Can you tell us a bit about you, and what you are up to these days?

These days, I am the Associate Conductor of the WA Symphony Orchestra. I initially worked as a freelance percussionist with Melbourne Symphony and WASO and then became a classroom music teacher for over 10 years. Moving into conducting somehow became the natural progression of both of those jobs.

What was a highlight of your time in WAYO programs?

I genuinely loved every minute, but the highlight would be our tour to Japan in 1998. It is such a special place, we got to learn more about the culture and were so fortunate to play in wonderful halls.

How or why did you choose your instrument, and how did you make the change to conducting?

I fell into playing percussion through being granted a music scholarship to my high school. I was playing piano at the time, but they needed band and orchestral instruments and percussion really appealed to me. I was extremely fortunate to learn from local legend Paul Tanner who inspired me to take it up as a career.

What skills, musical and otherwise, did you take away from your time at WAYO?

It was a fantastic preparation for working in professional ensembles. There are many mostly unspoken traditions, rituals, and etiquette in orchestras that you can only really learn from being in one! It was also a wonderful way to make friends with like-minded people of different ages and backgrounds and work together for a common goal.

Why do you think WAYO is important to the Australian cultural landscape?

WAYO is vital to the Australian cultural landscape for so many reasons. From a music education perspective, it is an incomparable way learn how to play in an ensemble environment and develop high level musical skills no matter what level you are playing at. It builds social skills, focus and attention, connects mind and body and emotions, develops discipline and responsibility and a whole host of other amazing life skills. But most importantly, it is enjoyable while doing all of these things. As a musical ensemble, WAYO is so progressive with its programming and concepts and is part of the vanguard of the changing classical music landscape.

What piece(s) would you share with people who want to discover more about orchestral music?

Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique, Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, Tchaikovsky Symphonies 4, 5 and 6, Holst The Planets Suite