Student and Alumni Achievements | April–May 2025
Chroma Quartet Give World Premiere of String Quartet No. 1 (2020) by Jakub Jankowski
The Chroma Quartet – Harry Bennetts (violin), Victoria Bihun (violin), Elizabeth Woolnough (viola) and Hamish Jamieson (guest cello) – gave the long-anticipated premiere of the String Quartet No. 1 (2020) by Elder Conservatorium alumnus Jakub Jankowski (Bachelor of Music with Honours in Composition; Graduate Diploma in Conducting) as part of the Sydney Morning Masters at the Concourse, Chatwood, presented by Musica Viva Australia on Wednesday 23 April.
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Ambrielle Payne Cast in Disney's Beauty and The Beast The Musical
Our Music Theatre graduate Ambrielle Payne has joined the cast of Disney's Beauty and The Beast The Musical!
'When I received the call from my agent telling me I was successful in my audition, it felt like an absolute dream come true. Performing in this beautiful magical production so far has been nothing short of an amazing, at times surreal experience... and to do this show 8 times a week as your job is pretty special.'
'I get to folk dance, be a showgirl, do the can can, tap, and perform partner work all in the one show... plus wear the most gorgeous wigs and costumes!'
Beauty and The Beast The Musical is on in Adelaide from Thursday 8–Saturday 31 May at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
Taylah Johns Cast in Dusty the Musical – In Concert
Bachelor of Music Theatre graduate Taylah Johns was recently announced as part of the cast for Dusty the Musical – In Concert, a celebration and retelling of the extraordinary life and music of British icon, Dusty Springfield, one of pop music's greatest female stars.
Dusty, the product of Australian writers John-Michael Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow, received rave reviews for its Australian national tour in 2006, and again with Melbourne's Production Company in 2016, with the story of the introverted Londoner, Mary O'Brien, who defies the odds to transform herself to become a legend, synonymous with the 60's era.
Dusty the Musical – In Concert plays at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from Thursday 5–Sunday 8 June. Congratulations, Taylah!
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Darcy Waine, Alana Iannace and Allycia Angeles Cast in Kimberly Akimbo
We are thrilled to announce Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre graduates Darcy Wain and Alana Iannace, along with current student Allycia Angeles, will perform in State Theatre Company South Australia's upcoming production Kimberly Akimbo, directed by Mitchell Butell!
This Australian premiere of a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical will play at Her Majesty's Theatre from Tuesday 8–Saturday 19 July.
Kayla Hinton Receives Emerging Composer Award from Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Recent Bachelor of Music graduate (2024) Kayla Hinton is one of only two emerging composers selected from around Australia to be part of an exciting promotional project from Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. As the recipient of one of the Sydney Philharmonia's two Emerging Composer Awards, Kayla will have the opportunity to compose a new work for choir and orchestra to be premiered at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall by the Sydney Philharmonia Choir's Chamber Singers and Orchestra in December this year. As part of the project, Kayla will also receive mentorship and opportunities to workshop the piece in live rehearsal.
Associate Professor Carl Crossin (choral conductor and Kayla's composition teacher during her final undergraduate year) says that the profile and quality of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs within Australia's choral world is such that this is a very important and prestigious opportunity for Kayla to expand her musical horizons. The high quality of Kayla's compositional work during her final year of the Bachelor of Music degree also meant that she was asked to compose two new choral works for the Elder Conservatorium Chorale, both of which were premiered in November 2024 – with Kayla conducting one of those pieces herself.
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May 2025 Graduations
The achievements of Elder Conservatorium students will be celebrated in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics (ABLE) graduation on Tuesday 13 May at 2.00pm in Bonython Hall. A special congratulations to Dr Anna Henwood (Mace Bearer, University Doctoral Research Medal), Euan Safey (Valedictorian) and Jenny Su (University Medal).