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.
Prof Ian Bofinger Executive Dean / CEO
Issac Chung LeeChief Operating Officer
Dr Elizabeth Jones Head of Music
Dr Maya GavishHead of Department - Dance
Adj Prof Jamie Rigg Contemporary Performance
Gavin AhearnContemporary & Jazz
Diana RouvasVoice (Contemporary & Jazz)
Victor RoundsProduction & Bass Guitar
Simon WardMusic Theatre & Voice
Hans-Dieter MichatzClassical Music
Trish Delaney-BrownMusic Theatre & Voice
Dan Wallace-CrabbeContemporary & World Music
Michael QuigleyDrums (Contemporary & Jazz)
Alice GirleVoice
Lucy Bailes Voice
Anton KochHarmony & Composition, History
Em Prof Greg WhateleyArts Management
Wendy Anggerani Ensemble & Keyboard
Paul BrownGuitar
Harvey O'SullivanAudio Technology
Briana CowlishawVoice (Contemporary & Jazz)
Arax MansourianVoice (Classical)
Jo ElmsVoice (Contemporary & Jazz)
Quang Hong LuuPiano (Classical)
Claire TrevelyanHarmony & Analysis, History
Dr. Wojciech WisniewskiPiano & Classical Performance
Grant SambellsClassical Guitar
Ed SchotsBass Guitar, Saxophone and Flute
Dominik PrzywaraViolin (Classical)
Tracey O’LearyWoodwind (Classical)
Jinwon ChangOrchestral Conducting and Brass, International Engagement Advisor
Christina HanRépétiteur & Accompanist
Scott LamPiano
Tim CunniffeRépétiteur & Accompanist
Tracey O’LearyRegistrar / Librarian
Sean MoloneyEar Training
John RouvasVoice
Long Vuong Voice, French Horn
Evie MorrisDance Technique & Performance
Fabio Lo GiudiceDance Technique & Performance
Alysia JarvisDance Technique & Performance
Ariella CasuDance Technique
Anca FrankenhaeuserDance Technique & Composition
Richard Allen
Lee-Anne Litton
Tim FarrarDance Technique
Erin Barney Acro
Norman HallDance Composition & History
AntonDance Technique & Production
AndiiDance Performance
Angela HamiltonDance Performance
Zac JaffarDance Technique
Francesca GozdekDance Technique
Josie FrickDance Technique & Performance
Victor Zarallo
Rodrigo Salcedo Jr.Dance Technique & Performance
Brad CarterDance, Music Theatre
Fumi SomeharaBody Science
Margie Medlin Performance Production
Genevieve SchusterSafe Movement Practices
George MakrasProduction
Margaret Kaye
Kathy CogillYoga
Em Prof Greg WhateleyChair, 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
Jaudyn Cavanagh MARKCOM
Kate GarrettAdministration/Studio Officer
Chris VenturaMARKCOM / Events
Wenny Tan Multimedia Specialist
David Zappia Technical Facilities Officer
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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 LeeChief Operating Officer
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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 GavishHead 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 AhearnContemporary & Jazz
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Diana RouvasVoice (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 RoundsProduction & 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. -
Simon WardMusic Theatre & Voice
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Hans-Dieter MichatzClassical Music
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Trish Delaney-BrownMusic 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). -
Dan Wallace-CrabbeContemporary & World Music
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Michael QuigleyDrums (Contemporary & Jazz)
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Alice GirleVoice
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 KochHarmony & Composition, History
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Em Prof Greg WhateleyArts 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. -
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. -
Paul BrownGuitar
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Harvey O'SullivanAudio Technology
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Briana CowlishawVoice (Contemporary & Jazz)
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Arax MansourianVoice (Classical)
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Jo ElmsVoice (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 LuuPiano (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 TrevelyanHarmony & Analysis, History
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Dr. Wojciech WisniewskiPiano & 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 SambellsClassical 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. -
Ed SchotsBass Guitar, Saxophone and Flute
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Dominik PrzywaraViolin (Classical)
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Tracey O’LearyWoodwind (Classical)
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Jinwon ChangOrchestral Conducting and Brass, International Engagement Advisor
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Christina HanRépétiteur & Accompanist
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Scott LamPiano
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Tim CunniffeRépétiteur & 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. -
Tracey O’LearyRegistrar / Librarian
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Sean MoloneyEar Training
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John RouvasVoice
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. -
Evie MorrisDance Technique & Performance
Genevieve is a graduate of the AMPA Bachelor of Dance course. Highly qualified and artistically gifted Genevieve has been performing and teaching extensively throughout Australia, USA and England and has experience teaching all age groups. She has a great passion for sharing her knowledge with younger students, and constantly strives to further her practice and support the performing arts community. Genevieve offers our students the benefits of her extensive knowledge and performance experience. Genevieve’s performance and creative career is extensive, on stage and in film. She has worked with professional companies and choreographers such as Dancing Under The Influence, Limitless Dance Company, Ramon Doringo, Kay Armstrong, Kobi Rozenfeld, Mathew Mizyed, Mitchell Turnbull, Omer Backley-Astrachan and many more. She has also performed and choreographed music videos for artists Emma Louise and Lisa Mitchell, as well as working on short films and live performances with directors Dylan Duclos, Vanessa Gazi and Cecile Payet. Genevieve’s other credits include; Canon Photography Australia, Pageant Of The World, Form Dance Projects, Ausdance NSW and Short+Sweet Festival. -
Fabio Lo GiudiceDance Technique & Performance
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. -
Alysia JarvisDance 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. -
Ariella CasuDance Technique
She has worked on productions by many leading choreographers including Alexander Ekman, William Forsythe and Edward Clug and participated in a project for Jo Strømgren Kompani in Oslo. Moved to Sydney in 2018 to join Sydney Dance Company. For SDC she appeared in works by Melanie Lane, Gabrielle Nankivell, Prue Lang, Anthony Hamilton and Rafael Bonachela. Most recently she took part in the creative process for Carmen, a contemporary version of Bizet’s opera filmed in Australia early this year. She performed and doubled as Carmen for Benjamin Millepied, making his directorial debut. Ariella’s choreographic credits include Arise for the Sydney Dance Company ensemble. She still works for Benjamin Millepied on a project base, and is part of The Sydney Choreographic Centre directed by Francesco Ventriglia in Sydney where she danced as the lead in GRIMM and took the role as Rehearsal Director. -
Anca FrankenhaeuserDance 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. -
Richard Allen
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 -
Lee-Anne Litton
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. -
Tim FarrarDance Technique
Timothy Farrar, a graduate of The Australian Ballet School performed with the Queensland Ballet Company between 1996 and 2000, touring to the United States. It was at this time he choreographed his first work Into Collision and also had his choreography featured in the short film Ballet Boys. In 2001 Timothy joined The Australian Ballet and worked there until 2007. Touring with the company to China, Japan and the UK. While performing with The Australian Ballet he continued his choreographic development creating three works for the BodyTorque seasons over 3 consecutive years. 2003 saw Timothy travel to Singapore after being commissioned to create a work with Singapore Dance Theatre. In 2006/2007 while at The Australian Ballet Timothy received a travelling choreographic scholarship to observe companies such as Nederlands Dance Theatre , Scapino Ballet and Rambert Dance . In late 2007 Timothy joined Sydney Dance Company performing various featured roles. In 2008 he was involved as a cast member on the film version of Maos Last Dancer. 2009 saw Timothy in a lead role performing as Older Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical. From 2010-2012 Timothy toured to Edinburgh Festival with Opera Australia and their award winning production of Bliss. He also performed featured roles in multiple season of contemporary dance work Where the Heart Is – an Expressions Dance Company (EDC) production. The company won an Australian Dance Award for this work during Timothy’s time performing the piece. In early 2011 he created No Place Nowhere for EDCs Launch Pad season, while in July 2011 he created Pint Size for the graduating year of the QUT Dance program. In addition to his dancing and choreographic career over the past ten years Timothy has been developing his filmmaking talents by creating several short dance films with artists from The Australian Ballet, Expressions Dance Company and various freelance dance artists. He has completed a Graduate Certificate in Screen Culture at AFTRS Sydney culminating in the creation of his first full length dance Documentary The House Project. In 2012 he returned to Edinburgh Festival with Leigh Warren and Dancers to perform in the Double Bill of Breathe (Frances Rings) and Impulse (Leigh Warren). From the beginning of 2013 , after retiring from performing,Timothy has been in demand as a Classical and Contemporary Teacher and coach. In addition to this he also coaches Full-Time students in both classical and contemporary Pas de deux. In 2014 Timothy worked in conjunction with both SBS and twenty10 as a Creative Director for both of their Mardi Gras entries. 2017 saw him create a new contemporary work Tether for Austinmer Dance Theatre and complete his CERT.IV in Training and Assessment. From 2017- 2020 he was employed as a teacher and choreographer at Joanne Grace School of Dance ,Dance Development Centre and Newtown High School of Performing Arts. Most recently he was invited to teach technique and repertoire at McDonald College for their International Summer School, 2021. -
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. -
Norman HallDance 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 -
AntonDance 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. -
AndiiDance 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 HamiltonDance 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. -
Zac JaffarDance Technique
Zac trained at Tisch University of Performing Arts, New York, completing a Bachelor of Musical Arts ni Musical Theatre and Choreography. Zac trained in ballet, jazz, jazz technique, labanotation, contemporary and tap and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. Zac is an accomplished dancer, singer and actor and choreographer. His theatre and television credits include: Grease the Arena Spectacular (Australia and New Zealand), Maui the Musical (Japan Touring Company), Into the Woods, The King and I (New York), Kiss of the Spider Woman and Pyjamas Games. Zac has taught masterclasses and dance workshops locally and internationally. -
Francesca GozdekDance Technique
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. -
Josie FrickDance Technique & Performance
Born in Sydney, started dancing at the age of 4 at The Dance Spot, she was accepted into the Australian Ballet Interstate junior program at the age of 9. Went to Newtown High School of the Performing Arts for 2 years before being accepted into The Australian Ballet School full time program at 14. Then at 16 was accepted into The Royal Ballet School in London where she moved and graduated there at 18years old. She had the incredible opportunity the work with The Royal Ballet company in their season of Manon and Birmingham Royal Ballet production of the Nutcracker before getting a full time contract with English National Ballet Company. She was fortunate to tour around Europe and America performing Swan Lake by Derek Deane, Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev, Nutcracker by Wayne Eagling, Le Corsaire by Anna-Marie Holmes. Then decided to move back home o Australian to join Queensland Ballet. Josie had the wonderful opportunity to work closely with Australian and international choreographers in productions of La Bayadère by Greg Horsman, Fire Bird by Liam Scarlett, Carmen by Carlos Acosta, Swan Lake by Ben Stevenson, Lunar by Rani Luther (Original Cast), Nocturne by Jack Lister (Original Cast, Soloist role) After she decided to hang up the pointe shoes and move back home to Sydney to pursue her love of teaching. -
Victor Zarallo
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. -
Rodrigo Salcedo Jr.Dance Technique & Performance
Rodrigo is a key figure in the Sydney street dance scene as a teacher, performer, choreographer and social dancer and he endeavours to share his knowledge and joy for the dance with his students. He owes his appreciation for music and dance to his teachers which have shaped his understanding and teaching methods. His main influences being Ejoe, Marjory, Brian Green, Sugapop, Mr. Wiggles, Greg Campbellock Jr and Willie Estrada just to name a few. His fascination for street dance, has taken him to NYC (2007, 2010), Toronto (2010), Tokyo (2012), Makati & Taipei (2013). Rodrigo has taught at numerous dance studios in Sydney: Brent St (Fox Studios), Urban Dance Centre, Brooke Henderson, Dance Central, Vogue, Dancekool, Crossover and DUTI just to name a few. He has also taught the Bachelor of Dance students at Wesley Institute (on and off between 2009 - 2014) . Currently, he is the Hip-Hop Dance Technique teacher of the Bachelor of Dance students at AMPA. Furthermore, he has assisted many dance crews and individual dancers in refining their craft. His classes will always focus on rhythm and music appreciation with the body as well as quality of movement, sharing his pursuit for a thorough and richer understanding of music and dance. -
Brad CarterDance, Music Theatre
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Fumi SomeharaBody 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 -
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. -
Genevieve SchusterSafe Movement Practices
Genevieve started her career as a professional ballet dancer in Cape Town, South Africa. She danced for CAPAB (now Cape Town City Ballet) where some of her favourite roles included Gerda in the Snow Queen, the Blue Bird Pas de Deux in Sleeping Beauty and Kitri in Don Quixote. After hanging up her pointe shoes, Genevieve went on to complete a Bachelor of Business Science at the University of Cape Town and has worked for several large corporations in Cape Town, London and Sydney. While living in Singapore, Genevieve trained to be a STOTT Pilates Instructor and has completed all levels of training in this methodology, with a particular focus on Injuries and Rehab. Returning to Sydney, she successfully ran her own private Pilates studio in Chatswood, while also certifying to become a GYROTONIC Method Instructor. With a particular interest in dance conditioning, Genevieve is a trained PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) teacher and has completed Lisa Howell’s Dance Teacher and Health Professional training, as well as recently attaining certification in Progressing Contemporary Technique (PCT). Genevieve is keen to give dancers a better understanding of their bodies and provide them with a mixed toolkit of conditioning strategies to prevent injury and ensure they have a long and happy dance career. -
George MakrasProduction
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". -
Margaret Kaye
Margaret Kaye has been teaching the Feldenkrais Method of Movement for some time now. As a certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner, Assistant Trainer, and mentor she has run an active practice since graduation from the Melbourne Feldenkrais Professional Training Program in 1991. Due to an occupational injury when she was in her 20’s Margaret was told she could never work again, and was indeed unable to work for several years. This is now a speciality area, amongst others. The practice which changed her recovery was the Feldenkrais Method, which focuses on not only the area of injury but how one can learn to move with attention to the whole bodies’ patterns. As part of her recovery she took up dancing and became a performer in the tap dancing groups: the Blister Sisters and Fredastairs and eventually taught tap in Newtown. Margaret also specialises in working with performers, such as actors, musicians, dancers and athletes. For example she developed a program called Running Easy. She has taught Awareness through Movement® classes in various tertiary educational institutions including: the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), both with actors in Dramatic Arts and musicians in the Body Awareness for Musicians class; with dancers at Wesley Institute (now Excelsia College) and actors at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). Margaret has a Studio in Newtown where she also works with individuals who want to move to improve with Functional Integration® lessons; provides corporate programs for the prevention of work related injuries in offices, workplace assessments and consultancy for business through the Smart Sitting© program and provides continuing education and training for Feldenkrais practitioners and students. -
Kathy CogillYoga
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. -
Em Prof Greg WhateleyChair, 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. 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. -
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
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Richard Arnold Board of Directors
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Joanne Grace Kim Board of Directors
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Em Prof Anthony Greville Shannon AM Chair, Academic Board
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Em Prof John Painter Academic Board
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Simon Kenway Academic Board
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Renee Goossens Academic Board
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Jaudyn Cavanagh MARKCOM
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Kate GarrettAdministration/Studio Officer
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Chris VenturaMARKCOM / Events
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Wenny Tan Multimedia Specialist
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David Zappia Technical Facilities Officer
