To all Open Conservatorium Participants, Friends and Colleagues,
A core element which drew me to the role as Director here at QCGU was knowing how distinctive and central Open Conservatorium is to our identity and how important it is for music in Queensland. It has been a joy over the past couple of years to come to know, more from the inside, how firmly Open Conservatorium is established as an integral aspect of music education in Queensland.
Open Conservatorium's State Honours Ensemble Programs grew from modest beginnings in 2001 to hosting over 5,000 students each year through 17 individual programs in 10 centres; with many more being nominated than we are able to accommodate. The Australian Honours Ensemble Program, which celebrated eight years in 2025, has also grown to encompass students from New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and the Northern Territory.
Watching those who have joined us for the current project, after the past few years of upheaval, has highlighted the importance of music in education being available, regardless of region or resources; and how valued music is in schools, by all involvedstudents, teachers, families and the wider public. We are always pleased that so many students are willing, and able, to make music with their peers, with the support of their families and schools.
From my childhood in Cairns, I remember vividly the life-changing dimensions of such interactions and will be doing all I can as Director to be supporting our reach across this extraordinary state. Thank you for your support of SHEP and your support of your children and students and their music education.
I also acknowledge the Open Conservatorium team under Jason Budge for their care and commitment to make everything possible. I hope to see many of you return as students of Queensland Conservatorium, performers and audience members of the future.
Professor Bernard Lanskey Director Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
SCHOOLS REPRESENTED
A.B. Paterson College
All Saints Anglican School
Anglican Church Grammar School
Atherton State High School
Australian Christian College Moreton
Benowa State High School
Bishop Druitt College
Blue Mountains Grammar School
Bray Park State High School
Brigidine College
Brisbane Boys' College
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Brisbane Grammar School
Brisbane State High School
Bundaberg Christian College
Burdekin Christian College
Cannon Hill Anglican College
Canterbury College
Centenary Heights State High School
Centenary State High School
Chancellor State College
Chinchilla Christian College
Citipointe Christian College
Cleveland District State High School
Concordia Lutheran College
Conservatorium High School
Coomera Anglican College
Corinda State High School
Craigslea State High School
Emmanuel College
Emmaus College Rockhampton
Faith Lutheran College Redlands
Ferny Grove State High School
Good Shepherd Lutheran College
Grace Lutheran College Heights College
Highlands Christian College
Hillbrook Anglican School
Hillcrest Christian College
Immanuel Lutheran College
Indooroopilly State High School
Iona College
Ipswich Girls' Grammar School
John Paul College
Kedron State High School
Kenmore State High School
Kepnock State High School
King's Christian College
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School
Longreach State High School
Loreto College
MacGregor State High School
Mansfield State High School
Marist College Ashgrove
Marist College Canberra
Marist College Emerald
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Miami State High School
Moreton Bay Boys' College
Moreton Bay College
Mossman State High School
Nerang State High School
North Rockhampton State High School
Ormiston College
Our Lady's College (Annerley)
Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
Pimlico State High School
Queensland Academies - Creative Industries campus
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
Queensland Academy of Health Sciences
Redeemer Lutheran College (Rochedale)
Redlands College
Robertson State School
Rockhampton Girls Grammar School
Ryan Catholic College
Sandgate District State High School
Shalom College
Sheldon College
Siena Catholic College
Singapore Polytechnic
Somerset College
Somerville House
Southern Cross Catholic College
Southport State High School
Springfield Central State High School
St Aidan's Anglican Girls School (Corinda)
St Augustine's College (Cairns)
St Brendan's College (Yeppoon)
St Hilda's School
St John's Anglican College
St Joseph's College (Toowoomba)
St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace
St Laurence's College
St Luke's Anglican School (Bundaberg)
St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
St Mary's Catholic College
St Monica's College, Cairns
St Patrick's College, Shorncliffe
St Peters Lutheran College (Indooroopilly)
Stretton State College
Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra
Tannum Sands State High School
The Cathedral College, Rockhampton
The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James
The Gap State High School
The Glennie School
The Rockhampton Grammar School
The Southport School
The Springfield Anglican College
Toowoomba Anglican School
Toowoomba Grammar School
Townsville Grammar School
Trinity Lutheran College
Varsity College
Wavell State High School
West Moreton Anglican College
Whitsunday Anglican School
Yeronga State High School
Young Conservatorium
Conductor - Dr Simon Petty
Dr Simon Petty is an internationally acclaimed musician, educator, and researcher, renowned for his significant impact on music education and research. His influence spans Australia, Europe, and the United States, where he is in high demand for conferences, clinics, adjudications, and workshops.
Simon is the music education lecturer at the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University and also serves as the Coordinator of Pre-Tertiary Jazz Studies at the Queensland Conservatorium. He has taught across all educational levels, from primary to tertiary, and professional settings, and is internationally recognised as a leading authority in jazz studies and pedagogy.
A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, Simon holds a Bachelor of Music in jazz trumpet performance and instrumental music pedagogy, a Graduate Diploma of Education, a Graduate Certificate in Music Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy.
His distinguished performance career includes regular engagements with Australia's premier big bands, jazz ensembles, and orchestras. Simon's professional instrumental and conducting activities spans radio and television appearances, musicals, and commercial recording sessions. Recognised for his musical experience and inspirational teaching style, Simon is highly esteemed as both a performer and educator.
Repertoire
Fried Bananas
Manteca
Two Part Sketch
Le Belleclaire Blues
Wise Up
I Can't Stop Loving You
Portal
Seven Steps to Heaven
Ensemble Members
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Cayden Chung
Lizzy Harman
Charles Spink
Henry Thomas
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Caleb Diskin
Michael Ganderton
Liam Jones
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Matthew Lyons
Louis Wei
Arr. Ed Vezinho
Dizzy Gillespie
Judy Bailey
James Morrison
Gordon Goodwin
Don Gibson arr. Quincy Jones
Harold Martin, Michael League, Marcelo Woloski arr. Brian Lawrence
Miles Davis and Victor Feldman arr. Gordon Goodwin
TRUMPET
Liam Booth
Benjamin Campbell
Nate Galligan
Lucas Madin
Camilo Suarez
TROMBONE
William Clegg
Abraham Dubbeld
Natsuo Kikuchi
Lara Madin
QUEENSLAND CONSERVATORIUM
RHYTHM SECTION
Joel Sanchez-Carn - Guitar
Oliver Radcliffe - Piano
Charles Green - Bass
Oliver Schirmer - Drums
YOUNG CONSERVATORIUM
If you enjoy being part of SHEP and want to continue developing your music skills and making new friends, look no further.
With a wide range of ensembles, one-to-one lessons, and world-class teaching staff, Young Conservatorium is the place to be. Percussion. Brass. Strings. Woodwind. Voice. Music Technology. Jazz. Choir. Early Childhood Music. We do it all!
AHEP SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor - Dr Stefanie Smith
Stefanie Smith is an accomplished Australian conductor and dedicated educator who collaborates regularly with orchestras and bands across Queensland, the UK, and Asia. She tours regularly with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and has recently been appointed the Chief Conductor of Brisbane Symphony Orchestra.
Stefanie has worked across many of Queensland’s State Honours Ensemble Program and guest conducted the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Scotland and the Festival of Bands in Singapore. With an unwavering passion for sharing the beauty of music with the next generation, Stefanie dedicates herself to inspiring young minds and nurturing a love for orchestral and wind band artistry.
At the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, she teaches undergraduate conducting courses and conducts the Young Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, and Woodwind Ensemble. Stefanie’s pursuit of excellence extends to her Doctor of Musical Arts, where she explores the ‘Pathways to the Podium,’ aiming to illuminate the career trajectories of emerging Australian conductors and provide invaluable insights for those aspiring to make a mark on the global stage.
Repertoire
Oberon Overture
Waltz 2 from Jazz Suite No. 2
Dance I from Jazz Suite No. 2
Dance of the Paper Umbrellas
The Complete Harry Potter
The Final Countdown
Finale from Carnival of the Animals
Carl Maria von Weber
Shostakovitch arr. Flavio Regis Cunha
Shostakovitch arr. Flavio Regis Cunha
Elena Kats-Chernin
Arr. Jerry Brubaker
Joey Tempest arr. Daryl McKenzie
Camille Saint-Saens
Ensemble Members
FLUTE
Louie Adams
Maria Brereton
Adeline Cassidy
Shawn Svento
OBOE
Emily Chang
Alexander Finch
BASSOON
Andy Dai
CLARINET
Ciara Clunies-Ross
Dominic Fern
Gabrielle Penaluna
TRUMPET
Daniel Ji
Arrow James Shelley
Malcolm Strong
Mia Weinglass
FRENCH HORN
Jackson Ainsworth
Lachy Brown
Alexander (Sasha) Chee
Amelie Eberspaecher
Nathan Gibson
Sabrina Yang
TROMBONE
McKenzie Tailford
Olive Whalen
BASS TROMBONE
Jasper Walkenhorst
TUBA
Hugh Morley
PERCUSSION
Longhao Ran
Hue Tan
So Ching Joyce Wong
PIANO
Colette Wong
Roxanne Zhao
VIOLIN
Stephanie Chan
Hannah Chen
Sophia Chew
Leah Choi
Chi tung Chong
Clare Chung
Bethany Dean
Kate Fraser
Nathaniel Xing Han
Renita Ho
Anneliese Kairl
Ethan Kan
Jeffrey Kan
Grace Kang
Shawn Lin
Andy Liu
Thomas Liu
Jason Mao
Vienna Maunders
Owen Moe
Lana Moffatt
Subin Park
Phillip Pham
Ching Hei (Kurtis) Sham
Alaria Taylor Burton
Lily Wong
Justin Zheng
VIOLA
Elizabeth Blackler
Ian Choi
Guillian Coralde
Maggie Huang
Susie Kim
Janice Park
Omar Saro
Michinari Sato
Dario Tsai
Ziyi Wang
Atara Wickramasekera
CELLO
Nicholas Anderson-Bond
Charlotte Boyce
Aabir Chowdhury
Takeshi Holland
Iluka Horn
Michelle Yin Huang
Seraphina Kim
Yong-Kuang Leow
Nick Little
Audrey Long
Shania Moe
Nicholas Penton
Tzu-Chu Lena Weng
Phoebe Zhao
DOUBLE BASS
Lachlan George
Peter Ketchell
Isaac Rankin
Luke Thompson
Jamie Tooke
Conductor - Dr Robert Stewart
Dr Robert Stewart is Director of Performance at Hillcrest Christian College where he conducts in the award-winning Choral Excellence Program. He completed his doctorate at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University where he studied choral rehearsal techniques. While at the Con, he also conducted the Queensland Conservatorium Singers and taught French diction. He is frequently engaged as a guest conductor and adjudicator, recently with Cairns State High School Chorale, the Mackay Eisteddfod, and the Australian and State Honours Ensemble Program.
Robert was co-founder and conductor of the award winning Exaudi Youth Choir- under his baton the choir won the Open Championship at the Australian National Eisteddfod.
Robert has been choral conductor, voice teacher and French diction tutor at Monash University, the Melba Conservatorium and the Victorian College of the Arts. He is past conductor of the Queensland University Musical Society and has served as Director of Music at St David’s Cathedral (Hobart) and St Stephen’s Cathedral (Brisbane). In 2025, Robert was appointed Music Director and Conductor of The Queensland Choir, one of Australia’s oldest musical organisations.
Accompanist - Christian Gante
Christian Gante works with a wide range of high schools and universities during a week and can be found fostering musical creativity in students of all ages on keyboards, strings, brass and guitars via lessons and in groups.
He has written several instrumental and choral works, some performed by Brisbane Chamber Choir, QUMS, SHEP, as well as high school’s music groups and a select number are featured at Brisbane’s Ngahrima Festival of International Youth Music in 2026. Christian accompanied for the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition when there was just a single accompanist employed, has accompanied ballet and musicals and enjoys handling more difficult works as a QSO rehearsal pianist.
In his spare time, Christian adores visiting the great outdoors and photographing Australia’s wonderful wildlife. He has kept parrots of various kinds and was an aviary attraction tour guide for a while.
QUEENSLAND CONSERVATORIUM RHYTHM SECTION
Bass - Liam Jones
Drums - Joshua Wright
Repertoire
Hallelujah
Ballade to the Moon
Alleluia
My City
Chatterbox
I Will Sing
Ensemble Members
SOPRANO
Ellen Brayne
Leah Bridges
Cedar Fewings
Mary Gregg
Rebecca Hodgson
Ashlea Lavell
Chantelle Mann
Katie McDuff
Mariana Ng
Chloe Ourari
Emma Reeve
Isabel Schuring
Edie Shackel
Cadence Smith
Ivy Tuxworth
ALTO
Eva Acfield
Miranda Brown
Emily Chandler
Ruby Cullen
Isabella De Luchi
Lucinda Gabb
Sanchali Herath
Jaiselle Hunter
Ella Jones
Ava Keller
Charlotte Peacock
Stella Tomkins
Lily Vera
Cadence Wone De Rungs
Ludwig van Beethoven
Daniel Elder
Elaine Hagenberg
Astrid Jorgensen
Naomi Crellin
Michael Engelhardt
TENOR
Lewis Bullock
Tobias Burbidge
Tadhg Gates
Lewis Head
Owen Hume
Ojas Jindal
William Lees
Christian Masefield
Sioeli Ma'u
Finn McCarthy
Kaihi Riddell
Harrison Thomas
Parker Toomey
Joel Varela
Joseph Wales
Colby Whale
BARITONE
Bailey Edwards
Hayden Ellis
Griffin Hardie
Hugo Hawke
Henry Kerwin
Oliver Kim
Eamonn Kneen
Noah Litzow
Zachary Mason
Killian Menzies
Magsen Pama
George Pollard
Jacob Staggs
John Szilagyi
Nate Tanner
Oscar Tcheng
AHEP STRING ORCHESTRA
Conductor - Francis Cummings
Francis Cummings is a celebrated Scottish violinist, conductor, and music educator whose career has combined artistic excellence with a deep commitment to music education and social impact. A founding member of the renowned Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Francis has performed throughout Europe, North America, Japan, China and Australia, collaborating with many of the world’s leading conductors and soloists. In the UK, he has worked with numerous esteemed ensembles such as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, The Hallé Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, often as guest principal. His chamber music work includes performing with the acclaimed Goldberg Ensemble, known for its championing of contemporary repertoire.
Equally distinguished as an educator, Francis has taught at several leading institutions, including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Chetham’s School of Music, and the University of Huddersfield. He served as Director of Music at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh before taking on a senior role with Sistema Scotland, where he helped establish and develop orchestral music programmes in five Scottish cities, aimed at transforming the lives of children and young people through music.
In 2018, Francis was appointed Head of the Junior Conservatoire of Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, returning to the institution where his own musical training began. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply committed to nurturing young talent and expanding access to high-quality music education.
Francis is also a dedicated arts advocate and currently serves on the boards of the Benedetti Foundation, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS), and the UK branch of the European String Teachers Assocatiation ( ESTA).
Repertoire
Simple Symphony
Irish Tune form County Derry
Music From Brave
Perseus
Divertimento in F K138
Two Elegiac Melodies
Symphony No 4 in F
Benjamin Britten
Percy Grainger
Patrick Doyle arr. Robert Longfield
Soon Hee Newbold
W. A. Mozart
Edvard Grieg
William Boyce arr. Peter Martin
Ensemble Members
VIOLIN
Rayirth Bhattacharjee
Lyvea Boulton
Mitsuki Burgener
William Cameron
Harmony Chen
Chelsea Cui
Sienna Elder
Eva Goedhart
Olivia Han
Min Jang
Astrid Kahler
Hugh Kim
Joyce Kuik
Amelia Liao
Pendy Lin
Ariel Marks
Malachi Tan
Julia Tezel
Elliott Xu
Yu-Cheng Yeh
Lisa Yonekawa
Annabelle Yu
VIOLA
Jane Han
Daniel Huo
Kayley Lee
Joshua Weston
Sienna Wilkinson
Stephanie Yuan
Ernest Yuen
Travis Yuen
CELLO
Nathan Debbins
Tania Li
Lydia Liu
Miranda Shum
Julius Taylor
Stacey Yang
Theodore Yevdokimov
DOUBLE BASS
William Dowling
Victor Hardy
Tobias Lane
Sam Pankhurst
AHEP WIND ORCHESTRA
Conductor - Brian Hurdley
British born conductor and performer Brian Hurdley has been repeatedly praised for his clarity and effortless authority on the podium. His expressive and incisive interpretations have endeared him to ensembles and audiences alike.
Brian was awarded a scholarship from the Birmingham Conservatorium where he studied Trombone and Euphonium with the legionary Denis Wick and conducting with Adrian Leaper.
He was the recipient of many performance prizes and was the first brass player to be awarded the coveted college concerto prize with his performance of the Horovitz Euphonium Concerto.
Brian performed frequently with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle and was a founding member of the English Tuba Consort.
As Music Director of the Sunlife Band he was awarded the inaugural British Bandsman Magazine award for most innovative programming. Successful partnerships followed with the Williams Fairey Band and The Foden’s Band with over 30 commercial recordings, performances for BBC television Songs of Praise, BBC Radio Festival of Brass, Listen to the Band and Bandstand programs. Brian has conducted many of the world's famous brass bands including Black Dyke, Brighouse, Grimethorpe, Cory and a little closer to home, Brisbane Excelsior Band. He is in demand as a conductor, adjudicator and clinician both here and abroad and is currently Head of Instrumental Music at St Andrew’s Catholic College in beautiful Cairns.
Brian is a frequent guest conductor at the Brisbane Conservatorium State Honours Ensemble Program and is the recipient of the Docemus medal for his services to Music Education.
Repertoire
Year of The Dragon (2017 version)
The Water is Wide
Balkan Dance
Raging Machines
Serenade
Sempre Fidelis
Hymn for Africa
Utopia
Fanfare and Flourishes
Philip Sparke
arr by Rick Kirby
Etienne Crausaz
Brian Balmages
Derek Bourgeois
John Philip Sousa
Peter Meechan
Randall Standridge
James Curnow
Ensemble Members
PICCOLO
Audris Ng
FLUTE
Annabelle Brown
Beverly Chen
Yuna Cho
Alexander Hewitt
Elaine Huang
Rosalia Ma
Sarcha Webb
OBOE
Allegra Clarke
Jasper Lau
BASSOON
Emily Cane
SOPRANO CLARINET
Eliza Wang
CLARINET
Abigail Bryant
Mia Chalmers-Matsukawa
Henry Geise
Jack Goves
Elaine Guan
Zoe Hargrave
Olivia Irvine
Lachlan Kempthorne
MynJeong Kim
Nicholas Loh
Isabella Mead
Hannah Wang
Briana Watters
Joy Xie
ALTO CLARINET
Karson Wise
BASS CLARINET
Keira Furness
Sarah Hodgetts
Cody Lundstrom-Postlewaight
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Min-Ho Lee
Marilyn Li
George Mitchell
Harrison Monch
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Suraya Elshemy
Mary Zhang
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Fan-Rong Kong
Sophie Unsworth
TRUMPET
Emma Adams
Charlie Crocker
Matthew Gill
Mac Gynther
Zoe Pietsch
Aaron Roberts
FRENCH HORN
Cecillia Cason
Charlie Cran
Ava Gall
Jaden Ho Ting Tam
Isabelle Walker
TROMBONE
Jefferson Dinnis
Kush Isaacs
Samuel Macdonald
Matilda Miller
Lily Pietsch
BASS TROMBONE
Dylan Lim Kang
EUPHONIUM
Harry Chambers
Lila Hooton
Bethany Kotzur
TUBA
Connor Berthun
Jasmine de Kretser
Alex Foltak
Ollie Guile
PERCUSSION
Cade Brown
Jack Cupples
Christian Lanzafame
Daphnie Liu
Nathan Ng
Mary O'Brien
CREDITS
Director, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
Professor Bernard Lanskey
Head of Ensembles, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
Professor Peter Morris
Manager - Open Conservatorium
Jason Budge
Executive Officer - Engagement
Dr Natalie Lewandowski-Cox
Executive Support Officer - Conservatorium Academy
Kevin Edwards
Executive Support Officer - Honours Programs
Michelle Stewart
Administration Officer - Open Conservatorium
Lisa Dart
Administration Officer – Marketing
Hannah Morrison
Administration Support Officer – Conservatorium Academy
Bianca Murphy
Administration Support Officer – Honours Programs
Stephanie Williams
Administration Support – Conservatorium Academy
Jethro Caitens
Baxter Melrose
Project Support
Linley Chai
Emma Crocker
Dana Day
Nicholas Massouras
Caroline Pigerre
Jasmine Smith
Russell Sullivan
Hannah Waterfall
Open Conservatorium 140 Grey Street, South Brisbane 4101
Concert Enquiries: (07) 3735 6241 General Enquiries: (07) 3735 6247
Open Conservatorium (07)3735 6337 open-conservatorium@griffith.edu.au
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, and pays respect to the Elders, past, present and emerging.
