Phillip Hayden

Suzanne Johnston

Stephanie MacArthur is an Associate Lecturer in Music (Performance Teaching) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

One of Australia’s leading and busiest concert pianists, Coady Green is acknowledged as a
major talent on the international concert circuit.

​

In 2005, Coady relocated to London after
winning almost all the most prestigious awards that his native Australia had to offer. During his eleven years in London, he frequently performed at the major UK venues and held teaching positions at the University of London and at the Royal College of Music. He has performed in major concert venues in over 20 countries. He is a frequent guest lecturer at leading international tertiary institutions and a performer in top concert halls internationally, including Wigmore, Royal Festival, Queen Elizabeth Halls, St Martin in the Fields, St James’s Piccadilly in London, Sydney Opera House, numerous leading European venues, and Carnegie Hall in New York.

​

He is a lecturer in music performance, piano pedagogy and keyboard repertoire at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne. He is currently working on recording the complete solo and chamber music of Australian composer Linda Kouvaras in eight albums, and the complete Etudes and Preludes of Anton Rubinstein, both for renowned UK label Toccata Classics. The first Kouvaras album was released internationally in May 2024, with the second released internationally in January 2025. Coady is the artistic director of the annual
fortyfivedownstairs Chamber Music Festival and the Tempo Queer festival in Melbourne, and Artistic Director of the St George’s Friends of Music Series. He is on the boards of
fortyfivedownstairs, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat, Lyric Opera of Melbourne, and the
Lieder Society of Victoria.

Anne Butler holds a Postgraduate Diploma of Classical Ballet Teaching, The University of Melbourne. Fellow, Senior Examiner and Life Member of Cecchetti Ballet Australia, Anne is currently Chair of the Australian organisation and Chair of Cecchetti International Ballet. Anne teaches and is Coordinator of  the Cecchetti program at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where she also delivers the History of Dance courses to the Year 7 and 8 students, along with teaching and specialist coaching duties.

​

Her extensive career in dance has encompassed classical and contemporary genres; choreography including musical theatre; adjudication on many platforms; dance administration and education both nationally and internationally.

​

As an independent researcher she has presented for many organizations including the National Gallery of Victoria, Johnston Gallery, Royal Academy of Dance and CORDS conference, New York. Three of her papers appear in Cecchetti Pioneers published in Canada, 2014.

​

Miss Butler is excited to return to the Mildura Eisteddfod Dance section 2025 for the third time. "I have always been highly impressed by the standards achieved by the entrants, and the organisation's high commitment to excellence in the arts."

Paula Hessey

Dr. Darren Wicks is a distinguished voice educator, jazz pianist, and choral conductor with over 30 years of experience in music education. Throughout his career, Darren has accumulated a wealth of knowledge, having worked in diverse roles, including school music teacher, university lecturer, community music group leader, studio instructor, and conductor for both school and community choirs. His deep commitment to teacher education has also seen him regularly presenting at workshops and conferences.

Darren holds a Master of Music Degree and a PhD in Vocal Pedagogy, reflecting his dedication to advancing the field of voice education. His academic journey has been enriched by extensive studies in voice teaching across the United States, where he has had the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from African American artists.

As an author, Darren has contributed significantly to music education literature, with several publications to his name. His work continues to influence and inspire educators and students alike, making him a respected figure in the music education community.

Melissa's versatility as an entertainer is highlighted by her unique performances in cabaret, music theatre and on the concert platform. Her theatre appearances include; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, LES MISERABLES, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, THE MIKADO, HMS PINAFORE, EUROBEAT, STRANGE BEDFELLOWS, WE WILL ROCK YOU (Killer Queen) in Japan, THE THREEPENNY OPERA, INTO THE WOODS (Jack’s Mother) & HOW TO KILL YOUR HUSBAND (Angel) (Malthouse Theatre/The Victorian Opera),
CITY OF ANGELS (Angel City Four) (Lifelike Touring).

For The Production Company; CAROUSEL (Nettie Fowler), 42ND STREET (Maggie Jones), DAMN YANKEES (Gloria Thorpe), FOLLIES (Stella Deems), CRAZY FOR YOU (Patricia Fodor), SUGAR (Sweet Sue) & CURTAINS (Carmen Bernstein)

Her cabaret and live music shows have been performed in New York and Dublin and at The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Sydney Cabaret Convention, The Auckland Festival, His Majesty’s in Perth and The Famous Spiegeltent at the Melbourne Festival. She and her husband have performed in almost
every venue in Victoria and Australia over the last 20 years, with their shows; What’s New Pussycat, Still Living in the 70’s, Get Back – The Lennon & McCartney Songbook, Swinging on Broadway and more!

Melissa produces The Cabaret Showcases which is a mentor program for young cabaret artists, which has been running for over 20 years, initially at Capers Cabaret, and for the last 10 years, at Chapel off Chapel.

Melissa is also a member of the popular girl group THE FABULOUS SINGLETTES and has
performed with the group regularly since 1998 throughout Australia, Asia and Europe.
Melissa received 2002 GREEN ROOM AWARDS for Best Cabaret Artist and Best Cabaret Ensemble (with Mark Jones) and was the winner of The 2001 Sydney Cabaret Convention. She has also received numerous Green Room Award nominations for her roles in music theatre, opera and cabaret. Her solo album, WHEN THE RAIN FALLS UP, was released in 2002. She released a duo
album with husband & Musical Director Mark Jones, WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW in 2019.

Melissa has been teaching, lecturing and adjudicating for over 30 years now at institutions and schools including Monash University, The Australian Institute of Music, Firbank Grammar, Melbourne Ladies College, Ruyton Girls School, Toorak College, Billanook College, Patrick Studios Australia, Dance World, Joining the Chorus, The Geelong, Mt Gambier, Bendigo and Ballarat Eisteddfods.