Adjudicators

Louise has been involved with Eisteddfods since the age of 8, and has been teaching for the past 28 years at various studios before opening her own studio in 1994. Louise trained in all facets of dance, Classical, Jazz, Tap and Highland. She has a very successful school in Innisfail, with her students attaining excellent results in Examination and Eisteddfod work. Louise is also involved in production work for many clubs and organizations such as the Italian Community functions as well as some school based dance work including the “Mary’s Place” dance students who regularly perform at events at Good Counsel College. Also has choreographed for Choral Society’s Oklahoma, Once upon a mattress and for Nunsense twice.

Former students have gone on to careers in dance, some being in Starlight Express in Germany, Cruise ships, Disney productions at Tokyo Disney, Hamburg Ballet and Cats Singapore, and also touring with the Lion King. And now as recent as Aladdin. Past students have been accepted into Queensland Dance School of Excellence, DanceWorld 301, Brent Street, Ministry of Dance and students gaining entrance into the Australian Ballet school as country students. In 2012 another of Louise’s successful boys was accepted into the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne full time.

Over the last few years 4 of Louise’s students have been awarded the “Champion of Champions” award at the Tropicarnival Eisteddfod. A number of students have been National Showcase winners, with one representing Australia against Canadian and USA champions. One of the students won the teen section of Showcase that took him to America to compete and then was a guest artist in a previous final of So You think you can dance. Louise won the title for Dedication to Dance at Showcase a few years ago.

Louise looks forward to inspiring the next generation of successful dancers with her encouraging and rewarding comments.

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.