What do you teach at the Con?
I am a Piano Accompanist
What does that involve?
I provide piano accompaniment for instrumentalists, vocalists and choirs for rehearsals, performances, exams, concerts and auditions.
What is it that you love about teaching? Particularly at WollCon?
I love to play the piano and perform to an audience but I don’t enjoy performing as a soloist; I prefer to be in the ‘background’ and not in the ‘spotlight’.
I very much enjoy making music and performing with other people and love the variety of music that I get to play – from Western classical to contemporary classical, pop, musical theatre and blues.
I particularly love working at the Conservatorium as the grounds are beautiful. It is fantastic to work with like-minded staff members and make connections with other musicians, students and their families.
Please share a particular career highlight and why it’s special to you.
My years working as a repetiteur/accompanist at the University of Wollongong as it provided me the opportunity to work with and learn from industry professionals such as Peter Cousens, Robina Beard, John Wregg and Gaye MacFarlane.
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF MUSIC THAT YOU’D RECOMMEND PEOPLE LISTEN TO?
Etudes-Tableaux Op.39 No.6 – “Little Red Riding Hood” by Rachmaninoff. It’s virtuosic, dramatic, crazy, beautiful and narrates a thrilling story through music.