KEY PEOPLE

Patron       

Artistic Director

Artists for 2008

Co-ordinators

Patron - Richard Gill AO   (back)

Richard Gill OAM is one of Australia's most respected music educators and conductors, with a particular interest in opera, musical theatres and vocal training. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Richard has played important artistic roles with Opera Australia, Sydney Symphony and West Australian Conservatorium of Music and is currently Music Director of Victorian Opera.

He has nurtured the careers of hundreds of musicians across the country and conducted works with Opera Australia and all the major Australian orchestras. Richard is the recipient of the 2006 Don Banks Music Award.

Artistic Director – Michelle Leonard ( back)

Michelle Leonard is the founding artistic director and conductor of the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, the Moorambilla Voices regional children’s choirs and Festival Director of the Moorambilla Festival.  Michelle has worked in some of Sydney leading music schools including MLC School Burwood, Newtown High School for the Performing Arts & the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Michelle is a past assistant conductor of Sydney Children’s Choir.

Michelle has always promoted the composition and performance of Australian music, through the commissioning no fewer than 15 new choral works, and insists on using Australian arrangements – even at Christmas time! She recently was Choir Master for the Festival of Sydney’s “Lost and Found Orchestra” for the internationally acclaimed Stomp Company.

Michelle was also conductor in residence for Junior Gondwana at the 2008 National Choral School.

She is sought after as both a choral clinician and workshop presenter. Michelle is originally from Coonamble and has two beautiful children Sofia and Maximillian.

Artists for 2008  (back)

Under the artistic direction of Michelle Leonard the following composers and artists will be directly involved in the Moorambilla Voices project for 2008:

Luke Byrne

Dan Walker

Luke Robinson

Georgina Lampe

Elena Kats-Chernin

Stephen Leek

Click here for artist’s biographies      (one pdf file)

Co-ordinators  (back)

Jeanne  Kinninmont is the project manager for 2008 and is always available to answer your questions and will be the main contact for schools, registration forms, payments and the camp logistics. Jeanne has been extensively involved in the organisation of tours and concerts with the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus since 2005. She was involved in the organisation of the Moorambilla Regional Children’s Choir camps as assistant to the artistic director in 2007. Growing up in rural NSW, she has an in-depth understanding of the issues and resources needed to undertake this project. Jeanne accompanied Michelle on the 2008 audition tour and met many of the teachers and children who will be involved.

Contact Jeanne  Kinninmont - phone 0439 160 576

or email moorambilla@bigair.com.au

The Moorambilla Mum is the fabulous Liz Markey from Coonamble, who after being integral to the success of the last two years’ camps, is well known to many of the parents and schools. Liz is the parent contact person who is available to answer your local queries as well as co-ordinate camp supervisors and car-pooling for transport. Liz is happy to answer any questions for first-time parents about Moorambilla Voices and the opportunities it offers.

Camp supervisors are parents and teachers who give their time to contribute to the success of the project. All staff and volunteers are experienced in this area and all have undertaken the appropriate working with children checks.

Contact Liz Markey - phone (02) 6824 1550 or mobile 0428 241 552 

or email markey5@bigpond.com