Our Staff | Northern Rivers Conservatorium

Anita Bellman

Executive Director | Voice

Music has the power to heal, to unite and bring peace, to energise and mobilise, to inspire and transport the musician and audience alike. There is an immense body of research that attests to the positive impact of music education on brain development, social inclusion and cohesion and emotional intelligence and well-being. Music is also fun. Many lifetimes could be devoted to the pursuit of musical knowledge and there would still be more to learn.

Anita Bellman’s role of Executive Director of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium in the regional town of Lismore NSW is varied, to say the least. From hosting Teddy Bears Picnics for the very youngest musicians right through to being Artistic Director of her Conservatorium’s Silver Jubilee. The Silver Jubilee in 2016 was an open-air multi-artform performance of original orchestral, choral, contemporary music, movement and live projection conducted by the acclaimed Richard Gill and involving over 100 musicians, singers and performers of multi-generations.

Community engagement and partnerships are vitally important to Anita’s commitment to providing her local community with access to quality music education and performance experiences. Anita has a Bachelor of Contemporary Music majoring in voice and a Graduate Diploma of Education both from Southern Cross University. As an educator, she teaches singing and has taught in high-schools, in the vocational education and training sector and at university.

Michael Alvey

Guitar, Bass Guitar and Piano

Michael is an accomplished musician with over 35 years of experience in the music industry. Holding a Bachelor of Contemporary Music from Southern Cross University, he majored in Music Performance and Audio Production, building a career that spans live performance, teaching, composition, and music production, as well as being an experienced guitar technician.

Throughout his career, Michael has performed in numerous working bands across Australia and currently gigs full-time in the Northern Rivers with the well-established party band Pistol Whip. His passion for teaching students of all ages and skill levels led him to develop a personalized teaching method, and he is currently authoring a publication designed to accelerate student progress.

Beyond teaching and live performance, Michael has composed music for independent films, documentaries, and video games, including the award-winning Next Train from Castlemaine, which was showcased at international film festivals. He has also created bespoke music for leading production companies supplying soundtracks for television and media. With a lifelong dedication to music, he continues to inspire both audiences and students alike.

Paul Archer

School Liaison | Guitar

Paul is a highly experienced composer/guitarist and music teacher.

Paul has worked in the northern rivers as a secondary music teacher for 25 years. This included extensive work with Preliminary and HSC music students.

Not only does Paul engage with guitar students, he also teacher composition and offers tutoring for elective music students in Composition, Viva Voce and Listening skills as defined in the Board of Studies Music Syllabus.

Justin Bannister

Piano & Soul Good Band

Justin grew up in Frankenmuth Michigan, USA, and first sat at a keyboard, aged 9, to learn piano. Even back then he knew he’d found his passion and calling. And he has followed it-all the way to Australia, where he now lives with my partner, Robyn.

His musical influences include Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, Leon Russell, Jordan Rudess, Gov’t Mule, Billy Joe Shaver and Lyle Lovett. Over the last 20-years, Justin has been privileged to play and perform with musicians across the globe on projects ranging in genre from country, folk and rock to experimental, impromptu works.

In January 2017, he joined the ‘Living in the 70s’ band as a keyboard player and vocalist and has been performing the great songs of that decade ever since. “It’s always great to see our audience up and dancing and having so much fun with the music from that era!”

When he’s not performing or writing, Justin is teaching piano. Justin started teaching at the NRC in May 2021 and currently teaches in the Community Music program and runs The Soul Good Band Ensemble.

Vist website

Dan Brown

Piano

Dan Brown started playing piano as a 12 year old and went on to to study composition at ANU with Larry Sitsky.

Dan teaches in our Music in Schools program at Bangalow Public School.

Dan has enjoyed playing many international tours and major national festivals. Dan has experience in wide range of styles – pop, jazz, reggae, R&B, Electronica and hip hop all have featured in recent gigs.

Over the last 5 years Dan has performed at numerous Australian festivals – including – Adelaide fringe (Pete Murray and The ASO), Island Vibes (the bird, Red Bantoo,Fyah Walk) and Mullum Fest (Shelly Hughes) and Woodford (the Bird and Red Bantoo, Fyah Walk). He has also enjoyed 4 international tours.

As a recording artist he has co-produced/ engineered/ played and composed 3 albums, most recently Shelly Hughes’ “Where the owl was”.

Nic Campbell

Woodwind, Piano, Guitar & Youth Jazz Orchestra

We are very pleased to announce that Nic Campbell has been appointed Musical Director of both YJO and YJO Jr.

Nic is both a formidable saxophonist and pianist and excellent ensemble leader with a solid jazz foundation and a great deal of experience working with young people.

Nic Campbell was raised in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s highly selective High School. Nic was taught by many members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as well as Australia’s top Jazz musicians. Nic then completed his Bachelor of Music at the Australian Institue of Music, where he studied under Sean Coffin, a graduate of the Berkeley College of Music and the Manhattan School of music.

Nic has been conducting Concert and Stage bands since completing his studies in 2011.

Nic has also performed throughout his life as a saxophonist, pianist and guitarist. He has performed with Australian artists such as Ian Moss, Don Spencer, Casey Donovan and Judy Bailey.

He is currently the Saxophonist and guitarist for well known indigenous electronic band ‘Oka’ often headlining music festivals such as Earth Frequency, Island Vibes, Kuranda Roots Festival and many others. Nic is thrilled to be conducting the talented youth of the Northern Rivers and looks forward to passing on his knowledge and passion for music.

Rex Carter

Drums

Rex has been playing drums professionally since the early 70’s.

Based in Byron Bay and still performing regularly, Rex is a freelance musician who can be found most weekends playing in venues all over The Northern Rivers and beyond with a variety of bands including SOUL’D, Monkey and the Fish, The Well Swung Daddies, Jabiru and others. Rex was a member of The Round Mountain Girls for six years and has previously played with Jeff St John, Rory O’Donoghue and many others.

Rex started teaching drums in Sydney in 1985. He has been teaching in the NRC’s Music in Schools program and privately since moving to the Byron Shire in 2006. Rex is a father and a grandfather who has a great rapport with kids of all ages. He is a very popular tutor and always has a full schedule in the schools where he teaches.

Vist website

Jacob Donohue

Guitar, Bass Guitar & Drums

Jake has been teaching music for almost 20 years. In that time he has taught guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, music theory, songwriting and composition. As a teenager Jake first completed a certificate 4 and diploma in music at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium, before pursuing studies in composition and classical/brazilian guitar at the Melbourne Conservatorium. There he completed a bachelor of music with honours in composition.

Through Jake’s work as a disability support worker, over the years he has taught and explored music with people navigating a wide range of physical and mental challenges. Jake’s interests and performance experience covers a vast array of genres.

Wendy Ford

Voice, Piano, Guitar & Songwriting

Wendy joined the Conservatorium in 2023, prior to which she taught and conducted Youth Choir International (Campbelltown) and Fringe Kids Performing Troupe in Sydney. After returning to her native US to be a music teacher and choral director in US primary schools, she relocated to the Northern Rivers in 2012 to continue teaching and to volunteer for the NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards and Australian Songwriters Association, prior to joining the Con.

Wendy Ford currently teaches singing, piano and, guitar to students of all ages. An accomplished songwriter / performer in two bands, she also loves facilitating creation, teamwork and performance with her students to build their enjoyment and confidence.

One of her favourite quotes from a student is, “When Mum signed me up for piano, I thought I was going to hate missing class, but now I hate the thought of missing music!”

Christina Gobet-Freeman

Piano, Guitar, Voice, Ukulele

Christina is a dedicated and enthusiastic music educator who is deeply passionate about teaching students of all ages, from the young to the young at heart. With a diverse teaching background, she has taught music and French in a range of high schools and primary schools both across Australia and internationally. Since moving to the Northern Rivers area 23 years ago, Christina has offered personalized instruction in piano, singing, guitar, and ukulele. Her experience also includes running youth bands and currently teaching classroom music, where she continues to inspire and engage her students.

Christina’s musical journey began at the age of five with classical piano training, which laid a strong foundation for her exploration of various genres. She later immersed herself in blues and jazz, and her profound love for music led her to study opera and perform in musicals. Her wide-ranging musical influences include the classical elegance of Chopin, the dynamic energy of Chuck Berry, the eclectic styles of Elton John and Keith Jarrett, and the contemporary sounds of Yann Tiersen and Ludovico Einaudi.

Christina’s broad expertise and diverse influences inform her teaching approach, allowing her to connect with and motivate students across a wide spectrum of musical interests and skill levels.

Katrina Harris

Voice, Piano

Katrina Harris M.Mus.A, L.Mus.A

Katrina is a piano and singing teacher for the Music In Schools Program, currently teaching at Bangalow Primary School, Mullumbimby Public School and Byron Community Primary School.

She has a Masters Degree from Sydney University, where she studied Piano Performance under renowned Australian pianist Stephanie McCallum. Whilst studying for her Masters Degree, Katrina completed both her Associate of Music and Licentiate of Music Degrees in Piano Performance. Her Masters thesis was entitled “Female Jazz Singers and Their Contribution to the Development of Jazz”. Katrina has a passion for all forms of music, including classical, jazz, pop, blues, rock and contemporary styles.

Katrina is an established piano and vocal teacher with over 20 years experience, teaching both adults and children. She performs regularly in and around the Northern Rivers, as a soloist and as part of various bands, and is also a composer, writing music for film, and songs in the pop/jazz idiom.

Vist website

Andy Jans-Brown

Piano, Drums

Andy Jans-Brown has over 10 years experience teaching music composition, guitar, piano, voice and acting. Andy has worked both in the Music in Schools program and the Community music program at NRCAC and was the improvisation for theatre teacher at The Actors Workshop in Brisbane for many years. Andy holds a Bachelors Degree in Contemporary Music from SCU where he majored in Composition.

In the realm of music, Andy has garnered critical acclaim for his work, boasting three well-received double albums: ‘Letting Go!’ (2012), ‘Sunshine Avenue’ (2014), and ‘Hell is Light’ (2018). His upcoming fourth album, ‘Falling’, (August 2024) has been referred to as ‘an Indie-Rock Masterpiece’ by Keyline Magazine. Andy’s musical talents have taken him on extensive tours both domestically and internationally, sharing stages with renowned artists such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Portugal. The Man, and The Preatures, among many others.

As a musical director, Andy worked for The Torch Project in Melbourne, composing and arranging an original music score for their Community Music Theatre Play, ‘The Con’ which was based on famed Indigenous leader William Cooper’s letters to the King.
Whether through music, film, theatre, or poetry, Andy remains dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of our times, leaving an indelible imprint on the cultural landscape.

Laura Hymers

Woodwind

A protégée of the English oboist Fiona Garrbett, Laura completed her Music Board Examinations in the UK at the age of 15. Soon afterwards she moved to Australia and joined the Sydney Youth Orchestra, spending some years as principal oboist with them before moving to the NSW North Coast.

For the last 25 years Laura has balanced classroom primary school teaching and woodwind instrumental teaching with a varied music career. She has been teaching woodwind for the Northern Rivers Conservatorium since 2015 and regularly performs oboe and cor anglais with a wide variety of classical orchestral and chamber ensembles on the North Coast and Gold Coast.

After many years as principal oboist with the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra she now enjoys her role as principal oboist with the Lismore Symphony Orchestra. As well as strictly classical, Laura enjoys work in other musical genres including musical theatre and contemporary performance.

Fiona Kerr

Piano

BA(Hons) LLCM (T.D.)
Fiona grew up in Scotland and completed her education and early teaching experience in the UK.

In 1986, under the mentorship of Isabel Atcheson [founder of Isabella a Cappella], she pioneered the then Conservatorium programme for pre-school and early childhood music classes.In this period she also ran music sessions in numerous preschools and taught music and languages to the very first class from K-6 at Cape Byron Steiner School.

From 1993, Fiona built up a Conservatorium teaching studio in Kyogle and whilst supporting the music education of her 2 sons also learned a great deal more of music pedagogy from master teachers in Armidale and Brisbane. Since its inception in 2012, she has been privileged to be a member of Vox Caldera Chamber Choir directed by Nicholas Routley and has an increasing interest in choral and vocal work.

Fiona teaches a range of students from 5year old to adults and prepares those who wish to study for AMEB exams from prelim through to Amus. Several former students have gone on to study music at university, others are happy to take into their adult lives the joy of playing at whatever level they have achieved.

Mathew Lydon

Guitar, Violin & Junior Strings Ensemble

Mat Lydon is a guitarist and violinist with 8 years experience in instrumental tuition within community and school music programs. Mat graduated with a bachelor of contemporary music (majoring in education and production) through southern cross university in 2013.

Through 2023, Mat launched the Northern Rivers Youth String Band in partnership with Neil McCann. This is a 2 day traditional bluegrass and old-time ensemble based workshop for 9-16 year old students. Instruments include guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo and cello.

Also through 2023, Mat facilitated the junior strings ensemble with the support of Michael McCabe. Junior strings is designed for primary school-aged students currently learning violin, viola, cello or bass from beginner to third grade levels.

Mat currently plays violin with the western swing band ‘Way Out West’, the manouche jazz ensemble called Lema and also has an originals project ‘Floating Wok’ which is a guitar and drums duo often collaborating with brass players.

Mat’s current teaching program aims to build and facilitate music reading skills, listening skills “playing by ear”, ensemble experience, improvisation and developing the right technique to help make playing musical and enjoyable from the earliest stages.

Michael McCabe

Strings & Chamber Strings Ensemble

ADMT, BMus

Michael has qualifications from NSW State Conservatorium of Music in Sydney and Newcastle Conservatorium. He has been teacher, performer, conductor and administrator. In the mid-1990’s he studied conducting with Myer Fredman whilst working with youth and community orchestras in Penrith.

Michael teaches in our Community Music program onsite at the Conservatorium and in our Music in Schools program at Wyrallah Road Public School.

Exploits over the decades have included Musical Director of the Macquarie University Symphony Orchestra, musical director for various musical theatre productions in both Penrith and Newcastle, Director of Strings at St Paul’s Grammar School in Penrith for seven years where, in the early stage, he also administered the Peripatetic Program and was Head of Strings at Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music. Michael was a member of the committee for the NSW Chapter of the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) for six years.

Michael teaches violin, viola and cello at Northern Rivers Conservatorium and directs the Strings Ensemble Program.

Neil McCann

Guitar, Bass Guitar & Drums

Neil McCann has been teaching guitar and drums as well as performing and recording in the Northern Rivers for fourteen years. Before that he was teaching and performing in Sydney.

Neil teaches in our Community Music program onsite at the Conservatorium and in our Music in Schools program at Byron Bay, Empire Vale and Ocean Shores Public Schools.

Neil has performed at many national festivals including Bluesfest, Tamworth, Gympie muster, Reggae Fest and Karuah Bluegrass festival.

His teaching style is relaxed and fun with an emphasis on student goals.

Nora Pieterse

Early Childhood Music Teacher

Masters of Special Education, Bachelor of Education – Primary, Steiner Kindergarten Diploma, Orff Music – Level 1.

Nora has a lifetime of experience teaching infants through to senior students in both Steiner schools and the public school system. She has a keen interest in the provision of rich music programs accessible to all and works from a trauma informed perspective, using puppetry, dance and drama to enliven the music learning experience for young children.

Fionn Quinlan

Guitar, Bass Guitar & Drums

Fionn has been playing music for over 30 years. Whilst drums is Fionn’s main instrument he also loves to sing and play guitar. He completed his Bachelor of Contemporary Music at SCU in 2004, (majoring in Percussion and vocals). He holds a Graduate Diploma in Education and a Masters of Sociology. Fionn has played solo, with touring bands and stage musical ensembles throughout Australia, the UK and South/South East Asia.

He currently holds the stage on drums and vocals with local acts K’Flunk (Baltic, Breton Folk, Jazz) and Leopard Zebra Tiger (Soul, Reggae, Funk).
He teaches Environmental Education at Dorroughby Field Centre, and works as a casual teacher around the region.

Luke Rosten

Piano

Luke Rosten is a passionate and dedicated musician, performer and composer. Born and bred in the Lismore area, Luke started his musical journey by undertaking his first piano lessons at age 9, learning classical music and undertaking AMEB exams under Robyn Egan, until he earned a A.MUS.A at age 19. He also has a Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree majoring in education and performance, as well as an honours degree majoring in composition.

Luke has been actively involved in the local music scene since 2010 where he was part of the very first Jazz Orchestra at the Conservatorium, run by Julius Hoffstetter. Since then Luke has performed in a wide variety of bands including Mossy Rocks, Ragga Jump, Ahiru, The Well-Swung Daddies, Undercover, Ladyslug. as well as tribute acts for Jimmy Barnes and Faith No More. His diverse range of musical influences include Dream Theatre, Sergei Rachmanioff, Tigran Hamasyan, Sting, and just about all forms of video game music.

Ngyrie Starkey

Early Childhood Music Co-ordinator

Ngyrie studied for the Certificate IV in Contemporary Music majoring in vocals at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium in 2007. As a qualified Early Childhood Educator with Early Childhood Music training, she has been inspiring children with her love for music in preschools and day care centres for over 12 years. This includes devising and teaching a wholistic music program for a Melbourne based Children’s and Family Centre for traumatised and at risk children.

She has background in theatre and performance and was a member of the Melbourne performance art group Birds Business. She is a poet and songwriter.

Imogen Wolf

Voice

Imogen teaches in our Community Music program onsite at the Conservatorium. An inspiring and thoughtful teacher, she enables others to find ease, freedom and confidence in their voices, and have fun doing it.

An award-winning vocalist, Imogen has been teaching at the Conservatorium since 2002, and is the vocal tutor in the SCU Bachelor of Music program at Coomera on the Gold Coast.

With a passion for community harmony, Imogen is a choir director, arranger, and facilitator of WolfSong, an auditioned choir in Clunes, and a large community choir in Lismore.

Annual workshop offerings include two five-day singing workshops in Bellingen (Camp Creative Joy Of Singing, and Joy of Singing Winter Camp); Songs of Love and Justice in Colo; Tropical Songfest in Cairns, and Hanging RockSong, a weekend of choral singing at Hanging Rock Hall in Cawongla. She regularly facilitates Harmony Singing, Vocal Technique and Reading Music workshops.

Imogen offers students a grounding in vocal anatomy, physiology and function, providing a technical toolbox to help build their skills, as well as supporting them to become more effective performers.

Diego Zaragoza

Voice

Diego Zaragoza grew up in Vancouver Canada, where he began music lessons at the age of 4, eventually studying at VCC School Of Music. Diego began songwriting and recording music at 12 years old, and these remain his greatest musical passions.

Since moving to Australia and starting a family in 2010, Diego has played in many groups, and has had the chance to play at festivals such as Falls Festival, Cooly Rocks, Island Vibes, and Bluesfest. Diego founded Valiant Music shop in Brunswick Heads in 2014, where he produced live recordings for many touring artists such as Parcels, Montaigne, The Teskey Brothers, Liz Stringer, William Crighton and Claire Anne Taylor.

Diego currently performs with Emily Lubitz, Way Out West, and as a solo artist, while engineering and producing music in various studios around the Northern Rivers. Diego teaches Songwriting, Guitar, Voice, and Studio Production, with an emphasis on ear training, practical application, expression, collaboration, and musical identity.

Anita Bellman

Executive Director | Voice

Music has the power to heal, to unite and bring peace, to energise and mobilise, to inspire and transport the musician and audience alike. There is an immense body of research that attests to the positive impact of music education on brain development, social inclusion and cohesion and emotional intelligence and well-being. Music is also fun. Many lifetimes could be devoted to the pursuit of musical knowledge and there would still be more to learn.

Anita Bellman’s role of Executive Director of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium in the regional town of Lismore NSW is varied, to say the least. From hosting Teddy Bears Picnics for the very youngest musicians right through to being Artistic Director of her Conservatorium’s Silver Jubilee. The Silver Jubilee in 2016 was an open-air multi-artform performance of original orchestral, choral, contemporary music, movement and live projection conducted by the acclaimed Richard Gill and involving over 100 musicians, singers and performers of multi-generations.

Community engagement and partnerships are vitally important to Anita’s commitment to providing her local community with access to quality music education and performance experiences. Anita has a Bachelor of Contemporary Music majoring in voice and a Graduate Diploma of Education both from Southern Cross University. As an educator, she teaches singing and has taught in high-schools, in the vocational education and training sector and at university.

Paul Archer

School Liaison | Guitar

Paul is a highly experienced composer/guitarist and music teacher.

Paul has worked in the northern rivers as a secondary music teacher for 25 years. This included extensive work with Preliminary and HSC music students.

Not only does Paul engage with guitar students, he also teacher composition and offers tutoring for elective music students in Composition, Viva Voce and Listening skills as defined in the Board of Studies Music Syllabus.

Ngyrie Starkey

Early Childhood Music Co-ordinator

Ngyrie studied for the Certificate IV in Contemporary Music majoring in vocals at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium in 2007. As a qualified Early Childhood Educator with Early Childhood Music training, she has been inspiring children with her love for music in preschools and day care centres for over 12 years. This includes devising and teaching a wholistic music program for a Melbourne based Children’s and Family Centre for traumatised and at risk children.

She has background in theatre and performance and was a member of the Melbourne performance art group Birds Business. She is a poet and songwriter.

Teachers

Anita Bellman

Michael Alvey

Paul Archer

Justin Bannister

Dan Brown

Nic Campbell

Rex Carter

Jacob Donohue

Wendy Ford

Christina Gobet-Freeman

Katrina Harris

Andy Jans-Brown

Laura Hymers

Fiona Kerr

Sonya Lopes

Mathew Lydon

Michael McCabe

Neil McCann

Nora Pieterse

Fionn Quinlan

Luke Rosten

Ngyrie Starkey

Imogen Wolf

Diego Zaragoza

Administration

Anita Bellman

Janene Brooks

Kellie Eden

Paul Archer

Ngyrie Starkey

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Anita Bellman

Michael Alvey

Paul Archer

Justin Bannister

Dan Brown

Nic Campbell

Rex Carter

Jacob Donohue

Wendy Ford

Christina Gobet-Freeman

Katrina Harris

Andy Jans-Brown

Laura Hymers

Fiona Kerr

Mathew Lydon

Michael McCabe

Neil McCann

Nora Pieterse

Fionn Quinlan

Luke Rosten

Ngyrie Starkey

Imogen Wolf

Diego Zaragoza

Anita Bellman

Paul Archer

Ngyrie Starkey