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Home , Adele Live, Australian jazz, Daniel Merriweather, Jenny Morris (musician), Josh Wakely, Lisa McCune

Official newsletter of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University (Issue 48) June 2017

WORLD MUSIC ADVENTURES Ashley de Neef’s fusion project TIM VAN DER KUIL on the road with NELSON BAKER stars in ‘The Warriors’

Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Page 1 LIFE WITH ADELE YOUNG GUNS FIRE UP ADELE’S GUITARIST AND MUSIC DIRECTOR MUSIC AWARDS GIVES A WEEK-LONG SERIES OF MASTERCLASSES AT WAAPA WAAPA MUSIC GRADUATES WIN ACCOLADES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Photos by Media Art Photos by Media

When guitarist Tim Van Der Kuil arrived English in in 1996, he thought he would walk songstress, straight off the plane and into a record deal. After Adele. all, he’d done the hard yards, studying jazz for Eight years four years at WAAPA before moving to ago, Van Der where he played in his own band and for other Kuil was playing artists, including pop singer . guitar with Sydney-born artist So with the dream of making it big, Van De at the Shepherd’s Bush “Doing the jazz course Kuil recloated to London – at the time, the hub of Empire in London when Adele, who sang on on opened up my knowledge of harmony,” he

Photo by Castaway Photography the Britpop explosion when bands such as Blur Merriweather’s 2009 album Love and War on the Basemant Photo by Bird’s says. “What I got from the jazz course was an and Oasis were making their names. Van De track ‘’, turned up backstage. understanding of harmony and theory where Kuil couldn’t wait to be a part of it. The 48-year-old recalls that, in true Adele it doesn’t matter who I’m in a band with, I can n May 15, ’s jazz music with sidemen such as Jamie Oehlers and WAM’s CEO Mike Harris said, “I have seen It took three years before Van De Kuil’s fashion, she made everyone in the band a cup communicate with them.” community gathered at ’s Daniel Susnjar, he seems to be playing and Sydnee Carter grow as a performer over the alternative rock group, The Vegastones, was of tea. As a music director on tour, Van Der Kuil is Opremier Bird’s Basement to composing with advanced maturity way past few years, and Sydnee’s Grand Prize win signed to Richard Branson’s V2 label. The band A little over a year later, when Adele needed a responsible for such things as sourcing string celebrate the 2017 Jazz Bell Awards. beyond his 22 years. Each piece has an is a deserved testament to her talent.” made an album, had a bit of low-key airplay, second guitarist for the world tour of her record- players or choral backing in each destination, so Taking out the Bell Award for Young utterly contemporary narrative defined by the Being only 19 years old makes this feat appeared as a support act for Duran Duran and breaking second album, 21, she instructed her being able to read a score is imperative. Australian Jazz Artist Of The Year presented talents of each band member and built on the even more impressive, yet Carter already spent around five years “doing the toilet tours management to track down “the Aussie from tradition of post .” “So I could end up with the world’s most by Fender Katsalidis Architects was 2015 boasts a string of early achievements to around the UK”. Merriweather’s band”. accomplished jazz pianist – which we actually WAAPA graduate, pianist Harry Mitchell. Mitchell plans to use the $5,000 Bell prize her name. On her CV already are previous “It didn’t stick and things just dissolved,” says Since joining Adele’s touring line-up in do have in Adele’s band – but we can talk on a The Bells are named in honour of the late money towards another recording project with Song Of The Year nominations, a stint on X Van Der Kuil. November 2010, Van De Kuil has enjoyed the level about music. Having trained in jazz music, great jazz pioneer AO MBE, and the same musicians. Factor, a Telstra Road To Discovery grand Although he’d vowed he’d never be a session surreal pleasure of working with one of the best- which is harmonically advanced compared recognise excellence in the performance, “Being able to perform with people of such finalist, showcases at Music Matters Live in guitarist, that was exactly the kind of work Van selling recording artists in the world. to pop music, I don’t feel I’ve ever had to feel recording and presentation of jazz in Australia. a high calibre whilst at uni was a big part of Singapore, and a recent collaboration with Slumberjack storming up the charts. Der Kuil was offered when his band folded. He says the impact of just who he is working intimidated by anyone else’s knowledge.” Mitchell has been playing piano since the what makes the WAAPA jazz course great,” Ironically, he was asked to play guitar on other with hits home most often when they are At the end of the 2016 World Tour, age of 8 and jazz since of 13. Mitchell says. “The lecturers at WAAPA are Harry Mitchell, hot on the heels of his Bell musicians’ records because Van Der Kuil had great teachers as well as players, which is not Award, picked up his second award in one rehearsing. “When you’re just hanging out in a Van Der Kuil spent a week at WAAPA giving Earlier this year the up-and-coming pianist/ developed what he calls “an artist’s mentality” – always the case for other courses.” week for his song, Ignacio; Composition/Music dressingroom somewhere, going, ‘Shall we just masterclasses to the Contemporary, Music composer released his self-titled debut album, the ability to creatively collaborate with Tech graduate Jake Steele, aka Tobacco Rat, run this quickly?’ and then you start playing and Artists and Jazz students. He then returned which features the talents of tenor saxophonist “The visiting artist program is excellent too, other musicians. won the electronic category for his wonky hear that voice coming back at you and you’re to Britain for Adele’s four final live shows at Jamie Oehlers, drummer Daniel Susnjar, but just as valuable is the students getting to bass heavy club track, Infra; and homegrown “I felt like I had a choice: do I go with what has like, ‘Hang on, I’m the one playing guitar to that,’ Wembley Stadium in late June. guitarist Jeremy Thomson and bass player play with the lecturers every week and seeing opened up and is feeling like the path of least – it’s kind of awesome.” indie-rock act Rag n’ Bone – comprised of four So, after a year and a half performing with Karl Florisson. them play, who are all of an international resistance or do I keep banging my head against standard. I remember at WAAPA I got to have Contemporary Music graduates, Kiera Alice Prior to his work with Adele, Van Der Kuil Adele in countries all round the world, what was Mitchell was taught at WAAPA by Oehlers the wall of wanting to be in a successful band? lessons with Aaron Golberg and Walter Smith Owen, Axel Carrington, Sara McPherson and worked with a variety of different artists both the highlight of the tour for Van Der Kuil? and Susnjar, both of whom are previous Bell “So I felt like this was a lesson in how live and in the studio, such as Adele, , Taylor – those two lessons really shaped how I think Jamie Gallacher – took out the punk/hardcore “For me it was Perth, for me it was coming Award winners. Oehlers, WAAPA’s Head of to deviate, how to be fluid and flexible and Swift, The Script, and Mika. about music.” category. back and playing at Subi Oval,” he laughs. “I Jazz, counts four Bells among his swag of understand that in music, it might not always be The annual WAM Song of the Year Back in his early post-band days, Van Der Kuil used to go and watch football matches there national and international awards. Meanwhile at the 2017 WAM Song of the the path that you intended but if you’re suited Year Awards in Perth, recent WAAPA Music competition recognizes and promotes the became known among London music producers so that was my highlight, that was the one that Peter Wockner in Jazz and Beyond wrote to it, you can make a decision to deviate from Artists’ graduate Sydnee Carter took out the original songwriting of WA musicians with over as the ‘go-to’ guitarist for recording and touring. meant the most to me personally.” that: “… with Mitchell’s self-titled debut the path. Which I’m really glad I did, otherwise I coveted Grand Prize with her song When We $40,000 worth of prizes in 16 categories. Later this extended to being a music director for containing six originals and one standard wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.” artists like Sia and Adele, a career move that Were Young. Inset photo: Tim Van Der Kuil (centre back) with students from What Tim Van Der Kuil is doing now is playing Van Der Kuil traces directly back to his WAAPA WAAPA’s Music Artists course. Left: Harry Mitchell receiving his Bell Award from Fender Katsalidis, sponsor of the Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year Award, and Albare Dadon, Chairman of Jazz Bell Awards guitar and being music director for chartbusting jazz training. Right: Sydnee Carter with MC Magnus Danger Magnus at the 2017 WAM Awards

Page 2 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Page 3 DA COSTA’S SPECIAL YEAR A SMASH-HIT MULTI-MEDIA CONCERT, A NEW RECORDING LABEL AND THE LOAN OF A 1701 STRADIVARIUS VIOLIN – IT’S TURNING OUT TO BE A VERY BIG YEAR FOR ALEXANDRE DA COSTA

local side (and Da Costa’s team), the “It’s a new territory for me, I didn’t used to Canadiens. have Australia integrated in my concert circuit In place of the usual rockers and big-time before but now it is.” crooners, Da Costa took to the strings in the Earlier this year Da Costa gave his first pre-game ceremonies to perform the American concert and masterclass tour on the east coast, and Canadian national anthems – making taking in Melbourne, Sydney and , with him the first violinist to play these live during a more future national engagements booked. professional sports event. Ice hockey in Canada This year’s overseas concerts will see him and the US can reach up to 5 million viewers perform in Canada, America, Mexico, A WINNING BEAT Storytelling Company A Photo by GRACE: per game. and Austria. A highlight is his return to the Vienna While freezing ice rink is not an ideal venue in Symphony at the end of the year as a guest ACTING GRADUATE JOSH WAKELY which to play a violin, Da Costa says he couldn’t concertmaster for the 2018 New Year’s Concert. PICKS UP AN EMMY FOR HIS ANIMATED pass up the opportunity. “The violin doesn’t This touring schedule may sound exhausting CHILDREN’S TELEVISION SERIES necessarily react very well to that temperature but it is the norm for Da Costa and, as he sees it, The Seven/Netflix produced series Beat Three years on from securing the rights but hey, who doesn’t risk anything doesn’t get an integral part of his commitment to WAAPA. anything so I was happy to do it and it was a fun Bugs, created by WAAPA Acting graduate for songs, Wakely is now “I am an international violinist and I’ve been experience that I will always remember.” turned director, screenwriter and producer carving something of a niche in music travelling for as long as I can remember,” he Josh Wakely, has won a 2017 Daytime catalogue-inspired series. “It’s something to tell my kids,” he laughs. says. “For me it’s important to remain an active Creative Emmy. In addition to The Beatles catalogue, “To say, daddy was the first on a hockey rink to soloist as I think an important part of my worth ever play on a carbon fibre violin both national The 44th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Wakley’s production company, Grace, has to WAAPA lies in being an inspiration as a Awards ceremony, which honours the secured the exclusive rights to the music anthems from Canada and the US, it’s kind performer to my students and to the school of special.” crafts behind American daytime television publishing catalogues of and Bob in general.” programming, was held in Pasadena, Dylan, and is producing animated children’s Special seems to be Da Costa’s touchstone It’s been two years since Da Costa moved California on April 28. series based on them. this year, with his new show, Stradivarius at from Montreal to Perth to take over the role of The animated children’s television series, For his new Netflix series drawing on the Opera, premiering in Montreal in a series of Head of Strings at WAAPA. Together with his sold-out shows in January. based on the catalogue of John Lennon and the Motown catalogue, Wakely has signed WAAPA colleagues, his goal has been to build Paul McCartney, won Outstanding Writing in up as Executive Music The show will start its world-wide tour in one of the strongest string programs in the Asia- a Preschool Animated Program for Wakely, Producer. Canada from November through to March 2018 Pacific region. Cleon Prineas and Joshua Mapleston. The untitled Motown project revolves before it heads to the US and Europe in 2019, As part of this, Da Costa has initiated an with an Australiasian tour slated for 2019-2020. “With we started with the around the adventures of a shy eight-year- annual program that allows the best of WAAPA’s greatest songwriting of all time and, with a old boy named Ben with an extraordinary “It’s not really a concert, it’s a multi-media classical music students to spend their mid-year team of extraordinary writers, we tried to artistic ability to bring street-art to life. Ben show,” Da Costa explains. “We have extensive break in Canada performing and touring with do it justice,” said Wakely recently in his and his family live in the imaginary city projections happening behind the musicians, Montreal’s Orchestre de la Francophonie. acceptance speech. of Motown, based on Detroit and its rich we have the biggest and most complex lighting “I now have wonderful responsibilities at This is the latest gong for Wakely and his musical heritage. effects that I’ve seen so far in the classical WAAPA, I’m doing everything I can for the n January this year, world renowned violinist the possibility of a loan finishing, so it’s a music business, we have everything ranging team. Beat Bugs has also won an AACTA Wakely, who now splits his time between institution and for my students and I think Award for Best Children’s Television Series, Los Angeles and Sydney (his animations are and WAAPA’s Head of Strings Alexandre Da constant pressure. from smoke and fog on the stage to lighting it’s bearing fruit,” says Da Costa. “This year Costa was privileged to be awarded a decade- effects and costumes. It’s going to shake up and an Australian Writers’ Guild AWGIE for crafted out of a studio in Sydney’s Artarmon) I “This 10-year loan allows me to develop a lot of incredibly talented students joined Best Writing in an Animation for Wakely’s is yet to announce who will be collaborating long loan of a precious 1701 Stradivarius violin. what we have in mind when we think of classical long-term projects in the knowledge I will have our department, the level is going up very own episode ‘Yellow Submarine.’ The series on the new series, but he has revealed that “To have this violin – which is one of the best music concerts.” a great instrument to play for all the concerts, significantly and this can be assessed through has been nominated for five Emmy Awards, audiences can look forward to hearing some ones I’ve ever played – loaned to me for 10 tours, recordings, videos, everything I need to In addition, Da Costa recently released the the quality of the concerts. So the formula is including Outstanding Writing in a Preschool well-loved tracks. years, that’s one of the biggest prizes I could do to blossom as an artist.” CD of Stradivarius at the Opera, recorded really working.” Animated Program and Wakely has been ever win in my career,” says Da Costa. “It’s an “There are some huge names that we Da Costa, who is renowned for the peerless with the Vienna Symphony and with Da Costa nominated for Outstanding Directing in a honour to play this violin and to have access to as conductor and soloist, on the Sony have [on board],” he explained in a recent technique of his playing, describes the 1701 Preschool Animated Program. interview. “It’s so great to have the blessing it for such a long period of time is really what Stradivarius as a very powerful instrument. “It Classical label. makes it very special.” The company’s first two seasons of of people like Smokey Robinson, and The has this raw power that I’m looking for in a violin This, along with a recording of Tchaikovsky Beat Bugs, which interweave iconic Temptations and .” Previously, Da Costa has played on a 1730 because it allows me to play in very big halls works – including the famous Violin Concerto Beatles songs sung by current artists with Guarneri del Gesù violin and the 1727 Di “Having been raised on the music of without having to press on the violin or squeeze – marks the beginning of a new partnership compelling narratives for preschoolers, Barbaro Stradivarius. the sound out. It’s very comfortable for me to between Da Costa and the renowned classical Motown, I am very grateful to have been aired in more than 190 countries via Netflix entrusted with these songs as I draw “Such incredible violins are not easy to come play this violin.” music label. (Channel 7 in Australia). inspiration from the stories and characters by and to convince people to put them in my In addition to the Stradivarius, Da Costa has a While Da Costa’s ties to his native Canada With music produced by ’s found within them.” hands for a long period of time is also not an new black carbon fibre violin. It was this striking, and the northern hemisphere see him regularly , Beat Bugs showcases a easy task,” explains the Montreal-born virtuoso. “Considering the talent we have on board futuristic-looking violin that he played in January travel across the world for performances, he star vocal cast of the world’s most popular “In the past I’ve had various loans ranging from paired with the Netflix global platform, our this year at the North American ice hockey is also in the process of increasing his concert and acclaimed artists, including P!nk, one to three years and even though the loans goal is to create something extraordinary championships in Montreal, Canada between schedule in Australia. Sia, , , Eddie were usually renewed, there’s always the Buffalo Sabres from New York and the that can be enjoyed across generations.” Alexandre Da Costa’s new release on Sony Classical Vedder and Robbie Williams. Page 4 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Page 5 BREAKOUT ROLE WORLD MUSIC FOR BAKER ADVENTURES After graduating from WAAPA room to put in the hard work and last year, Nelson Baker immediately sweat to not only tell a story but A JAZZ/WEST AFRICAN FUSION BAND IS THE CREATIVE landed a lead role in the ABC’s new to tell our story – our history and television comedy-drama series, culture. I learnt more at uni about BRAINCHILD OF BASS PLAYER ASHLEY DE NEEF The Warriors, which premiered on myself and my people’s history than April 12. I have anywhere else.” Filmed in Melbourne, The At the end of that year, Baker Warriors explores the elite world wanted to go home to Broome to of professional AFL through the “rest and relax and go back to my eyes of recruits and established old life for a bit”. players living in a share house. The “But it wasn’t the same when eight-part series was created by I went home. Life changed. I year in France, Belgium and Tony Briggs (The Sapphires) and changed. And all of a sudden I had but “everything is dependent on getting the Robert Connolly (Paper Planes, this drive to be in the industry.” African guys to Europe as they only come Barracuda). once a year or so.” De Neef would also love Although the Aboriginal Theatre The Broome-raised indigenous to bring the band to Australia, but says it is course offers a unit of study in actor, 23, who plays Zane, the a matter of finding the right performances film acting, Baker felt he needed number five draft pick, stars opportunities to suit the project. more on-camera training before alongside Lisa McCune, John he launched his acting career. So De Neef believes West of the World was Howard and Vince Colosimo. he auditioned for WAAPA’s Screen the result of the skills and connections he Baker says working with the Performance course and was made during his student years. Aussie actor veterans was “an accepted. “The most important thing I learned from honour”. He describes how kind “So I went back for another year my time at WAAPA was that playing music McCune was to him, how Howard at uni to a place where it was not at is all about communication: between you gave him advice on learning lines, all easy but I felt I belonged. and your band mates, and between the and how Colosimo inspired the “The main tool that both courses performers and the audience. I really value novice indigenous actors. the fact that my time at WAAPA not only gave me was confidence, knowing In 2015, Baker was accepted taught me how to be better at my instrument, what you’re doing on set and with into WAAPA’s Aboriginal Theatre but also how to communicate with all different yourself in your acting,” says Baker. West of the World, the debut album from ‘life changing’ because it was there that course, which was both challenging types of people in a very genuine way. “Everything the courses offer, from Australian bassist/composer Ashley de Neef De Neef met the musicians in the band and a revelation for the young learning how to read a script to “I became really aware of this lesson in and his world music band, brings together Burkina Azza. aspiring actor. knowing how everything works, making this album with musicians who didn’t eight musicians from five different countries “I fell in love with the sound and intensity “The fact that 22 other indigenous helped me so much. It gave me speak English. Our verbal communication to create a unique musical blend of tradition of Burkina Azza’s music and the idea for a men and woman from all over such a strong platform to work from was pretty weak, but that didn’t affect our and innovation. collaboration was born.” Australia came together from all and I felt more than ready to take musical interaction.” West of the World is a collaboration West of the World is the stunning result, different lands and tribes in one on this great role in The Warriors.” De Neef plans to base himself in London between traditional West-African musicians pairing West-African instruments such as Photos courtesy of ABC’s “The Warriors” from the small African country of Burkina the balafon, djembe and kora with jazz for the foreseeable future, with a view to Faso and jazz musicians from Australia, instruments like double bass, trumpet and pursuing other collaborative projects similar Europe and America. saxophone. In addition to De Neef and to his West of the World experience with different cultures. The eight musicians involved in the project, the musicians of Burkina Azza, the album EXPLORE SHORT COURSES ENROL NOW “I’m really into Armenian and Georgian who speak four different languages, met in features Sam Priven from the USA – who Whether you are a beginner or a professional there is a Please enrol and pay online at waapa.ecu.edu.au/explore Toulouse, France to rehearse and record the was an exchange student at WAAPA – on music at the moment, so hopefully I can WAAPA short course for you. Taught by industry experts, All courses are subject to minimum enrolment numbers. music in four days. alto saxophone, Mirko Cisilino from Italy on make something happen over there in the these weekend, week night and school holiday workshops Check the WAAPA website for full details and to apply. near future!” offer practical tuition in the areas of acting, screen “We all had to learn to communicate across trumpet and Marco Quarantotto from FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on drums. performance, music, singing, dancing and music theatre. our language barriers very quickly in order to “My fondest memories of being at WAAPA Explore Short Course Coordinators are of playing music till 2 or 3 am with my WAAPA’s Explore Short Courses are a great way to get a make the album possible,” says the B Mus De Neef, who moved to London in Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts classmates. Sometimes working together taste of what WAAPA has to offer, allowing you to finetune (Honours) Jazz Performance graduate. 2015, has documented the creation and 2 Bradford Street, Mount Lawley, Western Australia 6050 on concepts we were taught in class, other your skills or learn some new ones. The courses are run De Neef says he didn’t have any real development of the band in his world-music all year round, and are aimed at everyone from school Telephone: (61 8) 9370 6636 podcast The Roving Sounds Radio Show, times writing our own stuff or just playing interest in world music until a fellow student students and young adults to professionals. Email: [email protected] which details the production of the album for fun. I think the atmosphere at WAAPA is at WAAPA introduced him to the music of Explore website: waapa.ecu.edu.au/explore Ghana. Another student then recommended from conception to recording. really unique in that you’re surrounded by so • ACTING many high level students and staff who are a drumming tour to West Africa with the With half the band living in Burkina Faso, • MUSIC as dedicated to their craft as you are, and this Australian group, African Drumming, which and the rest of the members residing in • MUSIC THEATRE really pushes you to keep growing.” De Neef signed up for. De Neef describes London, Italy and America, getting together • WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM that 2013 trip, which took him to Ghana and for gigs is problematic at best. De Neef To listen to West of the World, go to https:// • SUMMER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM rovingsounds.bandcamp.com/ the small African country of Burkina Faso, as is in the process of arranging shows next • CORPORATE TRAINING

Page 6 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Page 7 CANADIAN DIRECTOR AT WAAPA PROFESSOR PEGGY SHANNON FROM ’S RYERSON UNIVERSITY DIRECTS WAR-TIME CLASSIC

TOSCA BRINGS Out of this chance meeting Shannon has now directed at WAAPA and Andrew Lewis will travel to Toronto in November to direct a TENOR HOME holiday pantomime. Shannon said she felt privileged to direct The Diary of Anne AFTER A DECADE SINGING Frank, with the WAAPA season marking the 70th anniversary of the IN THE OPERA HOUSES book’s publication. “The play was brought to life beautifully by ten extraordinary OF EUROPE, PAUL O’NEILL actors and a team of wonderful production and design students,” RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA said Shannon. “Each and every single day was an honour to enter the rehearsal room. We laughed together, cried together, and witnessed the tremendous strength of character and spirit of those amazing and heroic characters.” Shannon described how the Jewish family of one of the student actors helped the cast prepare for the play by inviting them over for a Shabbat dinner. When tenor Paul O’Neill was invited by O’Neill has had a dream run since his “It was a real spectacle, the set was “They talked about the symbolism of the different aspects of the the West Australian Opera to sing the role of WAAPA days. In 2004 he was a finalist in the immense and we had actual horses and Shabbat dinner,” Shannon said. Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca at His Majesty’s Metropolitan Opera Awards, the Australian chariots,” says O’Neill. “I really enjoyed being The two Jewish actors also helped their fellow cast mates with Theatre this April, he took it as a sign. After Singing Competition’s Opera Awards and the a part of that!” Peggy Shannon (far right) directs WAAPA’s 3rd Year Actors in “The Diary of Anne Frank” the prayers in the play, because Shannon wanted them to be Photo by Media Art 12 years living abroad, with the last decade Mathy Awards. While a Young Artist at West Reflecting on his early days in Perth, spoken in Hebrew rather than English. based in , he and his wife Aleisha Australian Opera in 2005, he was awarded the 38-year-old singer considers it a bonus n April this year, thanks to the generous support of the Minderoo “Working with the WAAPA students has been a delight. They are decided the time was right to bring their Opera Foundation Australia’s Covent Garden that he began his career in Australia’s most Foundation, director Peggy Shannon was a visiting artist at WAAPA talented, well-trained young artists who are clearly heading for long brood of four young children back to their National Opera Studio Scholarship – at isolated city. for the 3rd Year Acting production of The Diary of Anne Frank. and prosperous careers. home town of Perth. the time the largest opera scholarship in I “One of the best things I got, not just Professor Shannon is Chair of the School of Performance at Australia – which allowed him to live and “At WAAPA I have enjoyed being in the middle of a humming “It’s nice to be back,” laughs the WAAPA from WAAPA but from WA, was the chance Ryerson University in Toronto. In July last year, while with a group study in London for a year. This was followed beehive, swarming with talent, enthusiasm, potential, and curiosity. graduate. “It sounds a bit cheesy but I to perform. We are so isolated here, as of her Canadian students at the Hydrama Performing Arts Festival, by a further year of training at the Everywhere I looked I saw amazing energy and extraordinary artistry. did enjoy singing Tosca in Perth. It was opposed to say Sydney or Melbourne, but Shannon met WAAPA’s Associate Dean of Performance Andrew International Academy of Voice with leading The hallways, studios, performance venues and even the grassy a fantastic production, the singers were that provides so many opportunities to Lewis, who was accompanying 19 WAAPA students to the festival to international tenor and operatic vocal areas outside are simply alive with energy – the energy of artists great and it was just wonderful to be home actually learn the craft and sing. So when I perform Coriolanus. teacher, Dennis O’Neill CBE. In November thriving in their element.” actually.” hit 24, I was ready to perform, I felt I had a lot 2007 O’Neill moved to Germany to join the O’Neill describes how he was surprisingly more experience in performing than I might prestigious Staatsoper Berlin. affected by the curtain call at the end of have had if I was living in a bigger city.” Since then, from his base in Berlin, O’Neill Tosca. “The applause was different, it was In addition to kick-starting his career, has sung in operas and concerts throughout warmer, it felt more special than some of the WAAPA can also take credit for helping Europe and . Among his many bigger houses in Germany that I’ve sung in.” O’Neill’s love life – his future wife, Aleisha, roles he has played Don José in Carmen O’Neill starred alongside Antoinette studied piano performance at WAAPA and at Glyndebourne Festival Opera; Laca in Halloran and in the shared classes with O’Neill. Jenufa and Janek in Janacek’s The Diary WA Opera’s remount of the 2015 Stuart Of One Who Disappeared at Opéra de Lille; Following his Tosca engagement, Maunder-directed production. Il Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto for Opera O’Neill has sung in WA Opera’s Opera in The critics were glowing in their praise for Holland Park in London, in the Regions free outdoor concerts at the both the production and its lead singers. Sydney and Staatstheater Karlsruhe; the title Pinnacles and Greenough, and in a concert Paul Hopwood in The Australian role of Gounod’s Faust at Theater Hagen; with pianist Mark Coughlan at Perth’s wrote, “Puccini gives some of the most and Augustin Moser in Die Meistersinger von Government House Ballroom. In November glorious music of the opera to the painter Nürnberg at Staatsoper Berlin, under the he will travel to the Valley of the Giants in Cavaradossi. Tenor Paul O’Neill revelled in baton of Daniel Barenboim. WA’s Walpole-Nornalup National Park to perform in the third and final Opera in the the opportunity, his intensely focused tone Before leaving Germany, O’Neill performed Regions concert. extending easily to the top of his range. the title role in Faust at Theater Münster and The signature aria E lucevan le stelle was Cavaradossi in Tosca at Theater Magdeburg. Until then, O’Neill is enjoying being back perhaps the most memorably beautiful in Perth. With the glowing Tosca reviews Singing the role of Radames in Aida moment of the entire evening.” William heralding his return, it seems Aussie at the Opernfestspiele St. Margarethen Yeoman in The West Australian described audiences are mighty glad he’s come was a highlight for the tenor. In a huge how “… tenor O’Neill’s superlative technique home too. Art Photo by Media outdoor event, the famous Verdi opera was enables him to extract every ounce of performed in an old Roman quarry to a WAAPA was privileged to host a masterclass presented by Angela Hewitt, one of the world’s leading pianists, who was in Perth as part of her Musica nuance from words and music with Above: Paul O’Neill as Cavaradossi in West Australian Opera’s “Tosca”. Viva Australian recital tour. Pictured with Angela Hewitt are the two WAAPA students who participated in the public masterclass, Hannah Th’ng and 5,000-strong audience. Photo by James Rogers complete authority”. George Carolin-Unkovich. Page 8 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 InsideInside WAAPAWAAPA IssueIssue 4848 PagePage 99 NEW COHEN CD In May-June, WAAPA alumnus and 2015 Freedman Fellowship winner Tal Cohen toured Australia to launch his new CD, Gentle Giants, with performances at the Perth, Melbourne and Sydney International jazz festivals. Performing with Cohen was acclaimed American saxophonist Greg Osby; WAAPA Senior Jazz Lecturer and long-term collaborator, saxophonist Jamie Oehlers; bass player and WAAPA graduate Sam Anning; and drummer Tim Firth.

Photo by Matthew Murphy Cohen, who graduated from WAAPA in 2008 with a Masters in Jazz Performance, has been described by Grammy-Award winning jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano as “among the best of a very few young inspired pianists I’ve encountered in my travels.” Now based in the US, Cohen’s unique piano style owes its roots to the Jewish folk songs and SOPHIE STARS classical music he played in his formative years growing up in Gedera, Israel. In 2014 Cohen won the Barry Harris Piano Competition in the US and in 2015 took out IN KINKY Photo by Jon Green Photographer Australia’s prestigious Freedman Fellowship Award. That same year he completed a two- year Masters degree at the University of ’s BOOTS Frost School of Music, under the mentorship of y the time Robert Butler was 25, he In 2013, with a steady stream of set for the Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories to tour had tried various jobs and uni courses construction and other projects coming to the east coast and New Zealand. Described by the Sydney Morning of Wicked as Elphaba’s understudy Martin Bejerano. but nothing had really stuck. He had a in, Butler started his own small business. Herald as “the best musical to hit before performing in Hugh Jackman’s He has become a regular performer with B Butler describes how the set designs he creative streak and the carpentry skills he’d Since then, Onstage Arts has grown to the town in years”, Kinky Boots opened in arena spectacular, Broadway To Oz. iconic jazz figures such as Terence Blanchard works from can range from a hand-drawn learned from his father but was struggling to point where, for the last two years, Butler Sydney in April after a six-month season Since then she has appeared in Song and Robert Hurst and continues to tour sketch to a fully detailed plan, depending find a career path. has employed at least one person full-time in Melbourne. Contest - The Almost Eurovision the world performing his unique brand of on the designer and production. Butler is Then he heard about a friend’s brother and uses contract workers – fellow WAAPA responsible for building and painting the set, Winner of six Tony Awards, three Experience, Avenue Q and in improvised music. who, after graduating from WAAPA’s Props graduates who are set builders and scenic bumping the set into the theatre, and final Olivier Awards and a Grammy, Kinky Concert. Lauren has also appeared in Cohen used the prize money from the and Scenery course, scored a job working as artists – in peak periods. paint touch-ups. Boots features music and lyrics by pop the Australian feature films, Is This The Freedman Jazz Fellowship to record Gentle a mechanist with Cirque du Soleil in Macau, Onstage Arts has built sets and props icon Cyndi Lauper, a book by four-time Real World and Evil Comes Knocking. Giants in New York. “Some designers provide a lot of detail and China. Theatre mechanists are responsible for for Barking Gecko Theatre Company, West some give very little. How I build the set is Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, “I loved being in Wicked as it is such Cohen cites playing in a duo with Greg Osby all the stage scenery in a live production from Australian Opera, West Australian Ballet left up to me, but we usually work together and direction and choreography by two- an epic show, however singing and and with the Terence Blanchard Quintet as two the build to bump in to performance. – most notably for the company’s Quarry in terms of choosing the materials, deciding time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell. dancing with Hugh Jackman was pretty of this highlights of his career so far. “That opened my eyes up to what was seasons and last year’s The Nutcracker – what’s going to be best, price wise or touring Based on the 2005 British film of special!” says Wright. “The other career highlight was playing at the possible with that course,” he says. “I thought, Perth International Arts Festival and the Fringe wise or what will work best for the design, so the same name starring Joel Edgerton Wright believes that being at WAAPA for the Fellowship award, here’s a way I can use my existing skills and World Festival, as well as numerous Perth it’s a collaboration.” and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kinky Boots tells taught her to be confident about her it’s such an amazing venue,” he says. “I played high school productions. develop my interest in theatre.” For the Scotch College production of The the story of Charlie, a young man who abilities as a performer. with my good friend and mentor Jamie Oehlers, Butler was accepted into the Props and One of his recent set builds was for Barking Addams Family last year, Butler worked with is inspired to revamp the family shoe “Being in an industry which can be who is also on my album.” Scenery course in 2009 as a mature-age Gecko Theatre Company’s Bambert’s Book of recent WAAPA graduate and “really great business by Lola, a drag performer. quite challenging and difficult at times, “This album certainly would not have been student. After graduating, he worked as a Lost Stories, which was performed at the State young designer”, Tyler Hill. In May this year, Starring alongside Toby Francis and and being confident in who I am, not possible without the Fellowship award. I cannot mechanist and flyman for Perth’s big theatre Theatre Centre in April. This world premiere Butler and Hill worked together again on Lost West End performer Callum Francis in only as a performer, but in myself is be thankful enough.” venues including the Centre, received rave reviews for its inventive & Found Opera’s Trouble in Tahiti, which was the lead roles is 2011 Music Theatre something I definitely started learning Crown Theatre, His Majesty’s Theatre and interweaving of puppetry with live storytelling. performed in a private house in the Perth graduate Sophie Wright, who plays at WAAPA. Remembering that we are the Regal Theatre. He also built sets for the Following its successful Perth season, suburb of City Beach. Onstage Arts built a Lauren, Charlie’s love interest. all individual and we all bring something design students he’d met at WAAPA. Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories toured seating bank for 50 people that was set up on “Sophie Wright is a knockout as special and new to the table is so “I like the creative aspect of it. Every time to Britain for the International the home’s back patio. Lauren, who works at the factory and important.” you do a job it’s totally different. You’re always Children’s Festival. Far from the young man searching for a falls for Charlie, finding all the comedy So it seems perfectly apt that Wright using different materials, what you build is Butler built the original set to be tourable, career, nowadays Butler is able to pass on his in her song The History of Wrong is now making her mark in a fun, used in different ways in different shows so so it could taken apart in smaller sections for expertise, giving WAAPA’s current Props and Guys,” wrote Jo Litson in her review in uplifting musical about acceptance you have to build in different ways. So even easy transportation. When that set was sent Scenery students the opportunity to undertake Limelight Magazine. and being true to yourself. After its when you’re making the same thing, you’ve to Edinburgh ahead of the performers, Butler their secondments at Onstage Arts. Sydney season, Kinky Boots opens at After leaving WAAPA, Wright toured really got to think about how you put things was commissioned to build a smaller rehearsal Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre in August. for two years in the Australasian tour together for different applications. So it really set for the actors who were still in Perth to

Above: Sophie Wright as Lauren in “Kinky Boots” challenges you to think more broadly.” rehearse on. After Edinburgh, there are plans

Page 10 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Page 11 SCHOLARSHIP FOR STAR WIND PLAYER of Music and is now Professor of Bassoon at the Natalya’s musicianship extends well beyond University of ’s Lamont School of Music. a single instrument. She has played the violin CREATIVE Kuuskmann was a visiting guest artist at since the age of five, and in primary school she WAAPA in 2015. “He was really inspiring,” says played the clarinet and flute. It was only in Year Natalya. “Last year I got back in contact with 8 that she decided to pick up the bassoon. CONNECTION Martin and he encouraged me to apply for the “I think the bassoon is really beautiful, it’s Masters program, I sent in an audition tape got so much character in the orchestra and in In April, the original theatre piece So You Used also drew on his WAAPA connections for and now I’m going to be studying with him. I’m solo playing.” Think You’re Charlie Smith opened The Blue his cast, which featured 2016 graduates Hollie Room Theatre’s April-July season. The play is Hines, Phoebe Sullivan and James McMillan. so excited!” Natalya believes her intense training at the work of Perth company, “Martin is an amazing soloist so I want to WAAPA with “amazing lecturers” put her Another highlight of the BPA course for Used sandpaperplane, formed by Jackson Used and begin making a focus on the solo aspects in in a perfect position to be ready to grasp was the diversity of the course. Ben Thomas in 2014. my playing. I think I’m going to learn a lot from this opportunity. “I really loved being exposed to so many So You Think You’re Charlie Smith was co- him that will help with auditions and give me the “WAAPA is full of so many playing different ideas about performance and being written by the pair and directed by Used, who confidence to be a freelance musician.” opportunities, I got to play in orchestra concerts, given the opportunity to pursue the elements graduated from WAAPA’s Bachelor of Performing “Christopher Dragon, who is assistant the opera, chamber music, so many projects,” which really interested me. For example, I was Arts course in 2015. Bassoonist Natalya Czernicziw, who conductor of Colorado Symphony Orchestra, says Natalya. “I did a lot of playing! You always drawn to the idea of playwriting, but it was graduated with a Bachelor of Classical Music ex-WAAPA graduate, and Faith Court Orchestra don’t really get those opportunities outside of This is the fourth production for the company, really within the BPA course that I developed my (Performance) degree last year, has been conductor, also encouraged me to apply. I’m university, you have to make them for yourself, following their two 2017 Fringe World Festival love for writing.” offered a scholarship to undertake a Masters lucky to work with such great people through which is not so easy.” shows, 43,000 Forks and the experimental Used and Thomas always write together, at musical Fairybread, and their 2015 Fringe World degree at the University of Denver in Colorado. WAAPA, and I can’t wait to see Colorado Natalya will be leaving Perth in late August to the same time, in the same room, on the same Festival offering, the 45-minute black comedy Natalya has been invited to study with the Symphony in action.” begin her scholarship in September. WRITER/DIRECTOR/ document. Wake & Bake. Grammy-nominated bassoon virtuoso Martin In addition to receiving full tuition and a PRODUCER JACKSON “We found very early on that this approach Kuuskmann. The Estonian-born bassoonist stipend, Natalya will also have a graduate Used and Thomas founded sandpaperplane as gave us the ability to communicate our ideas to trained and then taught at the Manhattan School teaching assistantship at Lamont. USED IS MAKING a platform to make their own work. each other with more clarity, and to have a livelier HIS MARK ON THE “It started as an idea to create original, collaborative process.” PERTH INDEPENDENT engaging and sometimes experimental work as Used says that honesty is the key ingredient in a company,” says Used. “But now it also focuses the pair’s ability to collaborate so well together. THEATRE SCENE on developing the voices of young artists.” “We’re both fans of each other as writers, and A PERFECT FIT The two met while studying at UWA and really appreciate the ideas that each brings, but working on University Dramatic Society it also means we can stop in the middle of a WAAPA GRADUATES PURSUE ARTS productions before Used transferred to WAAPA, scene and raise any concerns,” he says. “The CAREERS IN SINGAPORE where he completed a Certificate II in Music freedom to communicate what we’re feeling in Theatre before applying for the BPA course. the moment is key to our process, and has so far raduating from WAAPA in 2015, Amanda “The Front of House practicum “I was very much at this point of trying to really pushed us to develop our writing.” Lim’s job opportunities since then are in my first two years at WAAPA figure out what I liked, and what I wanted to do,” Next up for Used is a Fresh Ink writing testament to the importance of the work taught me about what really goes on he says. “The Performance Making course was mentorship through the Australian Theatre for G really great for that, as a very practical experience in the Arts Management course. behind the scenes at a performance. Young People and Barking Gecko Theatre way of playing with a bunch of different stuff In the summer of 2014, Lim interned in the Although FOH management isn’t part Company, which sees him working with Will while receiving mentoring from some really marketing department of Singapore Dance of my current duties, that training has O’Mahony and a group of peers throughout 2017 exciting creatives.” Theatre (SDT). She followed this up in her provided me with an understanding and to produce two short plays. One of those creatives was Will O’Mahony final year at WAAPA with a secondment in the expertise of how scheduling is done. As for sandpaperplane, Used and Thomas are who, along with Finn O’Branagain, mentored Programming and Education unit of Singapore’s Though it may sound easy, everything continuing to develop new work with a view to Used on So You Think You’re Charlie Smith. ArtScience Museum in Marina Bay Sands. At is a chain effect and can’t function presenting a show later this year. without one another. Amanda Lim with dance students at Singapore Dance Theatre the end of her secondment, the museum offered Top right: Jackson Used and Ben Thomas with production photo from “So You Think You’re Charlie Smith”. her a full time position. “On the theoretical side, we also had a auditions; scheduling adult dance classes; Photo by Andrew Ritchie Then in September last year, Lim found balance of arts related subjects such as going to various schools to conduct herself back at SDT after being appointed the Arts History, Arts in Contemporary Society outreach programs; conducting behind the auditioned for SDT on her way home to Perth in Garside is thrilled to be working with SDT, as company’s Education and Outreach/Artistic and business subjects such as Finance, scenes tours at the company’s premises; August last year. the company has a wide and diverse range of Administration Executive. Management and Law.” and ensuring the daily schedule for the Garside believes that working with repertoire – a rarity in the modern dance world. artistic staff runs smoothly. Born and raised in Singapore, Lim trained as Lim also appreciated gaining a deeper international choreographer Nils Christe and “The company performs full length classical insight into how the industry works from the While Amanda Lim works behind the his partner Annegien Sneep, who were visiting ballets, neoclassical works from the likes a dancer before moving to Perth for three years Jessica Garside in “Jardi Tancat” by Nacho Duato, WAAPA 2015 to undertake her Arts Management degree so experienced industry professionials who visited scenes at SDT, two other WAAPA graduates are Photo by Jon Green guest artists in her final year at WAAPA, was of George Balanchine and Edward Liaang, she is thrilled to be combining her two skills in WAAPA as guest lecturers. performing onstage. essica Garside is a more recent addition to instrumental in securing her position at SDT. and modern pieces like Nils Christe’s Organ her new job. Now at SDT, Lim is enjoying the diverse Cheah May Yen joined SDT in 2011 and was SDT, having started work with the company “They travel to Singapore every couple of Concerto – which is a part of this season’s She describes the Arts Management course challenges of her role. Working closely with the promoted to the position of First Artist in 2015. Jin March this year. years to work with the company and were able programming, so I’m very excited to work with as “a perfect combination” of the arts and company’s Artistic Director, Mr Janek Schergen, In her final year of dance at WAAPA, Yen was On graduating from WAAPA in 2015, Garside to put in a good word for me with the director them again!” says Garside. “I really wanted the business, offering a balanced mix of practical she is responsible for creating term dates the recipient of the Dame Peggy van Praagh took out four dance awards before going on to - I think this definitely helped in keeping me opportunity to challenge myself with a range of and theoretical work. and scheduling rehearsals for the company’s Award, the Finley Award and the Leinster Award complete her Masters in Dance at the Akademie at the top of his list when a contract became different movement styles, so SDT seems like a pre-professional students; organising annual for Dance. des Tanzes in Mannheim, Germany. She available.” perfect fit for me.”

Page 12 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Page 13 RESTORATIVE NOTES A MAN OF MANY TALENTS WAAPA WELCOMES A NEW STAGE MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR

WAAPA’s new Coordinator of Stage Management describes himself as a “multi- hatted theatre beast”. Luke Cowling, who moved back to Perth at the start of this year after more than a decade in Sydney, brings 17 years of expertise as a stage manager, production manager, director, artistic director and producer to his new role at WAAPA. “I have two ambitions in taking on this job,” he says. “I’m really invested in training lyraflugel, a dog kennel piano, two upright excellent, useful stage managers and grands and a giraffe piano and I mustn’t forget bringing a new perspective to what that might to mention there is one bentside spinet in the mean out in the industry. collection also, made in 1736. “On one level, stage management is about - Was there a piano that stood out for you having a skill base but it’s also about being as being the number one candidate for engaged in the art form. That skill base restoration? can then transform itself in a whole variety I was looking forward to seeing of different ways, leading to producing or Photo by James Kilian the ‘First Fleet’ piano made by Frederick directing or running a company. From stage management there are possibilities to work , that was on board the Sirius when Art Photo by Media photographers and removers were at hand to it reached Australia in 1788, I think that it in the arts in a much more broad and SQUARE PIANO lift every piano out from the tight storage area would be really exciting to make this playable diverse way.” CONSERVATION so we could see them better and each one again – what a history! Cowling’s own career has come full for Young People and Associate Artistic – let alone Perth or Australia and taking their was inspected, catalogued and photographed. Director at the Tamarama Rock Surfers at the important family story to the other side of the SPECIALIST LUCY COAD - Were there any surprises for you circle. He graduated from WAAPA’s Stage I was brought in to look at the structural Old Fitzroy Theatre in Woolloomooloo. world was an amazing experience.” SPENT A WEEK IN amongst the pianos? Management course in 1999, after sharing condition of each piano and to see which ones The combination of these things led Last year Cowling toured as Associate PERTH IN APRIL AS A A couple have been modernised along the a house with friends and fellow students were in original condition and which had been Cowling into producing for Playwriting Producer with the Belvoir team to five cities GUEST OF WAAPA TO way, which is in itself an interesting point that Aaron Beach, recently Executive Director over-restored or neglected in the past and Australia, World Interplay (the world’s largest in India with Lally Katz’s one-woman show, at some stages in their history they weren’t of Co3 Dance Company and now Deputy ASSESS THE STEWART to generally comment on their condition. I’ve festival for young playwrights) and Critical Stories I Want to Tell You in Person. Cowling considered fashionable or collectible and Executive Director/Head of Development at SYMONDS PIANO been specialising in restoring square pianos Stages (touring independent theatre). In describes the challenges of this tour, which various attempts have been made to make Belvoir, and Tim Minchin, whose training in COLLECTION for the last 35 years – so I’ve seen quite a few 2014, he took on the position of Associate included putting the show in venues that had them look more up to date. For instance the Contemporary Music course heralded the to compare! Producer at Belvoir. no wiring, as “hilarious times… travelling all This rare collection of 140 historically- one has had its compass extended by half start of a ‘multi-hatted’ career in music. - What were your overall impressions of around India with a solo show from a white significant pianos was generously gifted to an octave at a later date and one square Cowling says the organisational side of “A producer’s job in the theatre is to have the Stewart Symonds Collection? American/Australian girl and seeing the WAAPA by NSW collector Stewart Symonds cornered early piano has been turned to stage management was a perfect fit for him. a broader overview of the production, tying reactions to that in a country like India was in May last year. WAAPA’s Professor The collection has a wide range of early a round cornered one which was more Yet even back then Cowling was aware that all the creative, technical and marketing really extraordinary.” Geoffrey Lancaster AM, composer, pianist pianos spanning 100 years from the late fashionable in the 1820s onwards. what he describes as his ‘left brain/right brain elements together. It’s about making sure all and a leading expert on historically informed 1760s onwards. It has examples of how the of those concerns match up and are delivered Last but not least, he cites working as a - What happens next? juggle’ would take his career in unexpected performance practice, facilitated the pianoforte developed in style, shape and size, directions. so it’s a bit of an umbrella job in that sense. producer at Belvoir with actors of the calibre procurement of the collection. with all the different action types that evolved I’ve been asked to come back again next For me it was a natural bringing together of of Leah Purcell, Barry Otto, Colin Friels, Judy year to give more detailed reports on those So it was that during his four years as Lucy Coad, whose workshop is located into what we use today. I was impressed by those things that I’d been balancing.” Davis and Robyn Nevin – “the real legends of at the ‘top of the list’. Then there will be Production Manager for Black Swan State between Bristol and Bath in England, is the wide range of countries that they come When asked to name the high points in Australian theatre”. decisions to be made about which ones go Theatre Company, when he oversaw considered to be the world’s best square from, some very good French examples his multi-faceted career, Cowling nominates “Those sorts of extremes are really what for restoration first and which to keep as they regional, national and overseas tours, piano conservator. Here she tells IW about alongside the many English ones. There are three memorable times that take him from the has been excellent about the kind of work are. For instance some of the pianos are Cowling also dreamed up a youth theatre her time at WAAPA: also Spanish, German, Dutch, Austrian and start of this career to his most recent role as I’ve been doing. So coming back to WAAPA, in a very original condition and this may be company for Black Swan, BSX-Theatre, and American instruments. producer at Belvoir. I know from my own experience the different - How was your week in Perth? exciting for the collection to keep some back became its founding Artistic Director. - Did you discover any especially exciting outcomes that this sort of training can have. I had a week looking at 140 pianos – I was from repair so they can be studied by students This was the start of a passion for youth In 2002 he was Production Manager for finds? seeing them when I blinked and dreaming from a historical perspective. There are very theatre and an investment in emerging artists Black Swan’s Career Highlights of the Mamu “This course has created many successful about them at night! It was very intense but Yes, several, and these have been put at few pianos left untouched in piano collections that has remained a constant throughout by award-winning Pitjantjatjara actor Trevor stage managers over the years so I’m not exciting work and we got through a lot the top of the list to inspect further next year. - so the Stewart Symonds instruments could Cowling’s career. Jamieson, which toured to the trying to reinvent the wheel but I think I of coffee! One stunning instrument by Mott has the most be unique if there is a mix of both playable His stint at the helm of BSX-Theatre Festival in Germany. can bring a new perspective to the training lavish inlay of brass on the casework, it’s and what the possibilities are once you’ve The week was very well prepared in and conserved instruments. This is a very inspired Cowling to undertake NIDA’s “It was the first time Trevor’s family inspiring to see such superb craftsmanship. graduated. I’m interested in unlocking those advance by Professor Geoffrey Lancaster; exciting project to be involved in and I can’t directing course in 2004. He then became members had left their home town – which Other unusual instruments include a wait to be back again next year. Production Manager at the Australian Theatre is in the desert eight hours out of Kalgoorlie possibilities for the students.” Page 14 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Inside WAAPA Issue 48 Page 15 A Dream Play Sleep

IN THE SPOTLIGHT A GLIMPSE OF WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ON STAGE AT WAAPA Kneebody

Megan Washington Rise

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS Transcendental Voices The Tempest LINK Twin Share

The Blind Giant is Dancing The Diary of Anne Frank

Cover Credits Front Cover Ashley de Neef and West of the World Photo by Paul and Pierre Ricci Back Cover All photos by Jon Green Photographer except Transcendental Voices photo by Stephen Heath Megan Washington photos by Media Art

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Page 16 Inside WAAPA Issue 48