PERFORMING ARTS STAFF

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PERFORMING ARTS STAFF

PA Faculty

Lisa Gardner

Head of Music

Lisa Gardner

Head of Music

Lisa Gardner is a music educator, contemporary vocalist and singing teacher. Currently as Head of Performing Arts at APGS Lisa teaches academic music years 7-12, and also coordinates the Performing Arts Program with music, dance and drama performance classes and Showcases, working with specialist professional performers and tutors within the industry. Trained at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Lisa,s performance background is in repertoire from musical theatre, popular styles and jazz. She has sung in major venues throughout Australia and Asia with leading cabaret acts and many bands, and has performed live on several national television shows. Lisa has a strong interest in research on music education and vocal pedagogy, and has presented papers in this area at National and International Conferences. Vocally, she has trained with leading international teachers Jeanette LoVetri and Jo Estill – both from USA. Lisa has taught at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The Wesley Institute for Ministry and the Arts, The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and several Sydney Secondary Schools. As well, Lisa currently examines for Rockschool International. Lisa particularly enjoys working with children and teenagers, and finds their enthusiasm and passion for performing inspiring.

Melissa Ayers

Head of Dance

Melissa Ayers

Head of Dance

Kirsten Allison

Solo/Duo Vocal Skills and Performance, Song Writing Performance and Recording Projects

Kirsten Allison

Solo/Duo Vocal Skills and Performance, Song Writing Performance and Recording Projects

I have been teaching singing privately for more than 20 years. Over this time period, I have tutored students of all ages and backgrounds with varying levels of experience, from beginners to professional performers. During the course of this work, I have taught many boys and girls of school age and have experience in teaching practice methods, setting goals and communicating with parents. Depending on my students' individual needs and goals, lessons may include: 
● HSC preparation
● Singing technique for vocal health, pitching, options for tone production, navigating break areas consistently and improvement of flexibility and range, 
● Performance techniques - including performing a song, microphone technique, choosing a set list, working with a band, banter between songs 
● Music theory Including key transposition, timing and rhythm and chart writing for a band 
● Improvisation and song interpretation
● Harmonising and reading choral parts

Harley Coleman

Guitar Ensemble

Harley Coleman

Guitar Ensemble

Paula Baxter

Solo/Duo Vocal Skills and Performance, Song Writing Performance and Recording Projects, Music Performance Ensembles

Paula Baxter

Solo/Duo Vocal Skills and Performance, Song Writing Performance and Recording Projects, Music Performance Ensembles

Paula Baxter London born multi-faceted vocalist, songwriter and AAMA Award (The African Australian Music Awards) winner Paula Baxter (aka Miss P) started her musical journey at a young age. Artists like Nina Simone, Chaka Khan, Eva Cassidy, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston fuelled Paula's passion for music leading her to study a Bachelor of Music and pursue a career as a vocalist. After graduating Paula went on to perform with various original and cover bands before getting snatched up by Norman Cook's (Fat Boy Slim) to sing backup vocals for one of his projects ‘The Alfabet Tree’. After several years of playing the UK circuit the band released their debut album and embarked on a European tour. After mild success Paula left the band to concentrate on her own career which lend to a relocation to Sydney. Once fully immersed in the Sydney music scene it didn’t take long before Paula was a vocalist in demand, called upon to lend her vocals to artists such as Christine Anu, Richard Clapton, ‘1927’, James Morrison, Mark Williams (Dragon) Paul Mac and Jessica Mauboy. Paula was also called upon as backing vocalist to international touring artists; Tony Hadley (Spandou Ballet) Belinda Carlisle (The Go Go’s) Josh Groban (US), Ben Portsmouth (Taking care of Elvis UK) and Michael Franti (Spearhead USA) One of the most exciting musical moments for Paula was sharing a stage with the great Smokey Robinson during a short promotional tour in 2012. Paula remarked on ‘how amazing it was to see one of the all time musical greats mesmerise the audience with his magical voice, a moment I will never forget’. Paula’s television credits include: 100 judge on Channel 7's All Together Now, Love Child, The Voice, The Today Show, Sunrise, Good News Week, Spiks & Spacks, Rove Live and Mornings with Kerrie Anne. Paula’s original music is a blend of soul infused reggae, funk, disco, house and pop which she delivers with a unique vocal style that is sultry, soulful, powerful and distinctive. Paula’s debut EP ‘Experience’ co -written with Paul Searles (Skunk Hour) was released in 2010 to rave reviews. Paula's album "Ama' is due for release early 2019. Paula is also an experienced vocal teacher with over 5 years experience and a passion for working with and developing young voices. But it doesn't stop there, outside of her original projects, Paula can be found entertaining the troops at various corporate events with her cover funk band 'Miss P's Soul Kitchen'. With so many great credits to her name it 's no wonder Australia has adopted Paula Baxter as one of their most exciting and captivating artists to watch out for.

Anton Koch

Digital Music Composition/Recording/Music Theory and Arranging

Anton Koch

Digital Music Composition/Recording/Music Theory and Arranging

Victor Rounds

Auditioned/Advanced Music Ensemble AMPA

Victor Rounds

Auditioned/Advanced Music Ensemble AMPA

Victor is one of Australia’s most sought after musicians. He has appeared on albums for some of the music industry’s most legendary artists including Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, Jenny Morris, Renee Geyer, Marcia Hines, Andrew Fariss (INXS), Margaret Urlich, Mark Williams, Gina Jefferies plus many more. Accredited on over a hundred and fifty albums to date as well as numerous tours nationally and worldwide with the biggest names in the Australian and International Music Industry. Support tours have included Tears for Fears, Prince and Paul McCartney. On the Bass (M.D.) for David Garibaldi and Larry Braggs (Tower of Power). Elvin Bishop (Paul Butterfield Blues Band), Glen Frey (The Eagles), Brian Ferry, Martha Davis (The Motels), Tina Arena, The Monkees and UK artists Lulu, Leo Sayer, Rick Astley and a stint with Boy George as M.D. Stage Productions include:
• Rent
• Oh What A Night
• The Revolution Will Not Be Televised • The Blues Brothers (Russell Crowe, Simon Westaway, George Washing Machine,
• Fame/Asia
• ‘Thriller Live’ 2014/2015 London West End Productions. Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia.
• ‘My Leonard Cohen’ 2017-2019 UK and Australia (Sydney Opera House seasons, Adelaide Fringe festivals).

Cassidy Nancarrow

Commercial Contemporary

Cassidy Nancarrow

Commercial Contemporary

Cassidy Nancarrow started training in all styles of dance at a young age and has continued on to graduate from Village Nation Fulltime course in 2021. Since then, she has danced professionally for artists such as Samantha Jade, Courtney Act and many corporate events including travelling to Singapore. Cassidy has been a successful teacher since the age of 16, regularly working and guest choreographing for studios all throughout NSW in all styles. She has also recently been an assistant choreographer to Briden Starr for various dance performances, one of which, Christmas with Delta 2022.

Talia Fowler

Contemporary Ballet

Talia Fowler

Contemporary Ballet

Talia’s career has spanned across a wide variety of dance genres and media platforms. She is a classical ballerina having worked for companies - The Queensland Ballet, Ballet BC (Quebec), Madboots Dance (NY), Gregory/Dawson Project (San Francisco), Leigh Warren Dancers (Adelaide), Alonzo King LINES Ballet (San Francisco). Performing both classical & contemporary works, her career taken her to Europe, Asia, Canada and the USA. In 2009 she was the winner of Season 2 ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. She starred in ‘Fame the Musical’s national tour as Iris Kelly. Throughout the commercial industry she has worked for the likes of Tabitha & Napoleon, Sonya Tayeh, ARIA’s, AACTA’s, X Factor, Australia’s Got Talent, & various music artists. Currently, she freelances as a soloist and pas de deux artist with performances across the international corporate scene. Talia recently performed on the runway for international fashion label BALMAIN. Her work for Sony Music can be seen in choreography, movement direction and video editing for Timomatic & Pusha T music video ‘Delilah’, and Talia can be seen in lead acting roles for Timomatic ‘Parachute’, The Veronicas ‘You Ruin Me’, and Van-ahn Nguyen’s Album ‘Peaceful Piano Essentials’. Talia landed the cover of Dance Australia, advertising campaign and face of Bloch ‘Heritage’ pointe shoe & guest performances for the Australian Dance Awards, So You Think You Can Dance US, & the World Dance Congress. In her training she achieved her A.R.A.D Solo Seal and was a part of The Genée International Ballet Competition (now The Fonteyn) and The Prix de Lausanne. Talia is a now certified coach for Vaganova method training with the Australia Conservatoire of Ballet, and runs an interstate ‘Elite Artist’ Classical Ballet Program. She is a private technique coach and has taught nationwide workshops & masterclasses for the past 6 years. She has also adjudicated solo scholarships, competitions and dance festivals across the country. As guest speaker for organisations ‘Beautiful Mind’s’ and ‘The Halogen Foundation’, Talia has enjoyed becoming a mentor to the new generation.

James Pierre-Read

Instrumental Performance Projects, Recording & Production Skills, Music Performance Ensembles

James Pierre-Read

Instrumental Performance Projects, Recording & Production Skills, Music Performance Ensembles

Jasmin Certoma

Acting for Screen, Selected Scenes and Senior Play

Jasmin Certoma

Acting for Screen, Selected Scenes and Senior Play

Tahlia is a Sydney based actor, director, educator and theatre maker. A NIDA trained actor herself (Diploma Of Stage and Screen Performance 2018) and graduate of 16th Street Actors Studio (Full Time Program 2020), she now works as an educator across multiple companies. These currently including ATYP, NIDA, McDonald College and The Australian Performing Arts Grammar School; where she is currently directing their junior company’s performance of ‘The Chapel, The Fire and The Dead Cat’ to be staged later this year. Stage credits as a performer include New Theatre’s ‘The Park’ (2022), Factory Space Theatre Companies ‘A Peculiar River’ (2019) and The House That Dan Built’s Carriageworks and Bondi Festival seasons of ‘Tender Young Creatures’ (2017/18). Tahlia also trained as part of The House That Dan Built’s performance ensemble and was part of the company’s ‘Whispers and Roars’ festival late last year; where she showcased a scene from a play she is currently writing. Tahlia’s credits as an assistant director include ATYP’s production of ’Shack’ which was performed within the Rebel Theatre last year and KXT’s productions of ‘The Hero Leaves One Tooth’ and ‘Cherry Smoke’ which were both staged earlier this year.

Sonia Tanner

Body of Work, Working with Textiles, Print and Graphic Design, Drawing/Painting

Sonia Tanner

Body of Work, Working with Textiles, Print and Graphic Design, Drawing/Painting

Victoria completed a Bachelor of Art Education (1st Class Honours) at the College of Fine Arts, UNSW and is part-way through completing a Grad Dip in Education Studies (Gifted & Talented). She has been teaching secondary Visual Arts since 2005 in various schools across Sydney. Whilst specialising in Photography and Digital Media, Victoria’s love of the arts extends across all mediums of drawing, painting, and sculpture. She loves guiding students through their own creative development and gets much fulfilment in watching them flourish in their artistic journeys. When she’s not teaching, Victoria also runs her own Virtual Assistant business, Victoria Eve. & Co.