What do you teach at the Con?
Children’s Choirs
What genres do you teach?
Choral music and choral arrangements of popular music.
What is it that you love about teaching music – particularly at Wollongong Conservatorium?
I love the joy and excitement of rehearsing and performing. Choir time has always been my favourite part of my timetable. I love seeing the smiles of the children’s faces and working together to make an amazing sound.
Please share a particular career highlight and why it’s special to you.
The premier performance of The Flame Tree Project with original music inspired by the local Minnamurra landscape would have to be a highlight. I loved seeing the students achieve music that was challenging. They rose to the challenge and created something really special. There is an incredible sense of achievement when beautiful music is made through hard work. I like to challenge myself also – so including choreography and making the program a theatrical experience was both exciting and nerve racking. But the effect was amazing when it came together.
What’s one piece of music that you’d recommend people listen to?
Oola-boola-woo – by Josephine Gibson is a beautiful piece of music inspired by the Coomaditchie story of the same name. Sitting on Hill 60 and watching the pelicans circling in the sky while listening to this choral piece is a very special experience.
