Deb Batley

Flute, Piano, Musicianship

Bachelor of Arts (Music)

Master of Education, University of New South Wales

Associate Diploma in Music (AMusA)

Debra is the current Chair of the NSW Chapter of the Australian Society of Music Education and has been a member of the committee since 2012. Since 2015 Debra has written educational resources for Sydney Symphony Orchestra and consulted on their education programs. She is in demand as a professional learning presenter and has presented at National Conferences for Orff Schulwerk, ASME and Australian Literacy Educators Association. In 2017 Debra presented at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s inaugural teach meet. Debra is an experienced teacher of HSC music and she has marked the practical components of all courses. In 2022, Debra will be employed as a casual academic by the Sydney University at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, providing lectures to fourth-year Music Education, and Masters of Teaching students.

Debra is a passionate educational researcher. In 2017 in conjunction with Carinya Christian School, and under the mentorship of Dr Anita Collins, she was successful in securing a competitively funded grant enabling her to lead a School-Based Research Project exploring how direct instrumental music instruction could help students with learning difficulties associated with reading. The strong results of this study have been reported as widely as the Sydney Morning Herald and led to speaking invitations from as far afield as Helsinki. Debra’s writings on Education have been published in Loudmouth the Music Trust Ezine and Australian Association of Educational Research’s Journal. 

Debra has a Master of Education completing the course with Academic Excellence and inclusion on the Dean’s List. She is also a current PhD candidate at UNSW, where she is researching the relationship between music education and educational equity.  

Debra has taught piano and clarinet since 1990. She has experience with beginners through to students completing the highest grades. She has a particular interest in French Piano Music. She has a long term interest in musical theatre and has acted as musical director for over 10 musicals for school and community productions.

Kym Beare

Guitar, Drums

Bachelor of Arts (Contemporary Music)

Diploma in Education

Kym studied at the Southern Cross University completing a Bachelor of Contemporary Music (composition major) and a Graduate Diploma of Education. 

He worked in secondary education for many years as a classroom music teacher and faculty coordinator. 

Kym has composed or produced music for Aleyce Simmonds, Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont, Loren Ryan and Steve Charles. He has been a touring guitarist for acts such as The McClymonts, Adam Eckersley Band and Victoria Avenue.

You can see him playing around town with his bands, "Power of 2", "Splashpool" and the weekly Musos Jam.

Emily Bishop

Cello, Violin, Poco a Poco Strings

Emily previously studied cello at the Tamworth Conservatorium before undertaking a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium. Emily has a particular interest in early childhood development and is very keen to establish cello programs with young students in primary schools throughout Tamworth.

Noelene Bosworth

Director/CEO

Brass, Woodwinds, Regional Youth Orchestra

Bachelor of Creative Arts

Diploma in Education

Diploma of Business Administration

Noelene has been teaching brass at the TRCM since 1995. Over those years at the TRCM Noelene has held the positions of Head of Brass and Woodwind, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning and Program Manager. Noelene commenced her role as Director of TRCM at the beginning of 2016. Prior to working at the TRCM Noelene was a member of the Australian Army Band Sydney and worked as a brass teacher in Grafton, Toowoomba and Sydney, as well as having been a member of staff at the University of New England, Armidale teaching brass.  Noelene has travelled throughout the state to tutor for the Department of Education Regional Instrumental Camps as well as travelling internationally as a tutor for Department of Education Combined Band tours.

Tammy Clark

Vocal

Tammy has grown up on the stage. She started dance lessons at the age of 5 and singing lessons at 8 years of age. After leaving school Tammy studied and then worked as a nurse. Music and musical theatre remained her passion and so in 2014 when an opportunity was offered for her to teach vocal and musical theatre at Gunnedah Conservatorium she was quick to snatch it up and start sharing her experience with others.

Her vocal training includes AMEB exams to grade 7 and completion of the teacher AMEB training in the musical theatre syllabus. Tammy has gained most of her knowledge through performance opportunities both rurally and on the coast of NSW. She has worked with both groups and vocal soloists. In 2018 Tammy played the lead role of Velma Kelly in the Gunnedah Conservatorium’s sell-out production of Chicago. In 2019 she joined the Tamworth musical society playing Babette in Beauty and the Beast and also performing in the cast of Boy from Attunga.

Tammy has been a vocal and musical theatre teacher at Gunnedah Conservatorium since 2014 and even after moving to Tamworth in 2017 her dedication to her students lead her to travel to Gunnedah for 3 years in order to continue their tuition. Tammy made the difficult decision at the end of 2019 to say goodbye to her Gunnedah students and move her studio to Tamworth.

Tammy teaches individual and group vocal lessons. Lessons involve working with each student as individuals and using their interests as a foundation to commence their musical journey. She exposes students to a variety of music genres including art songs, pop, jazz, and country, folk and musical theatre. Students are encouraged to perform and offered the opportunity to complete AMEB exams. Tammy believes each voice is an instrument and with guidance and support, students can learn to use their vocal gifts to their fullest potential.

Tammy is currently completing her Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary).

Diane Cork

Musicianship, Music Craft

Bachelor of Arts/Diploma in Education, University of Sydney

Diploma in International Education, Monash University

Certificate in Gifted & Talented, University of NSW

Diane has recently retired from teaching music in secondary schools after 40 years and also has extensive experience in preparing students for AMEB exams, both in instrumental and theoretical studies, with excellent results. Diane also has a wide range of experience with performance groups, both choral, instrumental and musical theatre and at various times has been a member of groups such as Tamworth Clarinet Choir, Regional Youth Orchestra and Salon Orchestra. Her involvement in Arts activities has also included the TRCM Board, Arts Council, Musica Viva and ABC Concerts Committees, amongst others. She is at present enjoying specialising in teaching Theory, Musicianship and Music Craft through all levels to music students at the Conservatorium.

Iris Cornwell

Violin tutor

Violin Performance, AMEB

Iris has been playing the violin for over 12 years and has been a student at the Tamworth Con for 10 years.

Since completing all of her AMEB grades she has begun working toward her AMUS for 2022.

Iris has gained ensemble experience from her 6 years as a part of the Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra of which she is currently concert master, also through her participation in Arts Unit camp and touring orchestras, amongst other projects. 

James Craswell

Guitar

Bachelor of Music, University of New England

A former student of TRCM, James Craswell is one of the region’s most prolific and in-demand guitarists and vocalists. He has performed on stages big and small with a wide variety of acts, including Jimmy Craz Band, The O Trio, SumAssault, Merchants of Venice and the UNE Jazz Band. 

He started teaching guitar in his late teens while studying music at UNE and prides himself on versatility, teaching a great many styles of music across a large range of age groups.

Brett Dallas

Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele

Golden Guitar winner, 2018 (Producer of 'Lighthouse' - Ashleigh Dallas)

Brett has been a professional musician for more than 35 years and has been sharing his craft at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music as a guitar teacher since 2005. With a world of music industry knowledge, musicianship skills and a strong understanding of the importance of music theory, Brett encourages all of his students and enjoys watching them grow as musicians. As a professional session musician, Brett has played on countless Albums offering his creativeness and letting his guitar do the talking, making him an extremely popular guitar player within Australia. Brett has also produced and engineered several albums, and one of his proudest productions and full-time commitments is his daughter's (Ashleigh Dallas), producing her albums and playing full-time in her band and creative leader as Musical Director. Along with the fundamentals and important techniques, Brett also teaches the necessary skills and attributes to play and succeed in today's music business.

Natallia Dunn

Piano, Accompanist

Bachelor Degree in Teaching Music and Singing, Minsk State Pedagogical University, Belarus

Diploma of Teaching of Musical School and Concertmaster, Mogilev Musical College, Belarus

Natallia was born in Belarus and started her musical history at the music school in the City of Bobruisk in Belarus at the age of seven.

After learning piano at the music school she continued her studies at the Musical College in the City of Mogilev for four years and at the State Pedagogical University in the City of Minsk in Belarus for 5 years Natallia went on to be a teacher and accompanist.

Natallia has 30 years of experience in teaching the piano and in accompanying various musical instruments and 15 years of experience in the coordination of the Piano Department in Bobruisk at the Children’s Musical School.

Since Natallia arrived in Australia ten years ago she has had during this time her own private piano teaching practice and experience of teaching the piano at the Australian Academy of Music in Brendale Queensland.

Natallia is an enthusiastic, creative piano teacher who loves to work with children and adults and she is infinitely in love with her profession.

Brooke Gillett

Early Childhood Music

Diploma in Children's Services

Brookie Gillett is passionate about Early Childhood Music education. She has worked with young children and families since 2001 and understands the profound positive effects that musical opportunities have on all areas of a child's development and growth. She holds a Diploma of Children's Services and is currently studying a Bachelor of Music part-time. Brookie studied AMEB Pianoforte and Classical Voice and also enjoys playing the ukulele. She is a member of the Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association and is keenly interested in pursuing further qualifications in her Orff Levels and Kodaly Method in the future. Brookie has been involved in local musical theatre for many years, with two of her favourite roles being Glinda the Good Witch of the North in Wicked and Eponine in Les Miserables. She has toured interstate in a folk duo as a singer-songwriter, performing many years at the incomparable Woodford Folk Festival. She has three beautiful children who are all showing early signs of being musical geniuses!

Colin Gutteridge

Woodwinds, Schools Program

Colin teaches clarinet and saxophone as well as working in our school’s programs. Colin was a member of the Royal Australian Navy Band where he was trained in many different styles of music, Classical, Concert Band, Swing, Dixieland Jazz, etc. Colin has worked in the Music Industry and Music Shops for 39 years, in that time he has also been teaching privately for 36 years and doing musical instrument repairs.

Annette Hamilton

Piano, Junior Children's Choir

Bachelor of Arts (Music) - University of Sydney

Diploma of Education - Sydney Teachers College 

A.S.C.M. Pianoforte (NSW State Conservatorium of Music)

Annette completed her secondary schooling at the Conservatorium High School where she attained the Associate of the State Conservatorium of Music in piano and level 5 in violoncello. Following this, she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Music and History) at Sydney University and a Diploma of Education at Sydney Teachers College. Annette has taught music in several public high schools around NSW and has been selected to accompany the Combined Choirs at a number of Opera House Choral Concerts. Since 1998 she has taught at Calrossy Anglican School, including ten years as Head of Music. During her career as a high school music teacher, Annette has directed several choirs, orchestras, musical theatre performances and eisteddfod performances. She is delighted to be using her diverse experiences in piano performance to guide current students of Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music.

Ian Hocquard

Brass, Piano, Djembe, School Programs, Conservatorium Concert Band

Diploma of Music

Bachelor of Arts (Music)

Diploma in Education

Ian brings several years of teaching experience to the Conservatorium including group music classes, individual tuition to HSC level and conducting primary school concert bands. He began learning piano at age 8 and the French Horn at age 12. After graduating from Newcastle University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Music (French Horn major) and in 2002 with a Diploma of Education (Primary), he worked as a primary classroom teacher and music specialist in various schools around NSW.

Ian currently teaches curriculum-based school programs, brass, piano and djembe programs in a number of schools and other educational facilities in the Tamworth region, and conducts the Conservatorium Concert Band. He has performed in a number of operatic and musical productions in Newcastle, Singleton and Tamworth, and is a current member of the Australian Army Band Newcastle.

Danielle Jones

Vocal

Double Bachelor of Contemporary Music (Vocals and Piano), JMC Academy

Musical Theatre certificates, Trinity London Music College

Classical Piano, Music Theory and Performance Studies, AMEB

During Danielle's time studying she was awarded an exclusive internship in music teaching as well as being headhunted for a position in Early Childhood Music which she has dedicated the last five years too as well as directing her own private studio in Brisbane, teaching Piano, Voice and managing teachers for other disciplines.

Danielle is a country music artist whose debut single played on country music radio stations worldwide. She has performed for the Gympie Music Muster, The Country Music Showdown and the Charters Towers festival.

Various professional development experiences include The Australian Musical Theatre Workshop, songwriting with Pat Patterson (Berklee College of Music), performing at many exclusive Brisbane venues such as The Zoo and The Foundry, while being selected as a Logan Council Live Artist two years running. Performing the opening of the World Masters Championships was a career highlight to date.

Danielle loves to balance theoretical knowledge with practical performing experience when crafting her students' goals and assisting in their musical aspirations from the ages of zero to a hundred!

Jacquie Langston

Woodwinds, Ukulele, Musicianship, Music Craft

Bachelor of Music Studies (Performance), University of Sydney

Jacqueline Langston has had a long association with the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music, beginning her musical education here before moving to Sydney for her tertiary studies. At the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, she completed her Bachelor of Music Degree majoring in performance on the flute under the instruction of James Kortum, Margaret Crawford and Mark Walton.

At the TRCM and in their Schools Programs Jacquie has taught Flute, Musicianship, Clarinet, Recorder, Early Childhood Music, Oboe, Bassoon, Ukulele, Percussion and Beginner Piano. Jacquie has also been a Conductor of the Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra, TRCM Flute Ensemble, TRCM Concert Band and a Musical Director for Tamworth Musical Society, performing in over 20 musicals. Jacquie loves to see students of all ages and from all across the state have access to musical education, and in addition to Tamworth, she has travelled to towns around the region to teach students from Gunnedah, Quirindi, Nundle and Woolomin.

Emily Lysaght

Piano, Woodwinds, School Programs

From a young age, Emily has surrounded herself with music. She has studied Clarinet at The Con alongside other woodwind instruments as well as learning Piano. Having started her teaching career at the Young Regional School of Music she was excited to move home and teach at The Con in 2019!

Her passion lies with teaching people to appreciate, enjoy and communicate through music whilst learning their instrument of choice. Music as a whole can play such an important role in the development of babies and young children and she believes it's important to foster a relationship with music from a young age. She is particularly interested in the therapeutic elements of music and hopes to one day undertake the study to become a Musical Therapist.

Jarron McGrane

Jarron began learning music at an early age studying piano, violin, viola, double bass, tuba and drums. Jarron has been a member of the Regional Youth Orchestra, RYO NSW, Tamworth RSL Brass Band and Gunnedah Shire Band performing at State and National competitions. Jarron was selected over 9 consecutive years to be a member of the State Wind Band, performing in the Opera House on either tuba or percussion each year. Jarron has also been selected as a member of the West of Divide Wind Band, touring to Hawaii and Europe.

Todd Power

Piano, Accompanist

Bachelor of Music (Performance & Creative Production), University of Newcastle (2010)

Master of Design Science (Audio and Acoustics), University of Sydney (2012)

Todd has a long history with the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music, beginning piano lessons with Janette Woodbridge at the age of five. Since receiving degrees in Music and Audio Engineering, he has returned to Tamworth and commenced teaching in 2013. Todd is an active member of the Tamworth Musical Society, performing in shows such as Wicked, Sunset Boulevard, Mary Poppins and Annie, and was the Musical Director for Rock of Ages (2017) and Disney's Beauty and the Beast (2019). He also frequently accompanies the Tamworth Choral Society during rehearsals and performances. Since 2016, Todd has been a Convenor of Music for the City of Tamworth Eisteddfod Society.

Samara Power

Ensembles Coordinator

Strings, Ensembles

Associate Diploma in Music (AMusA)

Samara began learning the violin at the age of six and was awarded her AMusA in 2010, whilst a student at the Tamworth Conservatorium. She was a member of the Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra for many years and now considers it a great privilege to conduct the same ensemble. As a teacher, her passions include sharing the love of music and developing transferrable skills to help students make music with friends.

Isaac Smith

Jane Stewart

A.Mus.A Piano

A.Mus.A Pipe Organ

L.Mus.A Pipe Organ

L.T.C.L. Pipe Organ

Bachelor of Arts, Sydney University

Masters in Music, Piano Performance, London University (Goldsmiths College)

Honorary Carillonist, Sydney University

Jane Stewart was lucky enough to start music lessons at three, and was reading and writing music before she could read and write words.

She has been passionate about playing, performing and composing since then.

Jane completed her A.Mus.A in Piano while still at school, following up with an A.Mus.A in Organ (with Distinction) while studying with Peter Kneeshaw at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.

While she originally moved to London to study acting at Rose Bruford College, Jane ended up completing a Masters in Music at London University (Goldsmiths College).

On her return to Australia, Jane continued performing as a pianist, accompanist and recital organist, working as Director of Music and Conductor at churches around Sydney.

In 2015, Jane commenced studying the carillon and is now one of the Honorary Carillonists at Sydney University.

Jane and her family moved to the Tamworth region at the end of 2022 and she is extremely excited to find herself in such a musical part of the world.

Jane's joy is in connecting with each individual student and helping them to discover their own innate musicality and love of music.