Adjudicators
Our adjudicators are highly experienced professionals from across the performing arts industry.
They bring a wealth of knowledge in vocal, dance, speech & drama, and instrumental performance, and provide supportive, constructive feedback to help students grow in confidence and skill.
We thank our adjudicators for their time, expertise and ongoing commitment to the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod. The Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod is proud to be guided by a panel of accomplished industry professionals who bring deep expertise and genuine care to each performance. Their feedback helps every student grow in confidence and artistry.
We are extremely pleased to present the amazing line-up of our 2026 Adjudicators below!
Our industry leaders
The Adjudicating Team
Dance
THOMAS EGAN – Dance Solos & Ensembles
Thomas Egan is known for his ambitious tap dance productions and is sought out as a soloist performer. Thomas is a co-creator of “The Tap Pack,” a production that has toured around the world, including the USA, The West End and The Sydney Opera House. Tommy has a truly diverse resume as a performer working with the likes of Tap Dogs, Fame The Musical, The Great Gatsby, Singing In The Rain, Kylie Minogue, X-Factor, and Australia’s Got Talent. Most recently he has been performing his on solo show “Two Right Feet” in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Edinburgh.
VIRGINIA FERRIS – Dance Solos & Ensembles
Virginia Ferris is a successful artistic director, choreographer, specialised tutor and adjudicator. She performed with the Tasmanian Ballet Company, Company in Flight Dance Company (USA) and David Atkins Dancin’ Man. She has choreographed and performed with Frank Sinatra, Casey Donovan, Marcia Hines, Kylie Minogue, Marilyn Jones and Kath & Kim and to name just a few. In 2022 she was the Community Performance Director for Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney. In 2022 she adjudicated for Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge, South Australian Stage Society Dance and Wakakirri. Virginia has an extensive list of teaching credits currently teaching at JMC Academy and Specialist Tutor for The Arts Unit NSW.
CHRISTINE GILLETT – Dance Ensembles
Christine Gillett is an accomplished choreographer, dance facilitator and adjudicator with over three decades of professional experience in the global entertainment industry. Trained in all genres of dance, her international career includes performances across television, film, cruise ships, expos, corporate events, and high -profile music and fashion productions. Her career highlights include dancing in Elton John’s Sad Songs music video and performing at Michael Jackson’s HIStory album launch for Sony Music Australia. Christine has shared the stage with celebrated artists such as, Peter Allen, Doug Parkinson, Marcia Hines and KD Lang. Christine’s choreography has featured in events ranging from rock concerts and fashion label launches to Sony Music showcases. She is currently a choreographer for the renowned NSW Schools Spectacular and serves as a specialist dance teacher with the with the NSW Department of Education, reflecting her deep passion for dance in education.
KARINA HERNANDEZ – Dance Solos
Karina Hernandez completed her 3 Year Diploma Course with The Australian Ballet: 1989-1991 and then joined the Company in 1992 and worked with Maina Gielgud AO, Director, in her highly acclaimed Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty, both in Australia and overseas. In 1996, Karina joined the Birmingham Royal Ballet, UK as a First Artist. She has worked with many leading choreographers and guest teachers during this time, including Gelsey Kirkland and Jiri Kylian. Some highlights of her career are first Principal roles Far From The Maddening Crowd with Kevin O’Hare (former Principal Dancer and then Director of The Royal Ballet) and dancing with Chi Cao (Principal Dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet and lead star in the Movie Mao’s Last Dancer). Since returning to Australia, she has coached and adjudicated at many leading academies and prestigious dance competitions. She is currently teaching full time at Brent Street and the Tanya Pearson Academy.
PAULINA QUINTEROS – Dance Solos & Ensembles
Paulina Quinteros is a leading Australian choreographer and the Artistic Director of Danza del Arte Dance Company, based in Sydney. Known for her innovative and powerful works, her choreography has featured with The Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, and other organizations. Paulina is a registered Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher and a highly respected tutor in classical ballet, contemporary, lyrical, and a range of other dance styles. She has received major accolades including the Peggy van Praagh Award and the Sir Robert Helpmann Award for Professional Choreography, along with two national choreographic fellowships. Her acclaimed productions include La Choreografia (Best Dance Award, 2016 Sydney Fringe), Water Mirror, and Tryptico. An abridged, interactive version of Water Mirror, titled Water Rhythms, has been developed specifically for Musica Viva’s national school touring program, engaging thousands of students across Australia during its 2024 and 2025 tours. The full-length Water Mirror production, featuring a larger cast, will tour nationally in 2026 with support from Arts on Tour and Creative Australia.
RACHEL SCHMALZ-HOLM – Dance Ensembles
Rachel Schmalz-Holm has been working professionally for the last 26 years in all areas of the entertainment industry as a dancer, actor, and model on stage. She was an original cast member of Dein Perry’s Steel City, touring Australia and Radio City Music Hall, New York, and later performed at Sadler’s Wells, London with Tap Dogs Rebooted. Rachel performed in both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics with Bootmen, Vanessa Amarossi and Kylie Minogue. On film, Rachel appeared in the feature films Bootmen and Happy Feet 2, as well as many TV Commercials.
Piano
GLENN AMER – Piano Solos
Glenn Amer is the only pianist in history to have made Cylinders, Pianola Rolls and Compact Discs. In addition to his work with opera companies as a Pianist and Conductor, Glenn is found touring the world presenting his one-man show (he is a singer too and has been described as having “the fingers of Liberace and the voice of Mario Lanza”!) He has been featured on TV shows all over the world in addition to his regular broadcasts in Australia. Glenn was interviewed on ABC-FM’s “Duet” and his performance subsequently released on Duet Vol. 2. on ABC Classics. Other recordings can be heard on the EMI, Sony DSD, Fanfare Classics, Cre8ion and Ambition labels.
CLEMENS LESKE – Piano Solos
Clemens Leske has performed with six Australian symphony orchestras and played at venues in Spain, the UK, Singapore, New Zealand, the US, Hungary, and China. He has appeared in a national tour with flautist Sir James Galway and in regular performances with the Australian String Quartet, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Offspring, Omega Ensemble, the Moscow Virtuosi and at the Bang On A Can and Focus Festivals of new music in New York City. Four CDs of solo piano works ranging from Chopin to William Duckworth were released last year. Clemens very much enjoys his work in teaching and research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Vladimir Askenazy states: ‘Mr Clemens Leske is in my opinion an extraordinary musician and pianist.’ More information at music.sydney.edu.au (Sydney Conservatorium).
ALEXANDER YAU – Piano Solos
Alexander Yau, an eminent young Australian pianist, has developed himself as a complete musician incorporating his many musical talents as a Chamber Musician, Conductor and Composer. He obtained his Masters Degree at The Juilliard School, NYC, USA, studying with Prof. Matti Raekallio. Alexander is a lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, casual principal of the Sydney Symphony and contracted music staff in Opera Australia. His concerts have taken him worldwide, performing in various festivals and venues such as City Recital Hall in Sydney, Tanglewood Festival, FOCUS Festival, Alice Tully Hall in NYC etc. Alexander has performed as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and many others.
Speech and Drama
SHELLEY CASEY – Drama Ensembles
Over the past 10 years, Shelley Casey has worked as a Drama and English teacher across NSW in both government and private schools. She has also worked in the independent theatre scene as an actor, director, and producer. In 2016, she founded SheShakespeare Theatre Company. Passion and perseverance led her to her dream role as Education Programs Manager at Bell Shakespeare, where she helps bring transformative theatre experiences to students and teachers. She also continues to direct and teach as a Drama tutor with the Arts Unit, NSW – one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
DANIEL CORDEAUX – Drama Improvisation Ensembles
Daniel Cordeaux has worked as a professional actor, director, and teacher for over 30 years. He has performed extensively in theatre and screen specialising in improvisation. Daniel studied under Keith Johnstone at the first International Improvisation Summer School in Calgary, Canada. Daniel has performed in comedy festivals both locally and internationally. He has performed in theatre productions from Shakespeare to contemporary Australian plays. Daniel won the Improv World Cup representing Australia at the Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival Montreal, Canada. He starred in the original hit TV comedy Thank God You’re Here as a leading ensemble cast member for four seasons. He has taught, coached and directed in schools and colleges around Australia, and has coached the winning teams in the Theatresports School Competition.
MATILDA RIDGWAY – Drama Solos & Ensembles
Matilda Ridgway is an award-winning Actor, Director and Arts Educator. Her theatre credits include: The River and Rules for Living (STC) Prima Facie (NORPA) Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Master and Margarita and Jasper Jones (Belvoir); Coriolanus, Just Romeo and Juliet, Just Macbeth, Hamlet and Henry IV (Bell Shakespeare); Norman Conquests, Proof, Seminar, My Wonderful Day, Brooklyn Boy and Ruby Sunrise (Ensemble). Film and Television credits include, Bump, the feature films, Disclosure, June Again and award-winning short films Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and The Guests.
MADELEINE RUSSELL – Oratory Solos
Madeleine Russell is an accomplished Sydney-based performer with more than 15 years of professional stage experience. Originally from Adelaide, she made her theatre debut with Opera Australia and has since performed across theatre, cabaret, and commercial entertainment, most recently touring with The Christmas Spectacular and Sydney Showboats. Madeleine has also co-produced her own work, including Jazz!, which received Best Cabaret at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2023. Holding a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre), she has taught dance, singing, and acting for 12 years and is passionate about mentoring emerging talent. Madeleine has completed a Master of Media Practice and is a Senior Consultant at GRACosway, Australia’s leading public affairs and strategic communications advisory firm.
ELOISE SNAPE – Drama Solos
Eloise is an award-winning writer and actor. She completed a Bachelor of Media in Writing at Macquarie University and an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts from Actors Centre Australia. Eloise has worked extensively across all mediums. On screen, most recently for Disney in The Artful Dodger Season 2 and in theatre as Mary Jane in the Australian Premiere of Mary Jane at The Old Fitz. Eloise’s debut work as a writer, Pony, was shortlisted for every major playwriting award in Australia and then premiered at Griffin in 2023. Eloise’s next play The Elevator will premiere at the Ensemble in September this year.
Instrumental
DILLON FRAZIER – Rock Bands & Contemporary Music Ensembles
DILLON FRAZIER – Rock Bands
Dillon Frazier started playing in bands at the age of 16, learning the ropes in local venues and building his craft from the ground up. Since then, he has built a career around live performance and songwriting, touring extensively across Australia with his current band, BREADCLUB, a Sydney-based band praised for delivering a tight, “lush” blend of soul, funk, and indie-pop”. Known for high-energy live performances, they have been described as a “real radio-type” band with a distinctive sound. Their music has been described as a creative, harmonic, and high-tempo mix.
STEVE GRIEVE – Contemporary Music Ensembles & Rock Bands
A versatile and accomplished guitar player, Steve Grieve has many decades professional experience recording and performing Australia wide with artists such as Margaret Urlich, Christine Anu, Wendy Matthews, and visiting international performers including Jimmy Witherspoon, Elvin Bishop and Norton Buffalo. Steve has composed for and produced several albums for his own band ‘Steve Grieve and The Mourners’, independent albums for other artists, and more recently a solo work towards a Master of Research in music at WSU. Steve also teaches guitar, ensemble and composition at both tertiary and high school level, most recently at WSU and Sydney Grammar School.
MARTYN HENTSCHEL – Instrumental Solos
New Zealand–born violinist Martyn Hentschel completed a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, studying with Polish violinist Jan Tawroszewicz. After relocating to Sydney in 1999, he undertook postgraduate performance studies with renowned pedagogue Alice Waten. Martyn has performed with the Sydney Philharmonia and Opera Australia Orchestra, and his playing features across film, television, theatre, and contemporary recordings. Turning his focus to education, he completed a Master of Teaching (Secondary), earning a place on the University of New England Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars List. He has served as Head of Strings at Cranbrook School for the past decade and is an active adjudicator, presenter, guest conductor, and NSW committee member of the Australian Strings Association.
ANDREW McWADE – Instrumental Solos
Andrew McWade has been working as an Ensemble Director for over a decade. He accepted the appointment of Director of Bands at Barker in 2015. He is also the Founding Music Director of the North Shore Wind Symphony, one of Australia’s premiere wind bands and is a regular conductor of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Wind Symphony. Andrew holds two degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music – a Bachelor of Music Education, with a Principal Study in Saxophone and a Master of Music Studies in Conducting. Andrew has been fortunate to study and learn from many of Australia’s leading music educators and has also participated in international conducting symposiums. Andrew is on the board of the NSW Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association where he organises and leads professional development courses.
JAMES PENSINI – Instrumental Ensembles
James Pensini is one of the leading conductors of youth instrumental music in Australia. Alongside his work at Sydney Youth Orchestras, he is also Head of Music Performance P-12 at Santa Sabina College. As a conductor, James has worked in and run many of the finest instrumental music programs for young people at a school and representative level in Australia and has led more than fifty regional, interstate and international tours. His work has taken him from conducting choirs at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, youth orchestras at the Berlin Philharmonie, wind ensembles with the United States Navy Band all the way to incredible community ensembles in Far-West New South Wales. James is a former State and National Board member of the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association, and is regularly called upon as an adjudicator, guest conductor, workshop presenter and conducting mentor. James is Sydney Youth Orchestra’s Head of Orchestral Training and Artistic Programming.
PAUL STENDER – Instrumental Solos
Since returning to Australia in 2009, Paul Stender has established a diverse performing career, working regularly with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra as well as Guest Principal Cello engagements with Opera Australia Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia and ACO Collective. A keen chamber musician, Paul has appeared with numerous smaller ensembles including Australia Ensemble and Sydney Art Quartet. Paul is currently Principal Cellist with Omega Ensemble with which he maintains a busy performing, touring and recording schedule. Paul completed his Bachelor of Music with David Pereira at the Canberra School of Music before moving to Austria to continue his studies with Vienna Philharmonic principal Wolfgang Herzer at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien.
ANDREW WATKINS – Instrumental Ensembles
Andrew Watkins is the Head of Music Performance K–12 at Roseville College, where he leads and oversees all instrumental and choral ensemble programs across the school. In this role he directs major ensembles, coordinates a large calendar of concerts and events, and manages a diverse team of specialist music tutors, fostering a vibrant and cohesive performance culture from primary through to senior years. A passionate and energetic conductor, Andrew is committed to musical excellence, artistry and strong ensemble identity. He is also active as a performing musician, working regularly with orchestras across Sydney.
GIUSEPPE ZANGARI – Instrumental Solos
Giuseppe Zangari is a Sydney-born classical guitarist holding Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium, where he studied with Gregory Pikler. He later received an Italian Government Scholarship to study in Milan. Giuseppe performs widely as a soloist and chamber musician across Australia and internationally, collaborating with artists including Jane Rutter and appearing with major orchestras. An experienced educator, he has taught at the Sydney and Newcastle Conservatoriums and serves as an AMEB Examiner. He is Director of Sydney Guitar School and is dedicated to promoting contemporary Australian guitar music.
Vocal
NATALIE AROYAN – Vocal Solos
Armenian-Australian soprano Natalie Aroyan holds a Postgraduate Diploma of Opera from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a double-degree in Business and I.T. from the Australian Catholic University. She is a winner of the Opera Foundation New York Competition, Herald Sun Aria, and the Italian Opera Foundation Award, studying at Mannes College, New York and the Accademia di Bel Canto, Italy with Mirella Freni. Natalie’s roles with Opera Australia include the title roles in Tosca, Aida, Adrianna Lecouvreur, Rachel (La Juive), Elena (Mefistofele), Odabella (Attila), Mimì (La bohème), Elvira (Ernani), Amelia Grimaldi (Simon Boccanegra), Desdemona (Otello), and Eva (Die Meistersinger).Natalie has also performed Mimì and Marguerite (Faust) for West Australian Opera; Amelia Grimaldi in Bari; Aida in Busseto; Verdi Requiem in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne; opera galas with QSO and MSO; Ortlinde (Die Walküre) with SSO.
STEFANIE CACCAMO – Vocal Solos
Stefanie Caccamo graduated in 2016 from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre. Stefanie made her professional stage debut in the Australian Tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, understudying the role of Carole King. Most recently, Stefanie performed in the Australian premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together. Other theatre roles have included the Girl in ONCE (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) for which she was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Musical at the Greenroom Awards (2023) and Sydney Theatre Awards (2019). She also appeared as Arwen in The Lord of the Rings a Musical Tale, Rapunzel in Into the Woods (Belvoir St Theatre), Laurey in Richard Carroll’s reimagined Oklahoma! (Black Swan State Theatre Company).
JOEL GRANGER – Vocal Solos
A graduate of WAAPA’s Bachelor of Arts Music Theatre course and with a Master of Teaching (Secondary), Joel Granger’s theatrical highlights include: Benny Southstreet in Guys & Dolls, Tony Standby in West Side Story (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour), Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon, Pippin (GFO) and Hairspray (Crossroads Live). Screen highlights include: Happiness (HBO Max), Please Like Me (ABC) and True Story with Hamish & Andy (Channel Nine). Joel most recently won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical as the title role in Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical (Hayes Theatre Co.).
AMY MOORE – Vocal Ensembles
Amy Moore is an adept soloist, ensemble singer, and musical director, with a particular affinity for both Early and Contemporary Music. During her distinguished career in the UK, she performed with many of the leading ensembles, including The Tallis Scholars, Tenebrae, EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble, The BBC Singers, and The English Concert. Amy is increasingly sought after as a director, conductor, vocal ensemble coach and voice teacher, and was Guest Artist in Residence with Adelaide Chamber Singers in 2025. She is co-founder of CASTALIA Vocal Consort, and was conductor from 2022 to 2025 of Phoenix Choir in Blackheath.
MELISSA KENNY – Vocal Ensembles
Melissa Kenny is a professional conductor, performer, vocal coach, and music educator with over 30 years’ experience working with musicians, bands, vocal groups, and singers around Australia. An arranger and multi-instrumentalist, she completed her B.Mus. degree in Composition at the University of Sydney and received a diploma in Jazz Studies from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Melissa is the founder and Artistic Director of 50-voice, award-winning ensemble Soulfood a cappella, and conducts various choirs across Sydney. She is also in demand as an instrumental and vocal coach and regularly runs workshops for schools, churches, vocal groups, choral societies, and festivals, as well as teaching voice at her private studio.
JULIA VACCARO – Songwriting
Julia Vaccaro, also known as Julia Ivory, is a 23-year-old Sydney artist celebrated for her raw vocals, classically trained piano style, and authentic alternative-pop songwriting. With over seven years of professional performance experience and training at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, she later earned a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting from JMC Academy. Since her 2022 debut EP, she has performed at Lazy Bones, Oxford Art Factory, The Lansdowne, and SXSW Sydney 2023. Her 2025 single “If Only I Knew” earned 2nd place in the LACM x ICMP International Songwriting Competition, marking her as a rising voice in emotionally rich pop.
