Staff Profiles

ADMINISTRATION

Our administration staff are not full-time, but whether it be in the office or at our events, you are likely to find them everywhere.

Director: Rebecca Ryan BA (Communication)

Rebecca is passionate about her local community and has demonstrated this through a 15-year plus involvement in community cultural development.

Rebecca completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, and moved to Gunnedah in 1998 to work as a journalist for the award-winning Namoi Valley Independent. After five years, Rebecca moved into Public Relations, working for leading agency Sefton & Associates in its Gunnedah and Tamworth offices. During this time, Rebecca worked for national clients including Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, Animal Health Australia, Plant Health Australia, Telstra, and Westpac. The campaign she delivered for Plant Health Australia was awarded a Golden Target Public Relations Institute Award.

Rebecca’s passion has always been community arts, and she was a key volunteer member of the Two Rivers Arts Council in Gunnedah during the late 1990s and early 2000s, producing and directing community theatre and working on Gunnedah’s annual Two Rivers Arts Festival. She is currently Vice-President of Arts North West (the regional arts board). In 2009, Rebecca served as the coordinator of the Two Rivers Arts Council's Circus Programs and first became involved with the Conservatorium as a committee member.

Rebecca commenced work with the Gunnedah Conservatorium in January 2010 following the organisation's acceptance into the NSW Department of Education's Regional Conservatorium Grant Program. Rebecca oversaw the Conservatorium's successful application for triennial funding and has steered the organisation through a period of significant growth, with the organisation's level of activity more than doubling through increased individual tuition, as well as school and community programs, and an annual concert series.

While not a musician, Rebecca has a love of music which was fostered through her experiences at primary and high school. She shares that love and passion at the Conservatorium daily.

Renata Davidson - Administration and Finance Officer

Renata has been a member of the Gunnedah Conservatorium team since 2018. She serves as the Administration Officer, responsible for providing administrative support to both teachers and students. Renata enjoys experiencing the growth of students as she hears their musical development from the office. She also takes joy in helping to coordinate and prepare for Conservatorium events, as well as attending concerts by visiting artists and student showcases.

Renata has extensive experience in managing a family business and a veterinary clinic, and holds a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Renata is a passionate and involved community member who has previously held numerous voluntary positions with various community organisations. As a horse enthusiast, Renata is often found judging or helping run horse competitions around the district. Currently, Renata is a director on the board of the NSW Polo Association, secretary of the Gunnedah Polo Club, and a member of the organising committee for ISHE (Inter-Schools Horse Extravaganza) in Tamworth.

TUTORS

Gunnedah Conservatorium employs qualified tutors who strive to provide their students with the best experience when learning an instrument. Tutors undertake regular professional development in their field of interest and in other music-related areas.

James Brown - Vocal, Piano, and the Blenders Choir

Jamie has been teaching at the Conservatorium for 10 years and teaches vocals and piano. He enjoys choral work and conducts the Conservatorium's adult choir, the Blenders, and has conducted combined school choirs for Schools on Stage and for Education Week.

Jamie studied classical singing and piano at the University of New England and the New England Conservatorium, under the guidance of Professor Roger Woodward and Mrs. Peta Blyth O.A.M. (formerly of the Australian Opera). He has also performed as a soloist with Opera North West and the Armidale Choral Society. Jamie finds his inspiration from seeing other performances and enjoys seeing how students and teachers can collaborate.

He enjoys working at the Conservatorium because he loves what it has to offer students and enjoys getting to know them. Jamie tailors his lessons for each individual student, and believes that if a student can find a piece of music that they love, they are more likely to practice and enjoy their musical studies.

Marg Amos - The Singalongs Choir

Marg has been teaching for 44 years across various schools in Gunnedah, starting her piano teaching while she was at university. She has taught High School Music, K-2 Brass, and Primary School music. She is also the convener of the Music Section of the Gunnedah Eisteddfod and has given hundreds of Gunnedah Students their first taste of performance. Currently, she leads the Conservatorium's Singalongs choir on Wednesdays.

Marg finds her creative inspiration by learning from other teachers and students, and her favorite composer is Chopin because it is exciting, challenging, and vibrant. Marg enjoys teaching music as she loves to see the joy it brings to others.

Roxanne Harris - Piano and Vocals

Roxanne has been teaching music for over 20 years across Newcastle, Quirindi, and Gunnedah. She has taught music in both high school and primary schools and offers lessons in piano, voice, and drums. Roxanne takes a holistic approach to teaching, guiding students to develop not only their technical skills but also their musicality and stage presence. She prepares students for AMEB exams and the Gunnedah Eisteddfod, and loves supporting them as they build their skills and confidence along the way.

Roxanne enjoys being part of the Conservatorium team and values the opportunity to inspire students to express themselves and share their love of music through performance.

Hanna-Malgorzata Kaminska - Violin

Hanna was born into a family of musicians in Poland: her father was a classical and jazz performing double bassist, and her mother was a professor of violin. After being accepted into a conservatory program at age seven, Hanna went on to attend the Conservatory of Music (the equivalent to Australian university level), completing sixteen years of music education.

After migrating to Australia in 1981, Hanna was granted a full scholarship for membership in the Sydney student orchestra, the ABC Symphonia. Her Australian career now spans over forty years and includes: the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Theatre Orchestra, Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

After many years of stage performances, radio/film recordings, workshops, and summer schools in Australia and overseas, Hanna opened a private studio to teach. From that point on, teaching has become her passion. She has taught with the QLD Department of Education and has also designed and developed new programs for private independent educational institutions.

Kathyrn Abbott - Piano

Kat is a classically trained pianist and vocalist who joined the Gunnedah Conservatorium in 2025. She has a broad teaching background, having previously taught both piano and singing, as well as conducting adult and children’s choirs.

While her current focus is on piano tuition, Kat's experience in opera and vocal performance enriches her approach to musicianship. She enjoys working with learners of all ages, from enthusiastic beginners to advanced students seeking to refine their artistry.

Kat places strong emphasis on healthy technique to develop flexibility, control, and beautiful tone. She creates a supportive learning environment where students feel confident to explore, grow, and enjoy the process of making music.

Michael Salvatore - Piano and Guitar

Michael joined the Gunnedah Conservatorium in 2025 and brings with him experience as a dedicated piano and guitar instructor. Prior to relocating to Gunnedah, he taught private lessons in Sydney, helping students of all ages develop confidence and musicality.

His own musical journey was shaped by influential teachers, including his long-term piano mentor, Hetty Sihite, who instilled in him a deep appreciation for expressive performance and a strong technical foundation. A formative early memory of learning Romance D’Amour from his father sparked a lifelong love for classical guitar.

Michael is passionate about student-led, personalised, and engaging music education, tailoring each lesson to help learners develop skills at their own pace while enjoying the creative process.