USQ Music Alumni

Hayley heading for Weisbaden Opera

2010-12-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

One of Queensland’s rising opera stars Hayley Sugars has won Australia’s richest opera prize, the German-Australian Opera Grant worth $64,000.
The prize will launch her onto the stage of one of Germany’s most famous opera theatres, the State Theatre of Hessen in Wiesbaden for a one year opera contract.
The win is a dream come true for the mezzo-soprano who graduated from the University of Southern Queensland and Queensland Conservatorium of Music and has sung with Opera Queensland since 2005.
She was announced winner of the competition after four finalists sang at a concert in Melbourne on Saturday (4 December).
“When they announced the winner I felt like I was dreaming. I have been working towards this for a long time,” she said.
“To win a prize like this is worth more than just money, it’s a job in a respected international opera company and will give me professional experience. It’s life-changing.”
The competition was founded by philanthropist Hans Henkell and is co-sponsored by the German-Australian community and the State Opera Theatre of Weisbaden, near Frankfurt.
Hayley Sugars is packing her bags for Germany already after winning a university scholarship to study German language at the University of Kassel this month.
She will return to teach singing in Toowoomba early next year and sing in various concerts around Australia and at Norfolk Island until she moves to Germany to take up her job in Wiesbaden in June next year.
Her most recent performances include singing the role of Cherubino in Mozart’s opera The Marriage of Figaro in this year’s Brisbane Festival with Opera Queensland and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Sugars has also been acclaimed in other major Australian singing competitions, including selection as a finalist in this year’s Dame Joan Sutherland Award and in an aria competition at Sydney Opera House last year.

Jonathan O'Brien - violin music by the campfire

2009-09-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

A little night music . . . Jonathan O'Brien plays Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 5 by the light of the campfire and (what looks like) the full moon (but is actually a speck of dust caught in thecamera flash) to colleagues in a mining exploration team camp in a very remote tent camp in the Northern Territory, about 80km from Wollogorang homestead. The exploration team consisted of two geologists, a metallurgist, an aboriginal field assistant and the cook.

Jonathan O'Brien graduated with a Bachelor of Creative Arts degree in Music from USQ in 1994.

He feels greatly privileged to have known and studied under Associate Professor Peter Rorke OAM, founding Head of the music programme at USQ, and he has very fond memories of all the members of the music lecturing staff, the ancillary staff, and his fellow music students.

Studying music at USQ was a very positive experience for him.

In early 1995 after graduating he travelled to Kuching, Sarawak, where he worked as a musician and teacher for four months before returning to Australia to begin bridging courses in Mathematics and Chemistry.

He was accepted into a science degree at QUT in 1996, and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in geology, in 1999.

By the time he was completing his final year of the science degree there had been a downturn in the industry and jobs were in short supply.

Within a week of graduating he was offered a job, not as a geologist, but as a music teacher.

He accepted it, and for several years taught instrumental music, mostly in the north Brisbane and Caboolture area, and also in Toowoomba, Pittsworth and Oakey.

Since 2006 prospects in the field of geology have improved so Jonathan has left teaching and is now working as a geologist, putting his science degree to good use.

He gets to travel to some very remote and wild places sometimes.

He takes his violin with him on trips afield and keeps up with his regular practice.

Jon sends greetings and best wishes to all USQ friends and colleagues.

Contact:

Jon can be contacted by email at yehudi61@hotmail.com.

Andrew Finden to sing with State Opera of Nuremberg

2009-09-14T05:49:00.000-07:00

One of Toowoomba’s best young operatic singers returned to perform in Toowoomba in August 2009 at a lunchtime recital at USQ.

Toowoomba audiences first saw Warwick-born teenager Andrew Finden on stage when he was 14, in USQ’s production of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute.

Andrew’s talent was spotted by Peter Rorke who was adjudicating the Warwick Eisteddfod and suggested the boy should have singing lessons.

Andrew learnt singing with Delith Brooke during his high school years, joining in the chorus for the annual USQ opera seasons.

Once at University, he learnt singing with Arthur Johnson during his Bachelor of Music at USQ, winning the prestigious Joyce Campbell Lloyd overseas study scholarship which enabled him to take singing lessons in London in 2005.

He returned to Australia to complete a graduate diploma in Opera from the Sydney Conservatorium and won an overseas performance scholarship to sing in Tel Aviv, Israel, last year.

His career was then fast-tracked when he won a $52,000 scholarship from the Guildhall School of Music in 2006 to undertake a Master of Music in London which he completed in July this year.

During his time in London Andrew also sang in an opera in London under the baton of another former USQ music student Stephen Moore, who is a repetiteur and assistant conductor at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Andrew has returned to Australia to visit his family before returning to Europe to take up a young performers program with the State Opera of Nuremberg in Germany.

“When I left Toowoomba I was probably naïve to believe I would succeed in such a competitive field. I was thrown in the deep end but my career has turned out the way I’d hoped,” he said.

“It might seem surprising that students from a small regional university can excel in such a competitive international field but the quality of music teaching at USQ meant anything was possible for graduates,” he said.

Andrew performed a lunchtime recital of German and English songs with Senior Lecturer in Music Dr Phillip Gearing.

Ben Fixter - Instructor, Defence Force School of Music, Melbourne

2009-02-11T03:37:00.000-08:00

After graduating from USQ in 1995, Ben was employed as an Instrumental Music Instructor in Gladstone.
At the end of 1998 Ben returned to USQ to complete his Bachelor of Education (Primary) as a post-graduate student for 2 years.
Just prior to his final practical teaching placement, he auditioned for enlistment into the Australian Army as a musician and was successful.
With his music and education degrees under his belt, Ben then joined the Australian Army and was first posted to Sydney.
Since then he has been a member of the Royal Military College (RMC) Band in Canberra (2004-2005) and The Band of The First Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR Band) in Townsville (2006-2008).
Whilst in Canberra, Ben met his wife Cassandra who played flute in the RMC Band.
Ben is currently an Instructor at the Defence Force School of Music in Melbourne.

Contact details:
email: benfixter@optusnet.com.au

Nicola Hayden - Flautist - 2007 Joyce Campbell Lloyd Scholarship winner

2008-10-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

After completing both a Bachelor of Music and Honours degree at USQ Nicola is near completion of her Master of Music degree focusing on Australian classical recording labels.

Currently she is studying flute with Michael Cox (Principal Flute, BBC Symphony Orchestra) in London as the winner of the 2007 Joyce Campbell Lloyd scholarship.

Other activities have included attendance at summer schools and the British Flute Society convention in Manchester along with regular concerts in London.

Earlier this year she was awarded the inaugural Empire Theatre Toowoomba Brian Boak Developing Performer Bursary which she will use to further her flute studies in New York early in 2009.

Contact details:
nicola_hayden@hotmail.com

Phone +447918971666

Andrew Finden - baritone - Guildhall School of Music

2008-09-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

Originally from Warwick in South-East Queensland, Andrew has completed studies at the University of Southern Queensland and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, recieving numerous scholarships and awards.

About to begin his second year on the Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the tutelage of Robert Dean, Andrew is supported by the Worshipful Company of Curriers, the Hazell Scholarship, the Margery and Frederick Stephen Wright Eisinger Bursary.

During his studies Andrew has performed Macheath (Gay's The Beggar's Opera), Billy Bigelow (Roger's Carousel), Ernesto (Haydn's Il mondo della luna), David (Baber's Hand of Bridge), Dr Gregg (Moore's Gallantry), Ben (Menotti's The Telephone) Masino (Haydn's La vera costanza), Faure's Requiem, Britten's Canticle IV: Journey of the Magi, Haydn's Creation, Mendelssohn's Elijah, and Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs.

Andrew has been a finalist in the Australian Singing Competition Mathy Awards, winning the Nelly Apt Scholarship. He is also a recipient of the Sydney de Vries Memorial Award for Baritone in the City of Sydney Eisteddfod, and placed third in the Australian National Aria Competition. Andrew has performed in Masterclasses with Michael Lewis, Mary King, John Mark Ainsley, Håkan Hagegård, Joan Dornemann and Thomas Hampson.

Recently Andrew performed as soloist in Alisdair Nicholson's Two Sisters, A Rose, A Flood and Snow with the London Symphony Orchestra in the Barbican Hall, and performed the role of Mr Brooke in the Israeli premiere of the contemporary American opera Little Women by Mark Adamo.

Andrew's plans include Vertigo (Gluck's Le Recontre Improvue) and English Archer (Sallinen's The King Goes forth to France), both for the GSMD. Andrew will also be joining the All Souls' Orchestra on their Scotland tour of Prom Praise Concerts, and covering the role of Steward for British Youth Opera's production of the contemporary British opera Flight by Jonathan Dove.

Andrew is also a keen photographer, and his work can be seen at findography.

UPDATE September 2008

I've started my second and final year on the opera course at the Guildhall, where this term we are performing Gluck's La rencontre imprévue, which is a "rescue" opera in the same vein as Mozart's Entführung.

It contains a lot of french dialogue which is proving quite a challenge!

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a month on the International Vocal Arts Institute summer program in Tel Aviv, thanks to the Nelly Apt prize from the Mathy Awards.

I got to work with some amazing coaches from the US, and also work with Håkan Hagegård and Thomas Hampson.

I sang the role of Mr Brooke in Mark Adamo's opera of Little Women, and it was a pleasure to work with Mark himself. Also this summer, I had a great time covering the Steward in Jonathan Dove's opera Flight for British Youth Opera.

To be able to work on two of the most successful and popular contemporary operas in the one summer was a great opportunity.

Contact details:

andrew.finden@gmail.com
Phone: +44 7 858 139 837
Website
www.andrewfinden.com

Jane Tallon - 'Cellist, Victorian College of Arts, University of Melbourne

2008-08-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

Jane Tallon (cello)

Having completed her Bachelor of Music at the University of Southern Queensland, Jane subsequently toured South Africa and Zimbabwe as a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Geelong Octet.

In 1998 Jane attended the Manchester International Cello Festival, and has recently returned from a course of lessons with Valter Despalj in Zagreb.

Jane performs regularly in and around Melbourne, and is currently studying with Michael Goldschlager for a Master of Music - (Performance) at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Jane is currently the ensemble co-ordinator at the Victorian College of Arts, University of Melbourne.

Contact details:
Phone: 03 9685 9410

Tamaris Pfeiffer - Violinist, violist, studio teacher at Riverina Conservatorium of Music, Wagga Wagga, NSW

2008-08-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

Tamaris Pfeiffer - Violin and Viola
MMus, LMusA

Tamaris has been a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra.

She has a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern Queensland where she studied violin with Andrew Lorenz and viola with Patricia Pollett.

Tamaris then moved to London where she studied with the violist Rivka Golani.

In 1999 Tamaris took up the position of violin/viola teacher at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium.

She has been a tutor for various youth orchestras and chamber music schools and she frequently performs chamber music on both the violin and the viola.

Tamaris joined the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in 2003.

Contact details:
Phone: (02) 6925 3522
Postal Address: PO Box 7290 Mt Austin, NSW, 2650
Address: South Campus, Charles Sturt University, Hely Ave, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Paul McMahon - Tenor, Lecturer in Voice, University of Newcastle

2008-08-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

Paul McMahon

A graduate of the University of Southern Queensland (Bachelor of Creative Arts), Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (Graduate Diploma of Music) and Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Master of Music-Performance), tenor Paul McMahon began his career with the Lyric Opera of Queensland, (now Opera Queensland) where he performed and covered a number of roles including Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni.

Highly regarded for his interpretation of baroque repertoire, particularly the Evangelist in the Passions of J S Bach, Paul’s career includes many performances from the operatic and concert repertoire of the 17th and 18th century.

Highlights include appearances with all the state symphony orchestras of Australia, Australian Chamber Orchestra; Australian Brandenburg Orchestra; Sydney Philharmonia Choirs; Pinchgut Opera; Australia Ensemble; Auckland Philharmonia; Christchurch Symphony; Christchurch City Choir; Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Australian Brandenburg Ensemble.

Paul McMahon has appeared as soloist in the festivals of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and has given concerts for broadcast on ABC Classic FM and the MBS network.

He was a member of The Song Company from 1997 to 2001, touring regularly with this ensemble throughout Australia, Asia and Europe.

A Churchill Fellowship in 2002 enabled Paul to undertake intensive study in baroque repertoire at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, Netherlands.

In 2005, Paul was appointed Lecturer in Voice at The University of Newcastle, School of Drama, Fine Art, Music (Conservatorium).

His discography includes the debut solo album A Painted Tale - English, French and Italian lute songs; Handel’s Messiah - a CD and DVD recording broadcast nationally by ABC Television; Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo; Purcell’s The Fairy Queen; Handel’s Semele; Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Fauré’s La naissance de Venus.

He is featured on Swoon - A Visual and Musical Odyssey and The Swoon Collection Gold Edition; the Christmas discs Perfect Day, Silent Night and Glorious Night; Prayer for Peace; Eternity; Felix and Me; Danny Boy, Ye Banks and Braes, The Rise and Rise of Australian Rugby; Praise II and the soundtrack to the Australian feature film The Bank.

2006 performances included appearances with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (Mozart Requiem); The Queensland Orchestra (Mozart Requiem); West Australian Symphony Orchestra (Mozart Mass in C Minor); Australian Chamber Orchestra (Mozart Mass in C Minor); Sydney Philharmonia (Bach Christmas Oratorio; Handel Coronation Anthems; Mozart Requiem); Auckland Philharmonia (Mozart Requiem), Sydney Chamber Choir (Bach’s St Matthew Passion) and further recording projects for ABC Classics.

In 2007, Paul McMahon will perform as soloist with The Queensland Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia, Melbourne Chorale and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

Paul McMahon appears by courtesy of The University of Newcastle.

Press

“…The warm tones of Serbian singer Milijana Nikolic’s rich mezzo underpinned Sarah Crane’s pure soprano floating effortlessly above, with the distinctive edge of Paul McMahon’s tenor balancing Hibbard’s deep basso tones…Patricia Kelly, Opera-Opera, May, 2006

“…Nineteen historic and contemporary versions would seem to be an exercise in aural flagellation. But so fascinating are the numerous incarnations, matched by some stellar interpretations from musicians and singers, the disc never fails to be constantly entertaining…
Bob Crimeen, The Sunday Mail (Adelaide), April 30, 2006 (Re Danny Boy CD)

“…it was a terrific performance particularly from the choirs and Paul McMahon. Paul McMahon gets better and better in the evangelist roles. It is remarkable the way he can sustain this light, flexible, highly expressive, wonderfully coloured sound almost indefinitely. One almost thought he could have done it all again at the end…”Peter McCallum, Sydney Morning Herald, April 2006

Contact details:
Telephone: +61 2 49218919 Mobile: 0421 048 297 Fax: +61 2 4921 8959
Email Address: Paul.McMahon@newcastle.edu.au
Website: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/conservatorium/mcmahonpaul/index.html

Address: Conservatorium, University of Newcastle, cnr. Auckland and Gibson St
Newcastle NSW, 2300 Australia

Paula Melville-Clark - music lecturer, studio teacher and author

2008-08-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

Paula Melville-Clark

Paula completed a Bachelor of Arts (Creative) with distinction at USQ, graduating in 1996.

After completing her bachelor degree she continued her music studies with a Graduate Diploma of Music in 1997 and a Master of Music in 2001.

Paula was employed at USQ as a Lecturer in Music and Music Education from 1996 until January 2008.

In 2003 she was the founding Director of the Junior Academy of Music at USQ.

Her approach to music in the early years is documented in her book, ‘Music, Moving & Learning in Early Childhood: a manual of songs, lesson plans and basic theory for teachers, students and parents of young children aged 3-5 years’ published in 2006.

Earlier in her career, Paula undertook music and dance training in London and held teaching positions in England, France, Hong Kong and Australia working with children, tertiary students, teachers, dancers and actors in many areas related to music and movement.

She has a special interest in working with musicians and teachers in the area of kinaesthetic imagery and response which is a unique and innovative approach to music education and performance.

Her research into Music & the Body received a highly commended award from the Musicological Society of Australia.

As a Dalcroze specialist and experienced musician, Paula is a regular guest teacher at many workshops and conferences including the national AUSTA string conference, the National Institute of Education in Singapore, the Dalcroze International Summer Schools, the UQ Summer Music Program, the USQ Residential Music Pedagogy School, the Qld Orff Schulwerk Association, Nudgee International College and the Queensland Youth Orchestra Camps.

Paula is a regular consultant to several Early Childhood Centres.

She has been a lecturer in Early Childhood and Primary music and conducted many music workshops for teachers over the past decade in Australia and overseas.

She conducts music and movement classes for children and teaches piano from her studio in Toowoomba.

As president of the Toowoomba Eisteddfod she is actively involved in supporting music in the community.

Contact details:Phone 0411 234 722
email paula@hp.ozemail.com.au

Hayley Sugars - Soprano, Opera Queensland

2008-08-06T01:33:00.000-07:00

Hayley Sugars - soprano

Hayley Sugars studied at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), graduating with a Bachelor of Music (1998) and a Bachelor of Music Honours (1999).

In 2007, she completed her Master of Music degree at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU).

Hayley has performed in USQ productions of The Magic Flute (First Lady), Acis and Galatea (Galatea), Iolanthe (Phyllis), Dido and Aeneas (Dido), The Marriage of Figaro (Countess Almaviva) and Così fan tutte (Fiordiligi).

For QCGU, she performed in productions of Orpheus and Eurydice (Eurydice), Les mamelles de Tirésias (Thérèse), Albert Herring (Miss Wordsworth) and The Magic Flute (Queen of Night).

Hayley has been the recipient of the Joyce Campbell Lloyd Scholarship (which allowed her to study in the UK and the USA for six months in 2002) and a two-time recipient of the Elizabeth Muir Postgraduate Scholarship (2004 and 2006).

In 2006, she won the National Lieder Competition, was a finalist in The National Operatic Aria Competition and The Australian National Oratorio Competition, and finished second in the South-East Aria Competition.

In 2007, she was a semi-finalist in the Herald Sun Aria Competition.

In 2005 and 2006, Hayley performed as a member of Opera Queensland’s Chorus in productions of The Marriage of Figaro and Romeo and Juliet, respectively.

As a member of the company’s 2007 Developing Artist Program, she understudied the roles of Mother, Witch and Sandman in the chamber opera production of Hansel & Gretel and was a member of the Moving Opera! team.

As a 2008 Young Artist, Hayley will cover the roles of Queen of Night and Second Lady and also sing in the ensemble of the company’s production of The Magic Flute.

On the concert platform, she has appeared with The Queensland Choir, The Queensland Orchestra, Noosa Chorale, Toowoomba Philharmonic Society and the USQ Chamber Choir and Singers.

Her repertoire includes Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate and Requiem, Brahms’ German Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Haydn’s The Creation and Poulenc’s Gloria.

Last year, she performed Carmina Burana at the inaugural International Bonyi Youth Music Festival (at Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre).

She has also sung in masterclasses for Richard Miller, Neil Semer and Richard Bonynge.

Robert Williams - Baritone, English Touring Opera

2008-08-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

Robert Williams

Australian-born baritone Robert D Williams, studied a Bachelor of Music (Voice Performance) at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Following completion of his degree, Robert moved to Brisbane, Australia and joined Opera Queensland.

During the five years Robert spent with Opera Queensland, he became an integral member of the company, performing in many productions including La traviata, Il Trovatore, and Les Pecheur de Perles.

Robert's desire to expand his performance opportunities led him to England in September 2002 where he has Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Since this time, Robert has been studying privately with well-known English baritone Russell Smythe, in addition to working with UK-based opera companies and choirs.

This work includes principal roles with Buxton Festival Opera, Stowe Opera and London Opera Players. Robert has also travelled throughout Europe performing with The Academy of St Martin in the Fields under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner.

Testimony to the quality of Robert's vocal abilities and reliability are the subsequent invitations to perform with opera companies and choirs on multiple occassions.

In July 2006, Robert made a highly acclaimed debut at the Buxton Festival Opera performing in Bizet's The Fair Maid of Perth.

Robert returned to the Buxton Festival company in 2007 and has also been invited back for the 2008 festival. Similarly, Robert has recently completed a second spring season with English Touring Opera.

In addition to performing as a soloist on both the opera and concert platforms, Robert enjoys performing at recitals, conventions and weddings throughout the United Kingdom with Cantabile Artists, Operadagio and The Singing Servers.

If you have any function for which you require entertainment, visit the "Links" page for further information on his website www.robertdwilliams.zoomshare.com.

If you have an enquiry regarding Robert's future performances, wish to receive a 'Demo CD' or would like to enquire regarding his availability as a soloist, please telephone +44 (0)7753 491 737 or send an email to robdougwill@hotmail.com.

Steven Moore - Répétiteur/Conductor, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

2008-08-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Steven Moore : Répétiteur/Conductor

Australian répétiteur/conductor Steven Moore completed a Bachelor of Music (Hons) at the University of Southern Queensland, majoring in Pipe Organ and Accompaniment.

He continued his studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, completing a Graduate Diploma of Music Studies, majoring in Voice.

Steven then completed a Master of Music (Performance) degree with distinction at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the Repetiteur course, followed by the Repetiteur course at the National Opera Studio.

He has also attended the Advanced Conducting Course at the Dartington International Summer School. He has been Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master for Le nozze di Figaro at the GSMD and Assistant Conductor for The Rake's Progress for Opera Faber.

He has also worked on the music staff for productions of Le nozze di Figaro for USQ Opera Studio, Capriccio for GSMD, Albert Herring, Macbeth and L'elisir d'amore for Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

He has played for master classes with Felicity Palmer, Martin Isepp and Graham Clark and worked with numerous coaches and conductors.

Steven is Director of Music at St Peter's Church, Hammersmith, which includes conducting St Peter's Festival Orchestra, and Conductor of Hayes Symphony Orchestra.

As a singer, he has performed on stage in numerous opera productions, including roles in Die Zauberflöte, The Pilgrim's Progress, Semele, Amahl and the Night Visitors and Trial by Jury.

He will join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in September 2008 and and make his Royal Opera House conducting debut with The Bear as part of Meet the Young Artists week in the Linbury in October.

He will also join the Royal Opera music staff for Elektra, Hänsel und Gretel, The Beggar's Opera, Rigoletto, Dido and Aeneas, Acis and Galatea, Lohengrin, Lulu and Tosca.

Bernard Wheaton - Opera Queensland

2008-08-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

Bernard's back to offer some magic

August 05, 2008

FORMER Downlands College student Bernard Wheaton never thought he would pursue a career in opera.

That was until his year 12 teacher gave him some valuable advice.

"My drama teacher John Clarke suggested I try for a music career. When I started at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), I had my first singing lesson," he said.

Mr Wheaton left Toowoomba about 14 years ago after completing a Bachelor of Arts (Creative) and a Diploma in Music at USQ.

This Saturday, he is back in his home town to perform Mozart's The Magic Flute with Opera Queensland at the Empire Theatre.

"I always like to come back to Toowoomba after going to school there and studying at university," he said.

Mr Wheaton, who sings tenor, made his professional debut in 1994 and since 1995 has performed in a number of productions with Opera Queensland.

Mr Wheaton said he enjoyed the constant challenge of opera.

"I'm challenged every time I look at an opera score. I'm constantly learning. It's never dull," he said.

Mr Wheaton is singing the role of the Speaker's Assistant in The Magic Flute.

Kathy Pingel - Director, Macquarie Conservatorium, NSW.

2008-08-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

Love of music driving force

30/06/2008

The megawatt smile says it all for Kathy Pingel, the recently appointed director of Macquarie Conservatorium.

Oozing enthusiasm, the highly skilled pianist and educator is passionate about promoting excellence in music.

Happily settling into a new home and job, she’s looking forward to nurturing and fostering links with the community and is already planning a range of exciting programs and initiatives to augment the already

well established offerings of the Macquarie Conservatorium.

Ms Pingel relocated to Dubbo from Toowoomba where she spent the past 12 years working in the department of music at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), holding various positions including lecturer and head of the department of music, pedagogy program administrator and program co-ordinator of general studies and arts combined degrees.

Music has been a driving force for Ms Pingel since age five when she began formal piano lessons.

“From a very tender age, I always knew I would become a piano teacher and that ultimate career goal never faded or wavered,’’ she said

“I was committed to piano lessons throughout my schooling and tertiary study was the next logical step. I was drawn to USQ because of its excellent reputation, professional and distinguished teachers, outstanding program offerings and opportunities available to students.’’

Ms Pingel completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music), a Graduate Diploma of Arts, a Graduate Diploma of Music and a Master of Music, majoring in Piano and Pedagogy (the art of teaching) under distinguished pianist, Wendy Lorenz.

As part of her requirements for the Masters program she prepared a dissertation entitled ‘The Intermediate and Advanced Piano Music of Dmitry Kabalevsky: Pedagogical Implications’.

In 1998, Ms Pingel was awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Fellowship which enabled her to observe current trends in piano pedagogy in the UK and USA.

Music lovers will be in for a treat when Ms Pingel presents a solo piano recital at Macquarie Conservatorium later this year. The funds from her debut performance in Dubbo will go towards scholarships at the conservatorium.

Plans for a 2009 inaugural Macquarie Conservatorium concert series, featuring visiting artists and staff and students of the conservatorium are also under way with details to be released shortly.

Ms Pingel praised Di Pascoe for her wonderful work as acting director of Macquarie Conservatorium for the first part of the year.

She looks forward to working with the board, staff members, students and parents of the conservatorium and the wider community.

“It’s wonderful to have a job that you really love,’’ Ms Pingel said. “For me, music is an escape to another world. It’s absolutely magical.

“I encourage people to become involved, either actively or passively, in all forms of cultural activities including music, as this is an ideal way to enrich one’s life.’’

NOTE:
Kathy Pingel Graduated from USQ with a Bachelor of Arts (Creative)in 1994; a Graduate Diploma of Arts in 1995; a Master of Music in 2000 and a Graduate Diploma of Music in 2001.

Hamish Tait - Director, Riverina Conservatorium of Music, NSW.

2008-08-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hamish Tait - Director, Piano
BA(Creative), Grad Dip Mus, MMus, MBA, MTAA

Hamish completed his Master of Music degree in 1998 at the University of Southern Queensland where he studied with Wendy Lorenz. That same year, Hamish was awarded a Regional Arts Development Fund allowing him to study piano and accompaniment in London with the renowned pianist/accompanist Nina Walker, herself a pupil of Claudio Arrau and Alfred Cortot.

In addition to his activities as a music educator, Hamish appears regularly as a piano soloist, duo pianist, accompanist and chamber musician. He has toured and performed throughout Australia and the UK. Hamish has recorded contemporary Australian music and has been broadcast on ABC Classic FM.

In 1999 Hamish was appointed as a piano teacher at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium and was appointed Director and principal piano teacher of the Gunnedah Music Centre in 2000.

In 2003 Hamish was appointed as the Director of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga Wagga. He is the current Executive Secretary for the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums and the Chairman for the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre. In 2006 Hamish completed a Master of Business Administration.

Contact details:
Phone: (02) 6925 3522
Fax: (02) 6925 4120
Postal Address:
PO Box 7290 Mt Austin, NSW, 2650
Address:
South Campus, Charles Sturt University,
Hely Ave, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Where are you now?

2008-05-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

Bachelor of Music

Deborah Body
Kok Wei Cheng
Scott Fixter

Graduates of 2001

2008-05-03T23:16:00.001-07:00

Master of Music

Paula Melville-Clark

Bachelor of Music(Honours)

Craig Lovett
Margaret Morley
Stuart Humphrey

Bachelor of Msuic

Lauren Bent
Melanie Bonney
Kirsten Chilcott
Fionna Hall
Jayne Hanley
Boyd Hirn
Leone Janetzki
Rowena Lambie
Claie McEnery
Steven Moore
Stacey Ten Buuren
Mary Turner
Talaylin Zeppa

Bachelor of Arts (Creative)

Carli Walker

Associate Degree in Music
Jennifer Morris

Diploma in Music Teaching

Eve-Lyn Brown
Janelle Gatz
Margaret Schlink
Pauline Walsh

Graduates of 2000

2008-05-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

Master of Music

Kathy Pingel

Bachelor of Music

Joel Mollenhauer

Where are you now?

2008-05-03T23:13:00.001-07:00

Bachelor of Music (Honours)

Hayley Sugars
Daniel Blackmore
Lindon Weise
Cory Olsen

Bachelor of Music

Rebnecca Gardiner
Meghan Humphrey
Andrew Lange
Margaret Morley
Kelli Stokes

Where are you now?

2008-05-03T23:10:00.001-07:00

Master of Music

Tamaris Pfeiffer
Hamish Tait

Bachelor of Music (Honours)

John Morley
Renee Hussey
Peter Scully

Bachelor of Music

Paul hung
Alexander Lehmann
Kylie Meares
Cory Olsen
Jillian Stirling
Hayley Sugars
Hwee Teh
Melinda Van Der Meulen
Jaime Ward

Where are you now?

2008-05-03T22:59:00.001-07:00

Graduate Diploma of Music

Thalia Anghel
Wendy Brown
Matthew Henry
Melanie Paroz

Bachelor of Arts (Creative)

Andrew Egan

Bachelor of Music

Thalia Anghel
Carolyn Beck
Justine Brunner
Nicole Christensen
Amy Fulton
Renee Hussey
Deborah McGarrigle
John (Kim) Morley
Rosanne Noller
Daniel Norris
Danielle Osborne
Elizabeth Penny
Stephen Robin
Peter Scully
Rachelle Smith-Lowe
Alexander Taylor
Robert Williams
Mark Young

Where are you now?

2008-05-03T22:58:00.001-07:00

Bachelor of Arts (Creative)

Helen Devane
Nicole Elkins

Graduates of 1997

2008-05-03T22:55:00.001-07:00

Graduate Diplioma of Arts

Wendy Burns
Arthur Johnson
Anne-Louise Kruger

Graduate Diploma of Music

Katie Gould
Paula Melville-Clarke
Hamish Tait

Bachelor of Arts (Creative)

Rachel Durey
Leisa Greaves
Tachae; Higgs-Tate
Nathan Hitzke
Bianca Koops
Jody Leaver
Stacey Leinster
Melanie Paroz
Tracy Smith
Kirrili Williams

Bachelor of music

Matthew Henry
Dale Loxton
Diana Maynard

Graduates of 1996

2008-05-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

Graduate Diploma of Arts

Jo-Anne Turner

Bachelor of Arts (Creative)

Natalie Armitage
Jane Atkinson
Daniel Blackmore
Caroline Chown
Susan Drew
Benjamin Fixter
Katie Gould
Denise Grainger
Byron Harrison
Gaye McLachlan
Paula Melville-Clark
Julianne Moore
Nadine Schulz
Catrina Sharp
Leon Suter
Hamish Tait
Cherrie Taylor
Paul Widmer

Gradautes of 1995

2008-05-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

Graduate Diplioma of Arts

Gina Bradney
Miranda Gehrke
Tamaris Pfeifer
Kathy Pingel
Bernard Wheaton

Bachelor of Arts (Creative)
Sharon Baird
Anne Berry
Janelle Fletcher
Malcolm Gaydon
Leanne Greene
Michelle March
Andrew Marshall
Damian Milosavljevic
Jonathan O'Brien
Elizabeth Pagel
Natasha Podoliak
Cindy Riener
Jo-Anne Turner
William Tyers
Peter Van Der Woude
Mik Van Poelgeest

If this is you, please post a cv or brief history of your career since you graduated.

USQ Music Alumni

2008-05-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

USQ Music Department has graduated many fine musicians who have taken their places in orchestras, schools, universities and other areas of the music industry.

USQ Music Alumni is a blog to help past USQ Music students to find other past students, to follow their careers and to form a social network of USQ Music Alumni.

It is also a blog for past USQ Music students to advertise their current commercial activities such as availability for studio teaching, band gigs etc.