Teacher PD 2026

Emma van Kekem has tutored with the Australian Girls Choir for 18 years and led the South Australian chapter of the choir before moving to the national role of Production Manager. She has toured both Nationally and Internationally with the AGC, delivered choral workshops and conducted at concerts and public engagements. Emma enjoys immersing herself in the Adelaide arts scene, adjudicating choir competitions and performing as part of the Adelaide Fringe. She’s passionate about building confidence in young performers and seeing the joy music brings to children of all ages and abilities. Emma can also be heard on SAFM and Triple M as the breakfast newsreader.

Lucy Shelton has tutored with the Australian Girls Choir for 18 years and leads the Adelaide chapter of the choir as the Music and Production Coordinator. She been an Instructor at various ASPA Education Programs since 2019. Lucy holds a Masters of Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts (Music Studies), and currently works in an ELC to Year 12 school. She is passionate about teaching performing arts skills in a fun, interactive way and enjoys building the confidence of young performers. Lucy has trained many AGC Tutors and enjoys working with a team to deliver inspiring, high quality productions.

Maddison Apacible is a passionate choreographer, performer and teacher having trained in ballet, theatre, jazz and tap. Her professional dance credits include ‘Le Cirque Bijou’ with Norwegian Cruise Lines, and ‘Mickey’s Christmas Big Band’ at Disneyland Paris. Maddison has travelled the country as a dancer for national sporting teams, and supporting Australian theatre names including Rhonda Burchmore, Rachel Beck and Rob Mills. Locally, she has choreographed for Adelaide Strikers, Ding Productions, Pelican Productions and Australian Girls Choir. Now based in SA, Maddison choreographs for The Adelaide Fringe, The Royal Adelaide Show and local schools, most recently Concordia college’s ‘Chicago’ musical. She is passionate about inspiring and nurturing the next generation of performers through her teaching and performing work.

Rachel Burke is an engaging performer and holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) from the Flinders Drama Centre. She has worked as an actor, director and puppeteer across stage and screen, touring nationally with The Dictionary of Lost Words and internationally with Bluey’s Big Play. With a background in drama and a passion for music education, Rachel has a lively, playful and inclusive approach to teaching. She has delivered music and drama workshops in schools in South Australia as well as in remote communities in Western Australia and Far North Queensland. Rachel has also been a tutor with the Australian Girls Choir for 16 years and has experience working with students from Reception to Year 12.

Astin Hammermeister is an experienced educator, choral conductor, and music theatre performer. With nearly two decades of experience in arts education, Astin has specialized in primary school music, dance, and drama, and has directed and choreographed numerous school productions. She is currently the Choral Program Coordinator at Ormiston College, where she directs multiple choirs and provides vocal and music tuition. Her performance career includes national touring and professional productions such as The Pirates of Penzance, Cats, and leading roles in musicals like Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Chorus Line. Astin holds a Bachelor of Music Theatre (Distinction) from the CQU Conservatorium of Music and a Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching.

Georgia Martin is a passionate music educator that has been tutoring with the Australian Girls Choir since 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from The Conservatorium of Music at Griffith University, as well as a Masters of Education completed through the Queensland University of Technology. Since graduating, Georgia has had extensive experience teaching music in high schools across Brisbane, running choral programs and delivering music education programs across regional and remote Australia. She is currently the Teaching and Learning Coordinator for the Australian Girls Choir and Senior Tutor with the Brisbane chapter of the choir.

Jane Eadie is an experienced primary classroom music specialist and choral conductor. She has a wide range of experience developing thriving performing arts programs in primary and secondary settings. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Queensland. She has been a tutor with the Australian Girls Choir since 2010.

Lucy Flook brings a wealth of experience from the education sector, and is currently is a Head of Department. She has previously worked in External Assessment across learning areas at QCAA, and in the Senior Curriculum and Assessment branch across the General and Applied Arts syllabuses. Lucy has experience as a Head of Department, State Dance Panellist, Curriculum to Classroom (C2C) Arts Writer and Expert Writing Team member for the QCAA General Dance Syllabus. She has developed numerous education notes and packages for the QLD Music Festival, QLD Theatre, QPAC Out of The Box Festival and Brisbane Powerhouse’s World Theatre Festival. Lucy is currently the Queensland Choreographer for the Australian Girls Choir.

Dale Pope is the Founder of Raw Energy Education (REDed) and is a passionate choreographer, dancer and educator with over 30 years’ experience creating dance and movement for small and big people! Dale is dedicated to empowering children and turning their ‘lights’ on through REDed’s fun and dynamic dance programs. She is also motivated to growing a beautiful team of REDed Instructors who role model what that ‘light’ looks like to children through their passion for teaching.

As a choreographer, Dale’s credits include working with Bindi Irwin, the Australian Girls Choir, creating a full-length contemporary show for the P&O fleet of cruise ships, and numerous films and television shows. She has toured internationally five times with her work being seen in New York, LA, Paris, London, Rome, Prague and at the Sydney Opera House too.

Sally Gawley is the Head of ASPA Education and is an energetic and talented performer and educator with a background in jazz and improvisation. She has tutored with the Australian Girls Choir for over 20 years, conducting international and national touring choirs and has led choral workshops around Australia and overseas. Receiving a Diploma of Performance (Jazz) from Elder Conservatorium in South Australia, Sally has worked extensively as a jazz and soul singer and performed with the internationally awarded a cappella ensemble Akasa. Sally delivers a range of workshops for ASPA Education and has conducted thousands of children in metropolitan and regional Victoria over the past 15 years.

Anna Joyce is a passionate and versatile educator with extensive experience across a range of primary settings and arts disciplines. She has delivered program with the Australian Girls Choir and ASPA Education for 14 years. Previously, she was a performing arts teacher at Melbourne Grammar School where she directed and choreographed a number of school musicals and performances before stepping in to a generalist teaching role at Clifton Hill PS. Anna studied musical theatre at the VCA, dance at Dance Factory and holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Monash University.

Dale Pope is the Founder of Raw Energy Education (REDed) and is a passionate choreographer, dancer and educator with over 30 years’ experience creating dance and movement for small and big people! Dale is dedicated to empowering children and turning their ‘lights’ on through REDed’s fun and dynamic dance programs. She is also motivated to growing a beautiful team of REDed Instructors who role model what that ‘light’ looks like to children through their passion for teaching.

As a choreographer, Dale’s credits include working with Bindi Irwin, the Australian Girls Choir, creating a full-length contemporary show for the P&O fleet of cruise ships, and numerous films and television shows. She has toured internationally five times with her work being seen in New York, LA, Paris, London, Rome, Prague and at the Sydney Opera House too.

Joanna Patocs is a passionate music educator and vocal specialist. She is dedicated to sharing the joy and the many wellbeing aspects that choral singing can bring. Joanna has been tutoring with the Australian Girls Choir for nearly 20 years and has also worked as a singing teacher, choral director, and classroom music teacher in primary and secondary schools. She is a classically trained singer with performance experience on the operatic and concert stage. Joanna completed her undergraduate studies in Music, German and Diploma in Education at the University of Melbourne, and Masters in Opera Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. She currently works as a Music Education Consultant for ASPA and is a senior tutor with the Australian Girls Choir.

Laura Aldous is an actor, theatre maker, and performing arts educator focused on nurturing young performers in inclusive, playful settings. With training from Monash University, NIDA, and extensive experience as a Tutor for the Australian Girls Choir, ASPA Education, and Girls from Oz, she has taught all ages across Australia. Since 2016, Laura has collaborated with Barking Spider Visual Theatre on creative workshops and site-specific performances, and is a core member of the award-winning theatre company The Bloomshed. Now in her eighth year with ASPA Education, she continues to inspire students and teachers in the performing arts.

Sally Gawley is the Head of ASPA Education and is an energetic and talented performer and educator with a background in jazz and improvisation. She has tutored with the Australian Girls Choir for over 20 years, conducting international and national touring choirs and has led choral workshops around Australia and overseas. Receiving a Diploma of Performance (Jazz) from Elder Conservatorium in South Australia, Sally has worked extensively as a jazz and soul singer and performed with the internationally awarded a cappella ensemble Akasa. Sally delivers a range of workshops for ASPA Education and has conducted thousands of children in metropolitan and regional Victoria over the past 15 years.

Vicki King is the Artistic Director of the Australian School of Performing Arts and has been working with the organisation for more than 30 years.  Her extensive musical training and understanding of a wide range of musical styles has led to her ability to bring music to life in a theatrical, accessible and entertaining way. Vicki is passionate about the musical growth of the students and has taught in a number of school, tertiary and community settings. An empathetic and encouraging leader, Vicki has exacting standards and consistently strives to improve the artistic standard achieved in whatever environment she finds herself. Outside of AGC, Vicki is a founding member of the internationally awarded a cappella ensemble Akasa and believes that the expressive power of the performing arts can be used as a tool for social change, empowerment and the building of community.

Genevieve Ogilvie is a dedicated music educator and vocal coach with a passion for inspiring young voices. As the WA Music & Production Coordinator for the Australian Girls Choir, she guides young performers in developing vocal skills, stage presence, and musicality. With experience as a singing teacher and choral conductor across multiple schools, Genevieve combines her Bachelor of Music and Master’s in Counselling to support students’ growth, both musically and personally. An advocate for girls’ education, she also leads professional development seminars, equipping educators with tools to foster confidence, skill, and a love of music in their students.

Emma Kealey has been a tutor and dance instructor with the Australian Girls Choir since 2019. She has experience running a range of performing arts programs with the Australian school of performing arts including Summer Showtime musicals, holiday programs and choir workshops. Emma has been a keen instructor with not for profit, Girls from Oz since 2020 delivering performing arts programs in remote locations, particularly Carnarvon and Halls Creek in northern Western Australia.

Sarah Guillot has a diverse creative background that spans choral direction, acting, theatrical directing, classroom teaching and Shakespearean coaching. With a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Performance and a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) from Edith Cowan University, Sarah has worked with the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) and in schools for 14 years. She has trained soloists for major events, focusing on enhancing vocal technique and stagecraft. Currently, Sarah runs her successful business ‘Shakespeare with Sarah’ and is a Senior Tutor with the AGC, where she is dedicated to cultivating vocal precision, stage presence, and confidence in young performers.

Isabella Bales has been a tutor and dance instructor with the Australian Girls Choir since 2018 and has worked in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and has now landed in, Perth. She has experience running dance education programs for adults with disabilities who are passionate about dance, as well as a host of ASPA Education holiday programs where she has taught dance to a range of abilities and ages. Isabella has been a keen instructor with not for profit, Girls form Oz since 2018, delivering performing arts programs in remote location, particularly Kowanyama and Lockhart River in the Cape York Peninsula.

Laura Knowling is the Associate Artistic Director of the Australian Girls Choir. Over her 17 years with the organisation, she has conducted International and National Touring Choirs and led choral workshops across Australia and overseas. She has delivered a range of workshops with ASPA Education and has run performing arts programs with girls in remote communities through Girls from Oz since 2010. Laura holds a Bachelor of Performance (Jazz) from the Elder Conservatorium in South Australia and has worked extensively as a singer across many genres. She has been a front-line member of the vocal group ‘Gospo’ since 2009, performing in the Adelaide Fringe Festival and other professional events. Laura is passionate about music education and how it can develop young people not only as performers but as human beings and believes that genuine, enthusiastic and aspirational teaching can make a difference.

Tanya Romeo has worked in Music Education for over 20 years. She has a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Music from the University of New South Wales. Since graduating, Tanya has worked as the Head of Music, overseeing Kindergarten to Year 12 Music in a number of Sydney schools. She is currently the NSW Music and Production Coordinator at the Australian School of Performing Arts. With a background in Dance and Musical Theatre, Tanya loves working with children and inspiring them to reach their musical potential too.

Kristy Hawthorne is a passionate dance educator, choreographer, and theatre professional. After completing her training at Brent Street (Diploma of Musical Theatre, 2016), she has performed in various Sydney theatre companies and choreographed musicals, including The Little Mermaid for Sydney Youth Musical Theatre. Kristy is the Team Support Coordinator at Raw Energy Dance Education (REDed). She is motivated by the opportunity to inspire young dancers to become instructors and support a vibrant team of creative educators.

Presenter (Sydney): Jess Walsham began working with the Australian Girls Choir in Sydney in 2000 while she completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music Performance). Over the next decade she tutored girls of all ages, toured and was the NSW Assistant Manager. After stepping away to focus on raising her family and pursue a career in professional photography, Jess remained active in the arts, working with local school choirs, teaching private singing lessons, and establishing a long-running creative arts program for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. She is passionate about diversity and accessibility in the arts – be it through learning or simply experiencing. Jess has returned to the AGC in 2024 as the NSW Music and Production Coordinator and Senior Tutor. She enjoys supporting and mentoring a large team of tutors in NSW alongside bringing the joy of music and performance to children of all ages and abilities.