The Chatswood High School Music Department boasts a professional, hard working
and enthusiastic music staff. Listed here are our some of our faculty:
and enthusiastic music staff. Listed here are our some of our faculty:
Gavin Staines commenced teaching at Chatswood High School in 1980 following study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He commenced the band program at this time. This year one hundred and seventy five students have participated in the three concert bands, forty five students in the jazz program, forty students in the string ensemble with another thirty students playing in guitar groups.
Gavin was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1999 in recognition of his services to music at Chatswood High School. In 2011 he was acknowledged by the North Shore Times as one of fifty people who had made a significant contribution to the community during the last fifty years. In June he received a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship. His passion is the Instrumental Program, directing the Concert Bands and Big Bands, performing in venues such as the Opera House and Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood, and touring with the school ensembles both in country NSW and overseas. Gavin currently directs the Wind Orchestra and Senior Concert Band.
Gavin was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1999 in recognition of his services to music at Chatswood High School. In 2011 he was acknowledged by the North Shore Times as one of fifty people who had made a significant contribution to the community during the last fifty years. In June he received a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship. His passion is the Instrumental Program, directing the Concert Bands and Big Bands, performing in venues such as the Opera House and Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood, and touring with the school ensembles both in country NSW and overseas. Gavin currently directs the Wind Orchestra and Senior Concert Band.
Sylvia Marson began teaching high school music in 1990 and joined the staff in Chatswood High School in 2014. She is passionate about music education and the benefits it offers to all. Sylvia is interested in a wide variety of musical styles and has directed many different ensembles in high schools.
Sylvia is a fine flautist and in the past has performed with a number
of outstanding ensembles including the Australian Wind Orchestra and the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. More recently she has become a lover of all things strings, and is currently pursuing her interest in learning the cello. Sylvia is excited to be part of the Chatswood High School extra-curricular program which achieves musical excellence to the highest levels.
Sylvia is a fine flautist and in the past has performed with a number
of outstanding ensembles including the Australian Wind Orchestra and the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. More recently she has become a lover of all things strings, and is currently pursuing her interest in learning the cello. Sylvia is excited to be part of the Chatswood High School extra-curricular program which achieves musical excellence to the highest levels.
Stella Levinsky has been a high school music teacher since 1993 after completing her studies at the University of Sydney. She has
been teaching at Chatswood High School since 2006. Stella is an accomplished piano performer and holds an Honours degree in Piano Performance. She has been performing solo and as part of ensembles in Australia and overseas including 2MBS-FM and the Australian Music Centre. She brings her expertise in performance to the classroom and the school’s music program. Stella accompanies her students in HSC performances and other exams. She also conducts the school choir. Over the last 5 years Stella was organised the participation of students in Combined Choir performances in the Sydney Town Hall with accompaniment by a Symphony Orchestra and the Town Hall Organ.
been teaching at Chatswood High School since 2006. Stella is an accomplished piano performer and holds an Honours degree in Piano Performance. She has been performing solo and as part of ensembles in Australia and overseas including 2MBS-FM and the Australian Music Centre. She brings her expertise in performance to the classroom and the school’s music program. Stella accompanies her students in HSC performances and other exams. She also conducts the school choir. Over the last 5 years Stella was organised the participation of students in Combined Choir performances in the Sydney Town Hall with accompaniment by a Symphony Orchestra and the Town Hall Organ.
Stephanie Sexton commenced teaching in 2014 after receiving a Graduate Diploma of Education from Southern Cross University. Prior to this she received a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Major) from the Australian Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Liberal studies from the University of Sydney, majoring in Music, German and Geography. Stephanie has been teaching private vocal lessons for many years including a number of successful HSC students.
Stephanie’s passion for vocal harmonies has seen her perform as a backing vocalist in a number of local Sydney venues for artists such as Dinah Lee and Darren Percival. She has also performed throughout Sydney as a part of a duo.
Since joining the staff at Chatswood High School in 2015, Stephanie has been conducting the Junior and Senior concert bands. In addition, Stephanie has been able to share her passion for vocal harmony by establishing the Senior Vocal Ensemble. This is a small group of vocalists focusing on mainly a capella repertoire and close harmony work. Stephanie enjoys being a part of such a rich music program, particularly one which gives students so many opportunities to excel and build confidence beyond academic results.
Stephanie’s passion for vocal harmonies has seen her perform as a backing vocalist in a number of local Sydney venues for artists such as Dinah Lee and Darren Percival. She has also performed throughout Sydney as a part of a duo.
Since joining the staff at Chatswood High School in 2015, Stephanie has been conducting the Junior and Senior concert bands. In addition, Stephanie has been able to share her passion for vocal harmony by establishing the Senior Vocal Ensemble. This is a small group of vocalists focusing on mainly a capella repertoire and close harmony work. Stephanie enjoys being a part of such a rich music program, particularly one which gives students so many opportunities to excel and build confidence beyond academic results.
Darcy Shevlin is a bass trombonist currently studying with Christopher Harris (Sydney Symphony Orchestra) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. An ex-Chatswood High School student, Darcy won the school Showcase Concert for soloists in 2014, and has performed with a variety of ensembles. He has performed with the NSW Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Chicago at The Midwest Clinic, working with Dr Mallory Thompson and Dr Dennis Johnson. Darcy was also the bass trombone of Sydney Youth Orchestra's flagship ensemble in 2014. Darcy currently plays with The Metropolitan Orchestra and with his brass quintet. He traveled to Italy in July of 2016 to participate in the Estivo Chamber Music Summer School in Verona, Italy, playing in concerts around Verona with his brass quintet. He then attended the Italian Brass Week in Florence, working with trombone tutors Jörgen van Rijen (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra), Alain Trudel (Canadian conductor and trombone soloist), Jamie Williams (Deutsche Oper Berlin) and Gabriele Malloggi (Maggio Musicale Florence). In December of 2016, Darcy traveled to Hobart to participate in the Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute, performing under Johannes Fritzsch and Matthew Coorey. Darcy has experience playing both orchestral, band and jazz, and has been teaching on Sydney's north shore since 2013.
Ellen Kirkwood is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader and teacher from Newtown, Sydney. Music has been her passion since she was very young. She studied Jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium under Jazz greats Mike Nock, Warwick Alder, Judy Bailey, Matt McMahon and Dale Barlow. In 2012 she won the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award for young women in Jazz, including a recording at the Sydney ABC Studios, project funding, and performances in Sydney and Melbourne. Ellen is a prolific composer rapidly gaining recognition for her imaginative writing style. Her debut album with sextet Captain Kirkwood released in 2013, named “Theseus and the Minotaur” featured a 5 part narrated music-story suite which received glowing reviews and critical acclaim. Kirkwood has also penned many Big Band originals and arrangements, a large number of which are performed regularly by popular Sydney world music/jazz crossover group Sirens Big Band. She also leads party band Fat Yahoozah and The Mieville Project, who perform text-inspired interactive music. Ellen is also a member of Matthew Ottignon's Ethio-Jazz group Mister Ott, progressive rock/jazz/Zappa-esque band Facemeat, Gypsy-Punk-New Orleans outfit On The Stoop, 1920's Gypsy Jazz troupe Godfrey Uke and his Orchestra, and is a past member of The Bakery and Lolo Lovina. Ellen has also performed with Sandy Evans, Paul Cutlan, Greg Sheehan, Mohammed Youssef and Ben Walsh. Kirkwood teaches trumpet, improvisation and composition, and has been directing high school stage bands and jazz ensembles since 2004.
Trevor Gascoigne has been teaching guitar on Sydneys North
Shore for the last twenty years and at Chatswood High for nearly eight years. As well as teaching Trevor plays professionally as solo in clubs, restaurants and pubs and also in combos. He performs jazz, latin american and classical music. Trevor also prepares students for classical and rock guitar exams, and assists guitar students in their preparation for hsc performance exams.
Shore for the last twenty years and at Chatswood High for nearly eight years. As well as teaching Trevor plays professionally as solo in clubs, restaurants and pubs and also in combos. He performs jazz, latin american and classical music. Trevor also prepares students for classical and rock guitar exams, and assists guitar students in their preparation for hsc performance exams.
Michael Avgenicos is a Sydney based saxophonist, composer and
teacher. He is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Music - Performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music whilst leading his own sextet, the Avgenicos Brothers, with his brother Tom and featuring in a range of ensembles performing in Sydney. Michael was part of Chatswood High School's 2009 tour of Europe which included a performance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival
(Switzerland) and recently participated in a national tour of Australia with the Sydney Conservatorium's Jazz Orchestra. In 2013, Michael was chosen for the second time to participate in the National James Morrison Scholarship as one of six instrumental finalists. He has also demonstrated extensive experience as a classical saxophonist, winning the Chatswood High Showcase Competition and going on to win the Chatswood Rotary Scholarship in 2011. He also achieved his AMusA in 2010.
teacher. He is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Music - Performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music whilst leading his own sextet, the Avgenicos Brothers, with his brother Tom and featuring in a range of ensembles performing in Sydney. Michael was part of Chatswood High School's 2009 tour of Europe which included a performance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival
(Switzerland) and recently participated in a national tour of Australia with the Sydney Conservatorium's Jazz Orchestra. In 2013, Michael was chosen for the second time to participate in the National James Morrison Scholarship as one of six instrumental finalists. He has also demonstrated extensive experience as a classical saxophonist, winning the Chatswood High Showcase Competition and going on to win the Chatswood Rotary Scholarship in 2011. He also achieved his AMusA in 2010.
Lillian Camphausen completed her B.Mus. (Hons.) in Adelaide, and studied piano, harpsichord and accompaniment in Germany. She then freelanced as a teacher, accompanist, chamber
musician and translator in Europe.In 2004, Lillian moved back to Australia, first working at both the Queensland Conservatorium and University of Queensland. Since 2009 she has been freelancing in Sydney as an accompanist, language coach (for singers) and chamber musician. Apart from playing with other professionals, she is also passionate about accompanying and preparing students for AMEB and school exams, eisteddfods, auditions and concerts. At Chatswood High she leads the Senior Strings and has accompanied students in the Showcase Competition and HSC Performance exams. Lillian is a member of the NSW Accompanists’ Guild.
musician and translator in Europe.In 2004, Lillian moved back to Australia, first working at both the Queensland Conservatorium and University of Queensland. Since 2009 she has been freelancing in Sydney as an accompanist, language coach (for singers) and chamber musician. Apart from playing with other professionals, she is also passionate about accompanying and preparing students for AMEB and school exams, eisteddfods, auditions and concerts. At Chatswood High she leads the Senior Strings and has accompanied students in the Showcase Competition and HSC Performance exams. Lillian is a member of the NSW Accompanists’ Guild.
Rachel Herbert began learning flute at age 12 and achieved her
A.Mus.A at 16. After school, she studied at the Sydney Conservatorium, completing her Diploma of the State Conservatorium of Music (DSCM). As a freelance musician, she has toured for Musica Viva, taught at various schools and runs her business, Sondelle, which provides fine chamber music for over 100 functions each year. Rachel plays flute and piccolo with Ku-Ring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra, Manly Warringah Orchestra, has a busy home teaching studio and tutors at many school band camps. She is involved in the music program at Ryde East Public School, taking the Senior Ensemble and conducting on a relief basis.
A.Mus.A at 16. After school, she studied at the Sydney Conservatorium, completing her Diploma of the State Conservatorium of Music (DSCM). As a freelance musician, she has toured for Musica Viva, taught at various schools and runs her business, Sondelle, which provides fine chamber music for over 100 functions each year. Rachel plays flute and piccolo with Ku-Ring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra, Manly Warringah Orchestra, has a busy home teaching studio and tutors at many school band camps. She is involved in the music program at Ryde East Public School, taking the Senior Ensemble and conducting on a relief basis.
Guy Elsom developed a passion and love for music at an early age. He began playing the trumpet at age 7 and was drawn to school and community concert bands, jazz bands and orchestras. Under the guidance of trumpeter Warwick Alder from the age of 15, Guy joined the Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra, run by pianist and composer Judy Bailey. In 2006 he was accepted into the Jazz Course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he graduated with a Diploma of Music-Jazz Performance in 2008. Guy was taught and inspired by jazz musicians Craig Scott, Dale Barlow, Dave Panichi and Mike Nock. Guy has taught at a number of Sydney schools helping to progress the musical talents of both children and adults in all genres of music. Guy performs on a regular basis at clubs, venues and private functions with numerous bands.
John Lennox (Clarinet and Saxophone) is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium High School (HSC/ASCM) later gaining his DSCM, LMUSA and LTCL. He did post graduate studies in Strasbourg with both Principal Clarinettists of the Strasbourg Philharmonic. He has worked with the ABC and The Elizabethan Trust Orchestra in Sydney at the Opera House and in Melbourne. John has also been involved in European tours, Sydney Music Clubs, Music theatre and radio broadcasts. In recent times John has been involved with prestigious Sydney groups such as the “Yellow Rolls Royce”, “Veseli Gorenjska” (a Slovenian ensemble) and is currently Principal Clarinet of the acclaimed Balmain Sinfonia.
Alexandra Thomson has been playing the clarinet for 13 years, and has always been a part of school bands, choirs, orchestras, and community ensembles. Although classical performance is her goal, she is very dedicated to teaching and inspiring young musicians. Alex completed a Bachelor of Music – Classical Performance in 2013 at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and completed her Honours degree at WAAPA in 2014. She is currently studying her Masters degree at the Sydney Conservatorium, learning under Chris Tingay. Her goal is to be an orchestral musician, specialising in 2nd clarinet and e-flat clarinet.
Jeremy Brien has been a Guitar tutor and ensemble conductor at Chatswood High since 1990."My aim is to help students develop a love for practicing so they can then choose their own path.'' Jeremy is classically trained and also plays and teaches electric guitar and bass. Jeremy also prepares students for AMEB for exams.
Shaun Tarring is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) in Classical Percussion under the tutelage of Daryl Pratt and Richard Miller. Shaun will be graduating with a Diploma in Secondary Education from University of New England in 2014. Shaun is currently
working as a percussion tutor at Chatswood High School, and several other schools across Sydney. Shaun's recent accolades are for the successful theatre production The Rockshow featuring Jon English, which won a MO Award for Best Rock Act 2012 and was also nominated for an Aria in the Fine Arts category for 2012 Best Original Soundtrack / Cast / Show Album. Shaun also plays drums & percussion for MahmoodKhanFunk and played on their #1 Aria single 'Like the River'.
Shaun has also appeared on Channel Seven's 'The Matty John's Show', working as the in-house drummer for the band 'ASTON'. Some of Shaun's past performance experience includes playing alongside Kate Cebrano, Daryl Braithwaite, Christian Anu, Kevin Borich, Normie Rowe, Dog Trumpet, Leo Sayer, and Jack Thompson.
working as a percussion tutor at Chatswood High School, and several other schools across Sydney. Shaun's recent accolades are for the successful theatre production The Rockshow featuring Jon English, which won a MO Award for Best Rock Act 2012 and was also nominated for an Aria in the Fine Arts category for 2012 Best Original Soundtrack / Cast / Show Album. Shaun also plays drums & percussion for MahmoodKhanFunk and played on their #1 Aria single 'Like the River'.
Shaun has also appeared on Channel Seven's 'The Matty John's Show', working as the in-house drummer for the band 'ASTON'. Some of Shaun's past performance experience includes playing alongside Kate Cebrano, Daryl Braithwaite, Christian Anu, Kevin Borich, Normie Rowe, Dog Trumpet, Leo Sayer, and Jack Thompson.
Indonesian-born Australian percussionist and composer Robert Oetomo (b. 1988) is an active freelancer as a soloist, chamber musician, composer and an educator. He has been invited as special guest artist to perform and present masterclasses in numerous festivals and universities around the world including the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in Germany, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in Australia, the 1st Qingdao International Percussion Festival 2014 in China and the 9th Tabasco International Marimba Festival 2015 in Mexico.
Robert has toured extensively and performed in Europe, America, Asia and Australia with different orchestras and ensembles including the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra, the SBS Youth Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Conservatorium Percussion Quartet and Mannheimer Schlagwerk. He was invited to perform his award-winning work, The Legend of the Golden Snail, at the Gala Concert of Australian Percussion Gathering 2010, performing alongside highly acclaimed percussionists including Steve Schick, Sylvio Gualda and Kuniko Kato. There, he also presented his own research paper on the Transcription of J. S. Bachʼs Unaccompanied ʻCello Suites for the Modern Marimba. Robert released his debut CD (Evergreen EP) in 2012 and his second CD titled A Composer’s Portrait: Soar in 2015 under independent record label, immaculate music records. He is currently recording the complete J. S. Bach's Unaccompanied ʻCello Suites transcribed for the modern marimba.
As a composer, Robert passionately advocates the development of percussion music. He has composed numerous works for percussion which have been performed all over the world. In 2015, he was commissioned by the Australian Marimba Competition 2015 to compose a compulsory Australian piece (Étude de Paganini), for which he was also a jury member of the competition panel. His first symphonic work, Spirit of The Dreaming with solo didgeridoo, was premiered at the 2008 Aurora Music Festival in Sydney, Australia. Later that year, it was performed again with renowned didgeridoo soloist, William Barton. Robert was selected for the 2010 Ku-Ring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra Composers’ Workshop program during which he composed his orchestral work, Reflections on an Islandʼs Landscape, under the mentorship of composer Nigel Butterley and John Peterson. His works are published by Edition Svitzer (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Tapspace Publications (Portland, Oregon, USA).
His past teachers include Professor Dennis Kuhn, Jasmin Kolberg, Claire Edwardes, Daryl Pratt, Richard Miller and Gary Wain.
Robert has toured extensively and performed in Europe, America, Asia and Australia with different orchestras and ensembles including the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra, the SBS Youth Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Conservatorium Percussion Quartet and Mannheimer Schlagwerk. He was invited to perform his award-winning work, The Legend of the Golden Snail, at the Gala Concert of Australian Percussion Gathering 2010, performing alongside highly acclaimed percussionists including Steve Schick, Sylvio Gualda and Kuniko Kato. There, he also presented his own research paper on the Transcription of J. S. Bachʼs Unaccompanied ʻCello Suites for the Modern Marimba. Robert released his debut CD (Evergreen EP) in 2012 and his second CD titled A Composer’s Portrait: Soar in 2015 under independent record label, immaculate music records. He is currently recording the complete J. S. Bach's Unaccompanied ʻCello Suites transcribed for the modern marimba.
As a composer, Robert passionately advocates the development of percussion music. He has composed numerous works for percussion which have been performed all over the world. In 2015, he was commissioned by the Australian Marimba Competition 2015 to compose a compulsory Australian piece (Étude de Paganini), for which he was also a jury member of the competition panel. His first symphonic work, Spirit of The Dreaming with solo didgeridoo, was premiered at the 2008 Aurora Music Festival in Sydney, Australia. Later that year, it was performed again with renowned didgeridoo soloist, William Barton. Robert was selected for the 2010 Ku-Ring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra Composers’ Workshop program during which he composed his orchestral work, Reflections on an Islandʼs Landscape, under the mentorship of composer Nigel Butterley and John Peterson. His works are published by Edition Svitzer (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Tapspace Publications (Portland, Oregon, USA).
His past teachers include Professor Dennis Kuhn, Jasmin Kolberg, Claire Edwardes, Daryl Pratt, Richard Miller and Gary Wain.
Richard Percival was born in Nelson New Zealand in 1953. He attended Canterbury University and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and studied further in the U.S. with Victor Morosco (clarinet and woodwinds) and Abbe Fraser (counterpoint/composition). Over the last 30 years Richard has worked as a professional musician (saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet and flute) in a wide range of musical situations ranging from orchestras, recording studios, television, theatre and bands in a variety of musical styles including classical ensembles through jazz, Afro Cuban to rock and roll. He has worked and toured with such artists as Howard Keel,
Barbara Cook, Natalie Cole, Grace Knight, Sarah Brightman, Michael
Crawford, Olivia Newton-John, Cleo Lane, Hugh Jackman and many others. He has had the pleasure of working in bands lead by Maria
Schneider and Bob Florence. He has worked extensively in the theatre playing over forty
shows including Cats , Nine, Chess ,West Side Story, Chicago, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Gertrude Stein and Companion, Joseph, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, A Little Night Music, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Piaf, Sweet Charity, The Boy from Oz (Plus Arena Shows Hugh Jackman) , Singin’ In the Rain , The Producers, Urinetown, Company,Billy Elliot and many others. Richard has been a teacher, clinician and lecturer in music for more than thirty years and hopes to do so for another thirty or so. He has also worked widely as a composer and arranger. He is a member of the A.M.C. and A.P.R.A. and has music published in both Australia and the U.S. He is the creator of the highly successful “Teacher On Tap” Woodwind Integrated Learning Series for Saxophones, Clarinet and Flute. He continues to write and arrange for ensembles as diverse as
chamber orchestras, big bands, latin ensembles and chamber groups. He specialises in music for wind instruments.
Barbara Cook, Natalie Cole, Grace Knight, Sarah Brightman, Michael
Crawford, Olivia Newton-John, Cleo Lane, Hugh Jackman and many others. He has had the pleasure of working in bands lead by Maria
Schneider and Bob Florence. He has worked extensively in the theatre playing over forty
shows including Cats , Nine, Chess ,West Side Story, Chicago, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Gertrude Stein and Companion, Joseph, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, A Little Night Music, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Piaf, Sweet Charity, The Boy from Oz (Plus Arena Shows Hugh Jackman) , Singin’ In the Rain , The Producers, Urinetown, Company,Billy Elliot and many others. Richard has been a teacher, clinician and lecturer in music for more than thirty years and hopes to do so for another thirty or so. He has also worked widely as a composer and arranger. He is a member of the A.M.C. and A.P.R.A. and has music published in both Australia and the U.S. He is the creator of the highly successful “Teacher On Tap” Woodwind Integrated Learning Series for Saxophones, Clarinet and Flute. He continues to write and arrange for ensembles as diverse as
chamber orchestras, big bands, latin ensembles and chamber groups. He specialises in music for wind instruments.
Andrew Dickeson has been one of the foremost drummers on the Australian Jazz scene for over 20 years. He played & studied in Australia before spending time in New York playing and studying with jazz legends Art Taylor, Vernel Fournier and Michael Carvin. He has worked with a who's who of Jazz greats such as Johnny Griffin, Junior Cook, Lee Konitz, Branford Marsalis and Kirk Lightsey. He appears on around 100 CDs and is in constant demand in Australia and overseas. He has recently released his long-awaited CD called “Weaver of Dreams”.
Caroline Hobbs is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (BMus Perf)
and of the Royal Northern College of Music (Post-Grad Dip Perf). Caroline was
also a member of the Orchester-Zentrum NRW Germany and has studied with Gregor
Horsch the principal cellist of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. While in Europe
Caroline had the privilege of working with orchestras such as the Mannheimer
Philharmoniker, Philharmonisches Orchester – Stadttheater Gießen, Schumann
Camerata Düsseldorf and Die Bach Gesellschaft Wiesbaden. Caroline has also been
principal cellist with a number of youth and university orchestras including Das
Niederländer Jugend Orchester and Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Symphony and
Chamber Orchestras. Caroline is also an avid chamber musician and has enjoyed
performing in this setting in such venues as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and
the Konzerthaus in Berlin. Caroline came back and to Australia in 2012 and
freelances as a performer and is a member of the Metropolitan Orchestra. Since
her return she has also focused on another passion of hers, namely
teaching. She is currently teaching at the North Shore School of Music and is
cello tutor at Knox and Abbotsleigh and takes a cello ensemble at Chatswood
High.
Jennifer Druery is a graduate of the NSW Conservatorium with a B. Mus. She studied with John Gray, a founding member of the Academy of the Fields. Jennifer joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1984 and remained with them until 1994. Highlights were touring Japan and with Elton John and Frank Sinatra. During this time she was a member of the Australian Chamber Soloists featuring principals from the MSO.
Since returning to Sydney she has worked as a freelance musician playing with the SSO, SydneyPhilhamonia and the Brandenburg Orchestra but plays mostly with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Jennifer teaches at a number of schools - Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Knox, Barker, Sceggs, Scots, Killara and Chatswood High.
Since returning to Sydney she has worked as a freelance musician playing with the SSO, SydneyPhilhamonia and the Brandenburg Orchestra but plays mostly with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Jennifer teaches at a number of schools - Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Knox, Barker, Sceggs, Scots, Killara and Chatswood High.
Kate Mostert is an oboist with a passion for playing and teaching music. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Music, majoring in performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is also a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra (flagship). Kate first began learning music at age 5 and has completed 8th grade on recorder in addition to learning oboe. Kate is an ex-Chatswood High School student and was very involved in the music program. In 2013, she won the Chatswood High Showcase Competition, as well being the Creative and Performing Arts Prefect and being awarded the Chatswood Music scholarship. Kate enjoys helping students prepare for AMEB and HSC examinations and hopes to encourage students to get the most of their music experience.
Netta Dor is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a B. Mus Studies in Performance. Netta has played in several orchestras throughout her youth including the Peter Seymour Orchestra, Sydney Youth Philharmonic, SYO and the SBS Youth Orchestra under Matthew Krel with whom she went on a European tour in 2008. She is currently principal bassoon with the Woolahra Philharmonic Orchestra. Netta also played with the Sydney Chamber Opera in their production of ‘The Cunning Little Vixen’ and has played and recorded with Sydney bands Seekae, Jack Colwell and the Owls, Packwood and Post Paint. She also performed at the Opera House in Karen O’s (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) rock opera ‘Stop The Virgens” as part of Vivid Festival 2012 and Pickpockets and Rascals- a chamber orchestra designed for collaboration with local Sydney artists. Netta currently teaches at several schools around Sydney, helping students to excel in their musical careers, AMEB exams and the HSC.
Eitan Muir is an electric guitarist and bassist, and an ex-Chatswood High student. He has been teaching and accompanying HSC Music performances on guitar and bass since 2012. He plays in a broad range of jazz and rock groups, is often called for session work, and is known around the north shore for his involvement in youth concerts. At Chatswood High, Eitan is actively involved in running the Guitar Nights and works to maintain a high standard of performance from the guitarists in the Jazz ensembles. He completed a Diploma of Music (Contemporary Performance) in 2014.