Meet our team
South West Music Regional Conservatorium is a Child Safe organisation.
South West Music policies can here viewed here.
Our Staff
Paul Young
Head of Music
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.
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 Concert Series and general communications at South West Music.
Gemma Rennie
Communications & Event Manager
Our Tutors
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.
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.
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.
Clancy Staunton
Clancy began guitar lessons at South West Music when he was thirteen. In 2016, Clancy moved to Melbourne and completed his Diploma of Performance followed by an Advanced Diploma of Performance at Melbourne Polytechnic. Whilst studying in Melbourne, he was the lead guitarist in “Grumble Guts”, a prog-punk band, and played bass in the jazz-fusion quintet “TSQ”. Clancy currently performs for various events and concerts around the Deniliquin area, and enjoys composing in his spare time.
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.
Ray Davy - Chair
Gai Burchfield - Deputy Chair
Geoff Mann - Treasurer
Tess Chartres
Helen Burnham
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
MaryLynne Bradford
Pam Ellen
Louise Allitt
Deborah Lee