Sydney Music Educators Conference 2024

Dr Peter Loel Boonshaft

Called one of the most exciting and exhilarating voices in music education today, Peter Loel Boonshaft has been invited to speak and conduct in every state in the nation and around the world.  Honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education,” Peter is Director of Education for Jupiter Band Instruments and is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise. He is also co-author of Alfred Music Publishing’s method book series Sound Innovations and his weekly “Boonshaft’s Blog” inspires music educators everywhere. Peter is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, where he is Professor Emeritus of Music.

Steve Williams

Steve Williams has established himself as one of Australia’s most versatile conductors, distinguishing himself with an impressive record of achievement in a variety of musical settings. Steve is currently Chief Conductor Instrumental for The Arts Unit, a specialist unit in the N.S.W Department of Education & Communities, where he is well known as the MD for the NSW Schools Spectacular, the world’s biggest variety show. Steve also works as a freelance conductor and instrumental consultant and is frequently called upon to lecture, conduct clinics and adjudicate both in Australia and internationally.

Michelle Leonard OAM 

Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of Moorambilla Voices, Michelle is an artistic visionary with a strong motivation to amplify creative opportunities for regional children and young adults as a catalyst for social change. Michelle has delivered workshops in person to over 46,000 children from 21 Local Government Areas, commissioned over 200 new Australian works, conducts annual residency camps, tours, recordings, and performances for regional and metropolitan audiences showcasing the extraordinary capacity of children as choristers, dancers, and visual artists to standing ovations.

Mandy Fara Boonshaft 

Mandy is currently on the faculty of South Woods Middle School in Syosset, New York (USA), and has also taught at Commack Middle School and Hewlett High School. In addition, Mandy is the conductor of the Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts Honor Band, a select ensemble of year seven and eight instrumentalists from across Long Island. Mandy is extremely active regionally, nationally and internationally as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and workshop presenter for universities, schools, festivals and conferences.

Simon Sweeney

Simon Sweeney is professional trumpet player, composer and educator based in Sydney. Simon holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium of music and a Diploma of Law from the Legal Professional Admissions Board. 

Simon has appeared as guest Principal trumpet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Film recording credits include Happy Feet, The Great Gatsby, The Extra, Hotel Transylvania 2, and The Bank. He is currently director of Jazz bands at Moriah College, Musical Director of The Arts Unit Jazz Orchestra and director of the Leichhardt Public School Big Band. He has been on the Jazz Faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of music for 13 years where he directs Con Jazz Orchestra 2 (of 4).

Garry Clark

Garry Clark is a highly respected name in music education and for many years has played a central role in the development of musical talent in the Western Sydney region. He is a conductor, teacher, performer, administrator and more. Garry has been both the National and NSW President of the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association (ABODA), is a founding member of the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival Advisory Panel and has been a regular clinician and adjudicator at the Festival.

Cathy Chan

Cathy Chan is a freelance conductor and music educator working in Sydney’s Inner West. She has a Masters degree in Conducting from the NSW Conservatorium of Music and works regularly with school and community groups. Cathy works with the Sydney University Wind Orchestra, the Sydney Southeast Wind Ensemble, the Arts Unit and a variety of public school music programs. Cathy studied composition with Peter Sculthorpe, Ann Boyd and Ross Edwards and is a passionate advocate for conductor development. Cathy plays many instruments but especially loves the euphonium and tuba and has helped coordinate International Tuba Day events and International Tuba Conferences.

Murray Parker

Murray Parker is a professional musician, specialising in percussion and timpani performance across many genres including film score, popular, orchestral and historically informed early music. He has played with (amongst others): The Metropolitan Orchestra, The Orchestra of Opera North (Leeds, UK), Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Opera Australia Orchestra (AOBO), Australian Chamber Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia. He has taught widely at primary and high school level, and has a particular interest in setting up foundational programs for primary school percussion groups.

Luke Thatcher

Luke is a dynamic drummer, percussionist, and educator from the United States, who holds a Master’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts from Rollins College. His early career was marked by performances at Disney World, for Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines, as well as various venues on the Las Vegas Strip. Since relocating to Australia in 2012, Luke has emerged as a central figure in the percussion community. Luke has toured extensively across Australia and, as a writer, has been published in Rhythm! Scene magazine and has also written a method book on snare drum technique called ‘The Definitive Drum Drill’. Luke is endorsed by Dynasty Drums and Innovative Percussion and is thankful for their support with his diverse musical pursuits.

Nick Russoniello

Nick is a highly accomplished and dynamic saxophonist, composer, ensemble leader and educator. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Conservatorio di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Milano, Nick has appeared as a soloist or guest musician with many of Australia’s premier arts organisations including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian World Orchestra, the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, The Metropolitan Orchestra and the Acacia Quartet. He has been the recipient of major awards including the ABC Symphony Australian Young Performer of the Year Award, Fine Music Kruger Scholarship and a finalist for the Australian Freedman Fellowship. Nick holds a doctorate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, is a Yamaha Australia Artist, D’Addario Woodwind Artist and a Represented Artist with the Australian Music centre.