Our Story

The Australian School of Performing Arts was established in 2009, founded on a desire to ensure that all children, teachers and communities have the opportunity to experience the enduring, significant and powerful benefits of engaging in the performing arts.

Humble beginnings

The Australian Girls Choir (AGC) was established in 1984 by Judith Curphey OAM, with 150 girls rehearsing in four classes in the Melbourne suburb of Burwood and Judith as the sole tutor. Today the AGC is proud to have 6500 girls learning to sing, dance and perform in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

AGC sets the stage

The founding philosophy behind the AGC is that every child can learn to sing given encouragement and training, and the dynamic and inclusive curriculum is designed to cater to varying abilities and confidence levels. The senior performance groups have shared the stage with outstanding artists including Pharrell Williams, Olivia Newton-John and on tour with Hugh Jackman, released several CDs, and performed for audiences including Pope Benedict XVI, the King of Tonga, Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II.

ASPA is born..

After experiencing the profound and positive impacts of the performing arts through the AGC, Judith was compelled to extend these opportunities to students and teachers and communities who may not otherwise have access to them. Since it’s establishment in 2009, ASPA Education (formerly Australian Arts Alive) has engaged thousands of participants in many and varied programs – providing performing arts workshops and holiday programs, creating choreography for school concerts, directing school musicals and facilitating professional development sessions for teachers and early childhood educators.