Richard Gill is one of Australia’s pre-eminent and most admired conductors and is internationally respected as a music educator, specialising in opera, musical theatre and vocal and choral training. Richard’s work in developing young musicians and creating opportunities for them is recognised world-wide. He is Music Director of the newly formed Victorian Opera and also Artistic Director of the Education Program for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He has been Artistic Director of OzOpera, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and the Adviser for the Musica Viva In Schools program.

Kavisha Mazzella is an ARIA award winning singer songwriter,choir leader and folklorist unafraid to cross musical boundaries and create community experiences in her shows.She first came to National attention with her appearance in the Franco Di Chiera documentary " Joys Of The Women" in 1993. Drawing on her rich Mediterranian heritage she creates contemporary songs with haunting melody and lyrical depth. While her early influences come from the singer songwriter tradition of the likes of Sandy Denny,Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, over time due to her passion for italian regional folksong,she has absorbed more influence from the East with its modal tones and ecstatic singing styles of Indian,Arabic, Southern Italian and Gypsy influenced song.

Kelly Auty has sung since she can remember. Born in Mooroopna near Shepparton, I grew up on the Ord river in the Kimberleys, also lived in Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra. I first heard singing from the voices of Paul Robeson, Miriam Makeba, Odetta, Bessie Smith, Eartha Kitt, and a myriad of finely tuned, well honed voices rich with living, poetry and authenticity. Folk songs, field hollers, blues, classics, amazing choirs, gypsy music...great food for a fertile mind.

Kinja (Ron Murray & Sarah James)

When Ron Murray plays his didgeridoo, he wears a wreath of cockatoo feathers in his hair. At his side, Sarah James’ hair flows wild and free as she plays fiddle and sings Celtic and Australian folk songs. Sarah and Ron are from different worlds. She’s a city girl, of Scottish ancestry. He’s a descendent of the Wamba Wamba people, whose traditional area was around Victoria’s Swan Hill. However, both worked in Aboriginal Affairs, and a commitment to social justice and equity for Indigenous people brought them together. Now married, their haunting partnership of violin and didgeridoo transcends cultural differences. They perform under the name of ‘Kinja’: “Kinja means ‘my home’ in Wamba Wamba; it’s about homelands and heritage,” Sarah says.

Arabella Davison

Kate Dearaugo. Whatever happens from here, it's a name you won't forget any time soon. Kate DeAraugo - Our new Australian Idol.

Suddenly, all of Australia knows a lot about 20-year-old Kate DeAraugo. More than just a name, it feels as if a nation has fallen for her voice, her poise, her character. We've met her family, we know where she grew up. Her face is everywhere - television, the front pages of newspapers, magazines.

Gabriel Sage has spent her entire life honing and preparing her natural vocal ability for a career in Opera.
Now is her time to put years of dedication, study and hard work into practice.
Entering many of this year's vocal competitions including 'Operalia' and 'The Queen Sonja Vocal Competition’ in Europe are to be Gabriel's opportunity to make her natural gift of voice heard by the world's most influential decision makers in Opera today.
This is not a dream. This is a journey...