Meet our team
South West Music Regional Conservatorium is a Child Safe organisation.
South West Music policies can here viewed here.
Our Staff
Leone Knight
Leone Knight is a values driven leader with experience in strategy, governance, operations, production, communications and stakeholder engagement.
She has worked in national and international media, entertainment and arts companies such as 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne, ABC Radio, Animal Logic, Channel 9 and Roadshow Entertainment.
Leone was raised in Orange NSW, hails from multigenerational musicians and landowners, and has been a cello student at the Orange Conservatorium of Music.
She is a graduate of the Communications Degree at UTS, the Australian Film, TV and Radio School and the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
Leone has seen the power of music enrich the lives of individuals and communities and is passionate about supporting mental health and wellbeing of people living in the bush.
CEO
Paul has extensive experience as a pianist, musical director and educator. He has previously held positions including Staff Accompanist/Performance Coach at Knox Grammar and Redlands, Acting Head of Keyboard and Staff Accompanist at The Scots College, Head of Music Performance at McDonald College of Performing Arts and Head of Performing Arts at Calvary Christian College. Whilst in these positions he has also toured extensively, performing in Asia, Europe and the United States with both local and international acts and companies. Paul has been the official accompanist for the State and National Band Championships, and has worked on various musicals including Las Vegas, Wicked, Miss Saigon and Priscilla Queen of the Desert with Australia’s top musical directors including John Foreman, Guy Simpson and Kellie Dickenson.
He has been appointed Musical Director for over a hundred revue, shows, cabarets and performances.
Paul Young
Head of Music
Anne Atley has performed the role of Administration Manager with South West Music for over five years. She holds a Certificate IV in Frontline Management and has 20 years’ experience in office and financial administration.
Anne Atley
Administration and Finance Manager
Gemma Rennie
Gemma joined South West Music in April 2022. Gemma has solid background in events and communications coming to us from large scale music festivals and concert touring - nationally & internationally. Gemma also spent considerable time working operationally on major sporting events including Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Gemma manages the Live Music Annual Series and general communications at South West Music.
Communications & Event Manager
Our Tutors
Zech Walters
Zech will be leading the River Rock Band Program and teaching guitar and song-writing.
Zech has been playing the guitar for sixteen years and has twenty-two years’ experience as a singer-songwriter. He is passionate about mentoring emerging musicians and sharing his experience in the recording music industry from session recording to production. His focus is on teaching creative song writing and rock band music business skills.
Zech currently teaches guitar and strings.
Sophie Butcher
Sophie was 12 years old when she decided she wanted to be a singer.
Sophie completed Senior Music for her HSC and holds a Cert III in Early Childhood Education & Care.
Sophie has been teaching with South West Music for 4 years and enjoys sharing the positive impact of music with her students and seeing them reach their personal goals.
Sophie currently teaches singing.
Michael Ladson
Michael has been playing drums for over 25 years.
Throughout his drumming career, Michael has been fortunate to have played on stages from the Deni Ute Muster to the Sydney Opera House.
Michael joined the South West Music team in 2020.
Michael currently teaches drums.
George Maddison
George started playing the piano at the age of 6 and has managed to love and play music ever since.
He studied clarinet under AMEB Examiner Edward Oxley and went on to serving 10 years as a musician in the army band. During this service that he attended the Defence Force School of Music. He has been teaching music for 25 years and teaches principally Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone and is a member of the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association.
George currently teaches woodwind.
Tomoko Niwa
Tomoko started playing piano at the age of four and by the age of 16 she successfully passed her Grade 8 piano exams with the Yamaha Music School in Japan.
Tomoko holds an Associate Degree in Preschool Education and recently sat for her AMEB Performance Certificate.
Tomoko started at South West Music in 2015. She enjoys classical piano and the fun and energy of playing the Electone.
Tomoko currently teaches piano.
Richard Sievers
Richard's professional life has included performing with companies such as Sadler’s Wells Ballet, Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, Brass Parts Brass Quintet and the Bolshoi Ballet, something he had dreamed about while in the Australian Boys Choir at the age of ten.
Prior to moving to Deniliquin in 1986 Richard taught at the Victorian Boys Choir and many private schools in Melbourne.
Our Board
South West Music is governed by a volunteer Board of Management. Our Board members work individually and collectively to ensure South West Music delivers on its vision, purpose and values. towards our mission.
Cheryl Fuller - Chair
Geoff Mann - Treasurer
Edwina Circuitt
Linda Fawns (Edward River Council)
Tess Chartres
Andrew Howley
Dr Dale McNeil
Live Music Committee
Our Live Music Committee members volunteer time, expertise and resources to ensure our visiting artists and guests enjoy an exciting range of events.
Helen Burnham - Chair
Kerry-Anne Jones - South West Arts representative
Francie Cullenward
Cheryl Fuller
MaryLynne Bradford
Pam Ellen
Louise Allitt
Pauline Huntington
Deborah Lee