Adjudicators

Amanda Jane Pearson is a member of the Australian Dance Adjudicators Association (www.adadance.org.au) and an Advanced Level Member of ADA (Australasian Dance Association - formally FATD - Federal Association of Teachers of Dance) www.adatheatre.com.au. Amanda Jane has been a member of FATD / ADA for 38 years completing Examination Grades from Primary through to Advanced level with qualifications in Jazz Ballet, Tap and Classical Ballet. She has a teaching career that spans over 25 years teaching ADA Grades from Pre-Primary through to Advanced level with majority of Students always receiving quality marks in Jazz, Tap & Classical Ballet. Past students have received working contracts on Cruise Ships, Musical Theatre Productions, TV Commercials, Music Videos and Disneyland Paris. Throughout her many years as a Dancer and Choreographer, she has performed at various Queensland Industry Events including a three year contract performing in Warner Brothers Movie World's Dance Show on the Gold Coast from 1991 - 1994. During her years as an Actress, she appeared in Television Commercials, Stage Productions and a three month contract in Network Ten's Grundy's TV Series "Punishment" alongside Barry Crocker, Cornelia Frances and Hollywood Actor, Mel Gibson.

Aside from Amanda Jane's Dance Qualifications, she owns and operates Miss Jane Casting - a TV Commercial Casting Consultancy in Brisbane. www.missjanecasting.com.au . Amanda Jane has cast hundreds of National & International Television Commercials and has worked with children in both the TV & Dance industry for over 25 years, she always encourages a positive experience with their learning and performing at all ages and levels. A Mother of two dancing girls, Amanda Jane is blessed to experience the dance industry from all avenues - as a Dance Mum, Dance Teacher and as an Adjudicator. She believes this gives her a wonderful understanding of the Dance Industry and the love, hard work and commitment it takes to be involved with Eisteddfods. Amanda Jane provides honest and helpful critic in a positive and encouraging manner and looks forward to viewing wonderful performances during her time in Maryborough.

Mark Sullivan has spent four decades actively advocating for the development of quality music programs in schools. He has completed post-graduate studies in education, and conducting courses with Jerry Nowak, William La Rue Jones and Marvin Rabin.

Mark has worked as a String Teacher and Orchestra Director in over thirty schools in Australia and the USA, where he has created outstanding orchestras, and designed curriculum and policy documents to support emerging programs.

His ensembles have won many prizes at competitions and festivals, and he has toured the USA and Canada with school orchestras.

Mark was awarded the ABODA Outstanding Ensemble Director’s Award and the 2010 ASG State and National Inspirational Teaching Award. He was invited to be a guest presenter at the 2012 National Positive Schools Conference where he discussed the impact of music on personal wellbeing.

Mark is committed to enhancing the quality of teacher training and has worked as a part time lecturer at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology. He also maintains a broad interest in the wider community, founding the Brisbane Regional Youth Orchestra, leading camps and clinics, and adjudicating at festivals and eisteddfodau.

Mark recently retired after a distinguished career as the Director of Instrumental Music at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, to work as a visiting clinician supporting staff and music programs throughout the country.

Sean has performed, produced, musically directed, directed and taught since 1996. His performance credits are extensive and include a national tour of Pirates of Penzance and more than 40 operas with Opera Australia and Opera Queensland. Most recently with Opera Queensland he has performed and understudied the main role in Candide and has just performed and is assistant director in Opera Queensland's new production of Ruddigore.

Performance credits also include ensemble and over 80 performances of Piangi for Phantom of the Opera throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe and also Australian Premier performances of the roles of Chauvalin in The Scarlet Pimpernel and Mr. Andrews in Titanic-the musical.

Sean has completed his Maters of Music in vocal crossover – the study of classical, musical theatre and jazz/contemporary concurrently, which is understood to be a world first. The study of this subject has brought international attention to the techniques used to cross between styles. This can be seen in his peer review article, The World of Vocal Crossover, for the Voice and Speech Review, USA. He has also given a paper for the National Convention for ANATS and has been invited to speak at the 8th International Congress of Voice Teachers in 2013.

Melissa has been actively involved in all areas of the performing arts since early childhood and she prides herself as being the most qualified and experienced Speech and Drama teacher in Queensland. Her formal Speech and Drama (voice) training commenced in her early teens and Melissa now holds the following qualifications:

• Bachelor of Education (Secondary Drama) Griffith University
• LTCL: Licentiate Trinity College London (Performance)
• ASDA: Teaching Diploma – Australian Music Examination Board (Speech & Drama)
• ASCA: Teaching Diploma - Australian Speech Communication Association
• ATCL: Speech and Drama Teachers Diploma – Trinity College London
• GSMD: Certificate in Solo Acting – Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London

Eager to continue to enhance her qualifications, in 2014 Melissa completed her ASCA Teaching Diploma and in 2016 completed her Licentiate in Performance with Trinity College, London. Melissa is an active member of CSPT the Communication, Speech and Performance Teachers Association of Queensland and has been a member for over two decades.

Melissa has taught in studios and classrooms for 27 years. Melissa has directed many large scale productions with casts of up to 150 performers from ages five and up.

Melissa has often been called upon to adjudicate and judge performing arts festivals. In 2015, Melissa was the official Adjudicator for the Bundaberg Eisteddfod, one the largest Speech and Drama Eisteddfods in Queensland. In 2016 Melissa adjudicated The Ipswich Eisteddfod and in 2017 Melissa will be adjudicating The Redlands Public Speaking competition. Let’s Talk Kids is a Speech and Drama business started by Melissa in 2004 and has a first class reputation in the Speech and Drama arena in Brisbane. LTK currently runs programs in 12 primary schools in the South side of Brisbane. Many LTK students continue into the arts after finishing school. Past students are currently enjoying careers on stage, television and in teaching.

Melissa teaches every week in primary schools, with the most current qualifications and over two decades of teaching and adjudicating experience – she is well skilled in her craft. Melissa has grown up and resides in the Redlands with her family that consists of a husband, two children and two overly loved cats.