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A new era for BSYO

Younger students finally making the big step and joining the BlueScope Youth Orchestra.
With many of our senior orchestral musicians moving to Sydney and beyond to commence university studies, it is an interesting stage for our BlueScope Youth Orchestra. Many young students who started learning to play just prior to Covid in 2020,  are now emerging as the next generation of musicians for WollCon’s flagship orchestra.

“It’s been wonderful to see our younger students finally making the big step up after Covid restrictions impacted much of their earlier years of ensemble training. The staff have worked tirelessly since 2022 to ensure all players have opportunities available to them, and it’s exciting to see where we can go from here.”

Tanya Phillips

BSYO Manager, WollCon

Luminescence Childrens Choir

Joining the orchestra this year are Nikki Ye (cello) and Evelyn Carroll (viola) – both moving up from the Powell String Orchestra.

“I think that being in BSYO means that I’m part of a new community, that I’m beginning to create new experiences and I see it as an opportunity to meet new people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I’m most excited about being part of the performances, exploring new elements of orchestral music and playing more unique and advanced pieces.” – Nikki

“BlueScope Youth Orchestra is a great challenge for me and I love getting to play with other people at my level. I’m proud of myself for being selected to join and excited for all of the opportunities that it brings. I’m especially excited to travel with the orchestra and to play to a wide variety of audiences.” – Evelyn

Nikki and Evelyn - new members of the BSYO

The orchestra had its first official performance for the year on the 10th May: the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal concert.

This annual concert which is entry by donation results in a sizable donation to local organisations supported by Wollongong Salvation Army. It has become a successful collaboration with the Salvation Army Brass Band which began in 2000 (25 years ago!).

Didn’t make the event? Digital Doorknock Donations are being accepted.

Red Shiled Concert Poster

Closely following this concert was a collaboration with the Vietnamese Youth Orchestra to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese arrival to Australia.

The concert was conducted by Michael deHuy, with music arranged by Dang-Thao, and featured a wonderful program of  Vietnamese pieces. An important cultural event, the concert was at the Theatre of the Powerhouse Museum in Casula on the 17th May.

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Wollongong Conservatorium is located on Dharawal country. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, celebrate their continuing culture and the contribution First Nations people make to the life of this region and our country.

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Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is funded by the NSW Government through the Regional Conservatorium Grants Program

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Dr Sue Savage

Director

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne Mowbray

Director

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake Pearson

Director

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne Morris

Director

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima

Deputy Chair

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky Sloan

Chair

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.