon and Sleeping Beauty. Upon graduating, Fabio received his first professional ballet contract with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. During his time with the Joffrey Ballet Fabio performed a number of soloist roles dancing in Gerald Arpino’s The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Stravinsky Violin Concerto and Stars and Stripes, Yury Possokov”s Don Quixote and Ronal Hynd”s The Merry Widow. Three years later Fabio received a soloist contract with the Royal New Zealand Ballet where he performed as the Cavalier Prince in The Nutcracker, Balanchine’s Divertimento No.5 and many neo classical pieces such as Jiri Kylian’s Sechs Tanze, Petite Mort, Alexander Ekman’s Cacti & Episode 31 and Roland Petit’s Carmen and L’ Arlessiene. In 2020 Fabio received a Demi-soloist contract with the West Australian Ballet and leading up to his retirement in 2020 Fabio performed in Air and Other Invisible Forces by Graeme Murphy and as Arthur in Krystof Pastor’s Dracula.
• <

  >
  

  Richard Allen
  Performance Production

  Richard James Allen is a director, with Karen Pearlman, of the critically acclaimed Physical TV Company. Leading international innovators in the dance film form over many years, they also create dramas and documentaries informed by scholarly research into the history and the future potential of the cinematic medium. An AACTA-nominated, Dendy, St Kilda, Brisbane and five-time ATOM Award winning writer, director and producer, Richard’s films (including 'Monk: Reloaded', 'Entanglement Theory', 'Thursday’s Fictions', 'No Surrender', 'Down Time Jaz', 'Rubberman Accepts the Nobel Prize' and 'What To Name Your Baby') have been commissioned or purchased for multiple broadcasts by ABC and SBS-TV, and broadcast in China, Europe and on cable TV in the USA. His productions have travelled to well over 300 film festivals on five continents, including most of the major dance film festivals in the world. They have garnered well over 100 awards or nominations, many have attracted grant funding or support through government or philanthropic arts funding bodies, and several have been added to the collections of 10 major film archives around the world.  Recent films he has written and directed include: the short, ‘Digital Afterlives’ (critically compared to Walt Disney’s masterpiece ‘Fantasia’), and the feature, ‘Text Messages from the Universe’, which together have won twelve awards. Recent films he has produced include: Karen Pearlman’s acclaimed ‘Soviet Women Filmmakers Trilogy’ ('Woman with an Editing Bench', 'After the Facts', and ‘I want to make a film about women’), winner of forty awards; Parish Malfitano’s critically lauded psychological thriller ‘Bloodshot Heart’, winner of several awards and nominated for Best Fiction Feature Film at the ATOM Awards; and Samuel Lucas Allen’s CinefestOz Best Director-nominated short, ‘After Saturn’. As a choreographer, Richard has an extensive track record of creating critically lauded works for the stage, including commissioned dance works for New England Computer Arts Association (Boston), The Whitney Museum of American Art at Equitable Center (New York City), Colloquium Contemporary Dance Company (New York City), Dance North (Townsville), Dirty Feet (Sydney), and multiple pieces for That Was Fast (New York City-Sydney) and Tasdance (Launceston), where he was Co-Artistic Director. In addition to his creativity as a writer, director, choreographer, producer, actor and dancer for the screen, Richard is an acclaimed Australian poet.  His latest book, the novel ‘More Lies’, published by Interactive Press in 2021, was, in an earlier incarnation, shortlisted for the Griffin Award for New Australian Playwriting. His latest poetry book, ‘The short story of you and I’, was published by UWA Publishing in 2019. He has also edited a landmark national anthology of writing for performance for Currency Press/RealTime. Richard won the Chancellor’s Award for Most Outstanding PhD Thesis for his doctorate at the University of Technology, Sydney, and graduated with First Class Honours for his B.A. at Sydney University. He has taught for multiple tertiary institutions including AFTRS, NIDA, SFS, ACPE, AMPA, CAPA, WSU. For more information, please see the website of The Physical TV Company: http://physicaltv.com.au
• <

  >
  

  Anca Frankenhaeuser
  Dance Technique & Composition

  Anca performed, taught and choreographed with London Contemporary Dance Theatre for fifteen years touring throughout UK as well as internationally. In Australia since 1990 she has taught extensively in dance schools, colleges and tertiary institutions, has worked on a variety of plays as well as co-creating and performing independent work with likeminded dancers, actors, singers, musicians and visual artists (Open House, Independent Dance Collection, Bodies, Canberra Dance Theatre, to name a few). As a member of Australian Dance Artists she has so far co-created, and performed in, eleven productions collaborating with sculptor Ken Unsworth. Graduating from NIDA in 2005 with a Master of Dramatic Art, Movement Studies, her performance piece and thesis were about legendary dance and movement master Keith Bain. In collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery she co-created Movers & Shakers for the Richard Avedon Exhibition in 2013 and Dances for David in 2016. In August 2016 she presented Long Life, Short Dances in Finland with her partner Patrick Harding-Irmer, with whom she also appeared at BOLD Festival 2017 in Canberra, and in October 2018 at Canberra Dance Theatre’s 40th anniversary performances. In March 2019 she brought three new solos to BOLD II Festival. In July 2018 the short film Solitude, which she choreographed and danced in, had its world premier at The Lincoln Centre, NYC, as part of the Dance On Camera Festival. In March/April 2019 she had her first visual arts exhibition, Wrapsody at SLOT Gallery. She presently works as a deviser/director/choreographer/performer, as well as lecturer/tutor of movement for actors, contemporary dance & choreography.
• <

  >
  

  Erin Barney
  Acro

  Erin is a Sydney based contemporary dancer, physical performer, mentor and instructor. As an independent artist she performs, trains and collaborates with many renowned artists in the industry. From 2016 Erin has toured with Australian Physical Theatre company - Legs On The Wall. Performing and facilitating workshops for Art Festivals both Internationally and Australia wide. In 2019 Erin performed with Physical Theatre company Branch Nebula on their premiere of DEMO. Erin also performs with International circus arts company - Empress Stilt Dance. Past credits include Opera Australia, Ev & Bow, Shaun Parker & Company, Red Earth Arts Festival, Beams Art Festival, Art and About, Sydney Festival, Santiago A Mil. Originally from Tasmania with dreams of joining the circus, Erin grew up with a solid training in dance, gymnastics and acro tumbling. Later to specialise in contemporary dance at Ev & Bow Full-Time Dance Training Centre under mentor Sarah Boulter. Her exploration of Physical Theatre and other circus modalities grew from her involvement with company Legs On The Wall. Her tools of trade include dance, acrobatics, stilts, parkour, trampoline, aerial harness, bungee. Erin is passionate about her craft and loves sharing her knowledge to those eager to learn. She teaches acrobatics/tumbling, contemporary dance and yoga to students of all ages and abilities raging from local dance and yoga schools to Full-Time institutions, professional companies, National and International workshops and art festivals.
• <

  >
  

  Anton
  Dance Technique & Production

  Anton is a mature artist with 24 years of professional experience as a performer, choreographer, producer, project director, dance filmmaker, movement director, rehearsal director and dance teacher. As a performer, he has worked with Dance North, Australian Dance Theatre, Tasdance, Legs on the Wall, Sydney Theatre Company, Australian Opera, Shaun Parker Company and independents Meryl Tankard, Tanja Liedtke and Martin del Amo. Commissions and choreographies include NARCIFIXION (Form Dance Projects,2021), Found (Sydney Arts Quartet, 2019) Supermodern - Dance of Distraction (Form Dance Projects, 2012), IOU (Spring Dance 2012, Sydney Opera House), Durak (Campbelltown Arts Centre, 2012), Beautiful Noise (Brisbane Arts Festival, 2011), Compact Homo Sapien (TanzFestival Ingolstadt, Germany, 2010), Capacity (WAPPA, 2010), The Blur (Tasdance, 2009) and Freedom to Launch (Sydney Opera House Education Unit, 2007). Anton Project Directed the 2014 Australian Dance Awards and the Opening Bloc Party for Parramasala 2013. Anton’s dance films have been screened nationally and internationally, receiving awards Kosice Film Festival (2020) and International Music Video Underground (2020) and nominations at the Australian Dance Awards (2006) and REEL DANCE (2004). As a Rehearsal Director, Anton worked with Bangarra Dance Theatre (2015 – 2018) and recently worked with FLING Physical Theatre as Dance Development Officer.   As a dance educator Anton has taught numerous professional dance companies, tertiary institutions and dance schools including Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Legs on the Wall, Tasdance, Expressions Dance Company, Dance North, Australian Dance Theatre, Opera Australia, Sydney Theatre Company and Beijing Modern Dance LTDX, Brent Street, Ev and Bow, NAISDA College, Western Academy of Performing Arts and Queensland University of Technology.
• <

  >
  

  Marina Tamayo
  Dance Performance

  Marina Tamayo is a Spanish Sydney based multi nominated and award winning Flamenco artist. She is recognized for her 'Outstanding Achievement in Choreography' and her 38 years of 'Service to Dance' in Australia, by the Australian Dance Awards. Tamayo performs as a soloist and produces and choreographs for varying platforms including theatre, commercial cabaret venues, fashion, independent television, and film. Her signatory choreographic work investigates and explores contemporary narratives drawn from authentic gypsy gitano storytelling using both ballet technique and traditional Flamenco discourse. In 1998, Tamayo formed Flamenco Australia. The purpose of this company is to create, expand & promote Spanish dance and music for Australian audience engagement. This is achieved by engaging Australian audiences in either performances, research, education and training. Tamayo has had an extensive forty year career. It includes choreography, internationally teaching and performing. The 2022 career highlights include, collaboration with artist Aitor Hernandez from the National Ballet of Spain for 4 major international touring works; casted as soloist and choreographer in former Artistic Director of the American Ballet and Paris Ballet Benjamin Millepeads feature dance film, Carmen, invited as guest soloist at National Art Gallery Picasso exhibition opening, collaboration with Victor Zarallo former dancer of Sydney Dance Company and The Scottish Ballet in AusdanceNSW DAIR residency. As an active NSW dance community member, Tamayo is on the standing committee of AusdanceNSW, a registered Dance Teacher with the NSW Dept of Education, involved in PhD research and working freelance as a solo artist and choreographer. Furthet academics include; a Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Audio Engineering – SAE, Assoc. Graduate Diploma Information Systems Design – TAFE, Implementation and Design, TAFE SA, Graduate Certificates in Project Management, Contract Law, Negotiations, Business Systems Analysis TAFE, Certificate in Fitness Leadership (Theory) TAFE, Certificates AMEB Pianoforte & Theory – SA Conservatorium of Music, Certificates RAD /Cechetti Elementary, Music Composition, School of Music, Production Engineering SAE.
• <

  >
  

  Belinda Hernandez
  Dance Technique & Dance Performance

  Belinda Hernandez started her formal ballet training in 1987 at the age of 15 with the Beverley Rowles School of Dance in Wollongong before being accepted into The Australian Ballet School in 1989. After graduating she joined The Australian Ballet in 1992. During her time with the company, she danced many soloist and principal roles and worked with notable dancers and choreographers. On moving to England in 1994 Belinda spent a few months with the Northern Ballet Theatre. In that same year she accepted a contract with English National Ballet under the directorship of Derek Deane OBE. In 1998 she was promoted to Soloist and went on to dance a full range of principal roles with the company. Her debuted as the Sugar Plum Fairy was ravishing and raved over. “Her beautiful lines, quick footwork and engaging personality made her an audience favourite.” A memorable moment was being painted in bronze from head-to-toe for a Degas celebration and photographed by the renowned Lord Snowdon, but one of her greatest experiences with the company was to work with skating superstar Christopher Dean in Encounters, a short ballet about his life. She was cast to portray his ice-dancing partner, Jayne Torvill, and to dance with The Australian Ballet's principal dancer, Greg Horsman. In January 1999 she was featured as "dancer of the month" in UK-based Dancing Times. Not long after, she accepted a Principal contract with Japan’s K-BALLET COMPANY becoming a founding member. She thoroughly enjoyed her experience of touring and performing extensively throughout Japan and having the opportunity to work with the company’s founder and Artistic Director, Tetsuya Kumakawa. In 2000 Belinda travelled to New York and joined the Metropolitan Opera. Belinda was one of the first dancers selected to model for the French ballet brand Wear Moi and her silhouette is still used on their logo to this day. Since returning to Australia and basing herself in Sydney with her two children, her love of dance transitioned to a rewarding career as a much sorted and in demand classical ballet teacher and coach.
• <

  >
  

  Andii
  Dance Performance

  Andrew 'Andii' Huynh at a very young age self taught himself through video tapes, music videos through the iconic artist such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake etc He knew dance was his first love and was where he wanted to be. At the age of 13, He attended Glenda Yee school of dance. At age 16, He moved to Newtown High School of Performing Arts focusing on Ballet and Contemporary while still attending Glenda Yee. After completing his HSC, Andii continued his training at Wesley Institute and received his Bachelor Degree of dance in 2014. Over the years, Andii has participated many projects and performances including X-factor, Jessie J, Keiynan Lonsdale, Ke$ha, Guy Sebastian, Redbull, Avon, Sony, Dr Lewinns, Heineken, Mardi Gras, Miss Chinese Cosmos Pageant Grand Final and The "Bee Movie" Launch, Assistant Choreographer for So You think You Can Dance Australia. He has worked with Tony Czar, Andre Fuentes, Kevin Maher, Erica Sobol, Gerran Reese, Rosa Agius, Tiana Canterbury and Stephen Tannos. He was one of the principals dancers for Tannos + Choice and One ‘Dancing for Jane’, Andrew has also choreographed a few theatre productions- such as Love is love (Dance Editorial) and Music in Motion ( A-Live entertainment).
• <

  >
  

  Angela Hamilton
  Dance Performance

  From childhood Angela had an interest in art and movement, starting with a passion for visual art, and her own self-directed hobby of lounge room based interpretive dance. Later this grew into a serious pursuit when she started dance classes at Byron School of Dance, and continuing on to Newtown High School of Performing Arts and later Brent Street, The National Theatre Ballet School and Ev & Bow. Throughout the years Angela has had the privilege of training and working with worldrenowned companies and choreographers throughout Europe, UK and USA. In 2011 Angela founded Twisted Element. Between 2011-13 she created four full-length works as well as several commissioned short works. Over the years she has enjoyed dancing freelance in between choreographing. She has danced lead roles in music videos for Sydney band ‘Siems’ and UK pop singer ‘L.E.A’ in her hit song ‘Flick’, as well as having lead dancing roles in TVCs for brands like Samsung. In 2014 Angela moved to the UK to further develop her artistic practice. Here, she began working as an art, fashion and specialist dance model, eventually touring nationally and internationally. In 2015, she was invited to present workshops teaching photographers dance aesthetics for the camera with renowned photography trainer Andrew Appleton. This also saw the pair being invited to The Johannesburg Photo and Film Expo where Angela delivered live stage presentations on dance for photography. In London, she was cast in the multimedia symphony ‘The Infinite Bridge’ with Director Peter Cox and choreographer Stina Sommerlade in its world premiere. During this period Angela also worked with Hack Ballet under the directorship of Briar Adams, performing during London Fashion Week. In 2015, she was commissioned to choreograph her piece ‘Bird Woman’ for Transform Dance Company in London. Angela also toured the UK teaching workshops in dance colleges, was guest teacher for the prestigious ‘Cecchetti Associate Program’ at The Rambert School in London and presented her own creative professional workshops ‘Speaking Movement’ at Islington Arts Centre. Since moving back to Australia, Angela is excited to be making work again, relaunching Twisted Element as an immersive dance theatre company comprising of 10 professional dancers in Sydney. Since 2017, Angela has created ‘Opus’ and ‘Ritual’, establishing her as a ‘choreographer to watch’ by dance critics. Angela also loves working with youth, having been an instructor and choreographer for the NSW State Ensemble’s Senior and Primary companies since 2017. Angela has also led many workshops and audition sessions for the Arts Units programs. From 2018-2021, Angela was the Artistic Director of Wild Hearts Youth Dance Co with the mission to equip the next generation of dance artists with ingenuity, innovativeness and the tenacity to thrive in the future dance world. Angela is a passionate and active independent choreographer determined to create connection and community through the collective experience of performance. Using edgy, stylised, multi-faceted layering of many elements to create immersive, interactive and highly provocative dance theatre, she seeks to continually push the boundaries of what dance and performance can be.
• <

  >
  

  Norman Hall
  Dance Composition & History

  During his extensive dance career Norman has worked as a performer, choreographer, teacher, director and producer. Norman’s teachers include Dance icons Margaret Chapple, Valrene Tweedie, Elisabeth Dalman and Jennifer Barry-Knox. Norman has freelanced around Australia creating for companies such as Ballet Victoria, Queensland Ballet and Tanya Pearsons Sydney City Ballet before forming his own group called Busybodies. He has taught actors at NIDA and Australian Theatre for Young People. Norman has toured both nationally and internationally. In Australia he has also worked on the syllabus advisory committee for the Board of Studies as planner for the current HSC syllabus
• <

  >
  

  Victor Zarallo
  Dance Technique & Dance Performance

  Originally from Barcelona, Victor began competing in Ballroom Dancing from the age of nine and was awarded Spanish National Champion at age fourteen. At the age of fifteen years Victor began studying Ballet at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany, before joining the Royal Ballet School in London, England, where he graduated in 2008. Victor joined the Scottish Ballet in 2008 and was promoted to soloist in 2014. During this time Victor danced in Cinderella (The Prince) choreographer Christopher Hampson, Swan Lake (The Prince) choreographer David Dawson, Peirrot Lunaire choreographer Glen Tetley, Jiri Kylian1420, and The Five Tangos choreographer Hans van Manen, amongst others. Victor moved to Australia and joined Sydney Dance Company in 2018. Victor is an RAD certified teacher. https://victorzarallo.com
• <

  >
  

  Lee-Anne Litton
  Contact Improvisation

  Lee-Anne’s career in the arts begun with falling in love with Contact Improvisation and Aerial Arts, her curiosity in deepening her knowledge in both these forms continues to fuel her ongoing creative research. Her experience performing and creating works expands nationally and internationally from intermit shows to large-scale spectacles across forms of Dance, Circus and Physical Theatre. Working with Stalker Theatre Lee-Anne has been apart of the creation of a decade of works, including the recently performed “Mountain”, Adelaide 2021. During her term as Artistic Director of Legs on The Wall she co-created “Highly Sprung” for Art and About Sydney 2017, which has toured both nationally and internationally. With her own company Strings Attached she co-created the work “All That We Are “ that saw 30 Western Sydney Community members and trained aerialists performing in a large-scale aerial spectacle for The Real festival, Penrith 2019. www.stringsattached.com.au Lee-Anne has developed a strong technical practice that is reflected in her work as well as on the classes she regularly teaches. Her teaching credits include; Strings Attached, Stalker, LOTW, Force Majeure, Aerialize, Touch Compass Co, Dance Integrated Australia, InsideOutside Theatre, SYDC PPY, ACPE, USNW, VCA, NIDA.
• <

  >
  

  Tony Osborne
  Theatre Skills

  Tony Osborne (BA Hons) is a multi-discipline performance artist. He has been leading improvisation workshops in Australia since 2002. His 40 years of performance experience spans a wide range of forms from theatre, dance and music to conceptual art. He has performed & directed rehearsals for Roman Ondak’s Swap in Sydney, Basel, Shanghai and New York. He is a long-standing member of Splinter Orchestra (vocals & electronics), and a duet project, O/F with saxophonist, Andrew Fedorovich. He performed in several productions for Still Moves Dance Laboratory & Perth Theatre Company in Perth in the 1980s & 1990s and as part of Nikki Heywood’s ensemble (Sydney) from 1996 to 2000. He has a wide experience and ongoing practice in improvising sound & movement and his ongoing teaching practice of body-based, vocal/narrative improvisation continues in Sydney. He is also organiser of the annual Canberra improvisation event, Precipice and bass singer with the Sydney University Graduate Choir.
• <

  >
  

  Fumi Somehara
  Body Science

  Fumi Somehara, Accredited Practicing Dietitian. B.Sc (Nutrition)(Hons.)/B.AppSc (ExSpSc) Fumi is a dietitian (APD) with special interest and experience in Dance Nutrition, Eating Disorders Prevention and Treatment, and Health at Every Size. She has worked with dancers for more than 10 years. Fumi is currently the Principal Dietitian at DDD Centre for Recovery, a private practice dedicated to helping individuals with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns, with a focus on dancers and performing artists. Fumi’s professional work has been presented at conferences and workshops both in Australia and internationally. Memberships: Dietitians Australia; Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders; HAES Australia
• <

  >
  

  Daryl Morante
  Dance Technique

  Daryl ‘D.MO’ Morante. D.Mo Dance Classes are Hip Hop infused with a plethora of influences spanning from his 25 year dance career. Learning from the OG’s of Hip Hop and street styles, he is also equipped with technical knowledge (Jazz, Contemporary and Yoga) and has embodied many cultural styles (Filipino Folk, Dancehall, Bollywood, K-Pop). Never expect the same thing in his classes. For his most noticeable moments in his career, he was contracted as the lead role for the live theatrical adaptation of the popular Hip Hop “STEP UP” movie franchise in Dubai. He was principle dancer for the approved “Michael Jackson Legacy Tour” and a back-up dancer for many famous Artists from China, Vietnam, Philippines and India. He was the movement coach and choreographer for boy band The Collective (X-Factor) and has contributed choreography for “So You Think You Can Dance Australia”. In addition, he is in one of Australia’s best Bollywood dance companies called Sirens Dance.
• <

  >
  

  Margie Medlin
  Performance Production

  Margie Medlin (AUS/ GB) has 20 years of international teaching and mentoring experience, specialist workshops themes have included, lighting design, dance film making, experimental film-making, dance and technology, developing the relationship between performance and visual art. Margie has recently been teaching lighting to dance students at the VCA, Victorian College of the Arts and the UdK, the University of the Arts in Berlin teaching. Margie has collaborated with many choreographers and directors including Ros Warby, Sandra Parker, Rebecca Hilton, Lucy Guerin, Carol Brown, Russell Dumas, Russell Maliphant, John Jaspers, Ong Keng Sen and Gideon Obarzanek and mentored many young dance-makers in Australia and internationally through informal laboratories and programs. Margie has a diverse biography in dance, as Director of Critical Path, Australia’s leading centre for choreographic research, Sydney, 2007 to 2015. Margie’s program was dedicated to instigation of innovative platforms for choreographers and interdisciplinary artists. Her own work specialises relationship between dance and the moving image. Throughout her practice she has continued to experiment and forge new ground aesthetically, collaboratively and technically. She has created many and varied multi-screen movement performance and installations using early analogue technologies (35 mm slide projection, super 8 projection and 16 mm projection) thru to state of the art high end digitally controlled systems utilizing live video, motion capture, motion control technologies and Robotics. Her media artwork has been exhibited extensively including India, the USA, Cuba, Australia, Germany, the UK, Japan and Finland.
• <

  >
  

  Sally Harrison
  Safe Movement Practice

  Sally is a state registered physiotherapist and personal trainer. She was born and educated in the UK and commenced her working career as a professional freelance dancer with contracts in the UK, Europe and America. Following a sudden retirement due to knee surgery, she began her journey in physiotherapy and exercise rehab in 2002. It was at this time that she qualified in Pilates and personal training and realised the immense benefits from this form of strength training for the dancing body. She has been working as a physio for dancers since 2008, and has worked with musicals such as Evita, West Side Story, and with the Bangarra Dance Theatre here in Sydney. She launched her second business 'Strength4Dance' in 2018 which has everything the dancer needs to prevent injury and create a strong body for a lifetime of dance. She has 2 dance specific training programmes for the studio and her first book launched in 2021 which guides the dancer on how to manage their body, from breathing through to high level strength and movement training. She also presents at many national conferences for both the dance and health and fitness communities ( Cecchetti, ATOD, SADF, RAD, FILEX, FITEX and Healthy Aging Summit) and is a clinical Pilates educator (APPI) and ViPR master trainer.
• <

  >
  

  Kathy Cogill
  Yoga

  Kathy originally came to discover yoga through her career as a dancer and has been practicing for over twenty years. She began teaching in 1997, and now teaches throughout Sydney for yoga schools and dance companies. corporate, retreats and private classes. Her training began with Simon Borg-Oliver (Yoga Synergy) and Trevor Tanguey (Yoga Moves), she furthered her studies in Brussels with Jean-Paul Garnier, and completed her teacher training Levels I & II with Byron Yoga Centre. She has a Diploma in Dance from the Victorian College of the Arts, 1986 and Degree in Acting from NIDA, 2001, and worked for many years in contemporary dance companies in both Australia and Europe, performing throughout Europe, the U.S.A. and South America. In Europe, she taught at Corpus Studios in Brussels, yoga for dancers and actors in workshops at the Festival de Danse de Lyon, Festivale Internationale de Dansa in Rome, Festival d’Avignon, American Dance Festival, amongst others. In Sydney, she has taught for Yoga Solutions, Yoga Source, Life and Balance, NIDA, Bangarra and many corporate organisations. She choreographed and coordinated ‘KARUNESH’, a work combining dance and yoga for Sydney Festival Opening Night, 2009. Kathy teaches Vinyasa Flow, moving through the practice with the fluidity of the constant breath. She teaches Movement to Actors at the University of Wollongong and yoga for Sydney Dance Company, Elixr and Virgin Active.
• <

  >
  

  George Makras
  Performance Production

  George (Grad.Dip.Mus) is a long-time member of the AIM Audio and Composition & Music Production Departments, teaching the Digital Technology units – this deals with the use of digital audio workstations – the main environment for the audio and music production professional. George has extensive knowledge in music production, composition and audio, in 2006 George was certified as a Level One Apple Certified Pro Logic Trainer & Level One Apple Train the Trainer. George is an accomplished programmer and electronic music composer. He also teaches other areas of digital media such as web design, image capture and editing. He has travelled extensively thru India and Nepal on several occasions as a field Audio Engineer with the GEOS project. George has performed extensively with the Sydney University Gamelan Ensemble, the Sydney Institute of Technology Ensemble "SITE" and was a member of Sydney indie band "Fred the Bison".
• <

  >
  

  Em Prof Greg Whateley
  Chair, Board of Directors

  Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is currently Deputy Vice Chancellor, Group Colleges Australia researching and writing in the areas of Quality Management and eQuality. Greg retired from Teaching Research, Management and Leadership in October 2019. He is author of more than 320 external publications and advises and writes in the areas of accreditation, quality assurance, government reporting, eLearning, mLearning, bLearning and hLearning. He is currently a Member of the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change; a Reviewer for the British Educational Research Journal; a Reviewer for IGI Global; Co-Editor of the GCA Publication Series; Chair of the Board of Directors, Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts; Chair of the Academic and Examination Board of Stanfort Academy (Singapore); Chair of the Academic Senate of UBSS; Chair of the Academic Board of the Australian Guild of Music Education; Member of the Elite Education Council; Director, Group Colleges Australia; and Chair and President, Musicum20. Greg is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders; a Fellow of the Australian College of Research; and a Fellow of the UBSS Centre for Scholarship and Research.
• <

  >
  

  Noel Cislowski AM
  Board of Directors

  FSDA, CSCA, FTCL, LTCL, LSDA, BA (Hons), AEd Noel Cislowski AM studied speech, drama and singing at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Mr Cislowski has been a teacher of gifted and talented students in both Queensland and New South Wales. He was an adviser in speech and drama for the NSW Department of Education before being appointed Head of the Speech and Drama Branch and Leader of the Creative and Practical Arts team in curriculum development. Mr Cislowski has lectured in drama, music and mathematics at the Australian School of Pacific Administration, the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and the Australian Catholic University. He has been a private teacher and coach in speech and drama and in voice. As a performer, Mr Cislowski has played lead roles in musical comedy and has also acted with theatre groups in both Queensland and New South Wales. He has appeared with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in both singing and speaking solo performances. Mr Cislowski has adjudicated in speech, drama, vocals and instrumental performance in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and New Zealand. In 2016, Mr Cislowski was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the performing arts. In the same year, he was named Willoughby Citizen of the Year. In recognition of his work on stage productions with school students in the Sydney Town Hall and the Sydney Opera House, Mr Cislowski was awarded the Red Cross Medal for Meritorious Service. He received the RSL Special Award for his work in preparing student speakers for the Anzac Service over a period of 20 years. Positions held Past President – Music Teachers’ Association of NSW Past President – Speech & Drama Association of NSW Life Member and Patron – Speech & Drama Association of NSW Former Deputy Chairman – NIDA Board of Studies (1972–2002) Director and Deputy Chairman – Sydney Eisteddfod Committee Past President – Friends of Zenith Theatre Chairman – Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Advisory Committee National Coordinator – Plain English Speaking Award Past President – Rotary Club of Chatswood
• <

  >
  

  Toni Cody
  Board of Directors
• <

  >
  

  Richard Arnold
  Board of Directors
• <

  >
  

  Joanne Grace Kim
  Board of Directors
• <

  >
  

  Em Prof Anthony Greville Shannon AM
  Chair, Academic Board
• <

  >
  

  Em Prof John Painter
  Academic Board
• <

  >
  

  Simon Kenway
  Academic Board
• <

  >
  

  Renee Goossens
  Academic Board
• <

  >
  

  Sophie Takatsuka
  Admissions & Administration
• <

  >
  

  Kate Garrett
  Administration/Studio Officer
• <

  >
  

  Chris Ventura
  Admissions & Events
• <

  >
  

  Wenny Tan
  Multimedia Specialist
• <

  >
  

  David Zappia
  Audio/Technical Facilities Officer