President

Lynlee Williams
Eltham High School

Lynlee has been aMuse President since 2008. She is a classroom music teacher (including VCE) at Eltham High School, Melbourne. She is also a conductor in the school choral program. Lynlee has been VCAA state auditor for VCE "Music Performance". In addition, she is a regular classical/opera soloist for choirs and orchestras in and around Melbourne as well as for corporate functions. Lynlee is also a member of the casual chorus for Opera Australia and Victorian Opera.

Vice President

Nathan Byrne

St Paul's Anglican Grammar School

 Nathan is an experienced choral, classroom, and instrumental music teacher, having worked across a variety of educational settings across the last decade. He has worked as a classroom music teacher, first at Traralgon College as a classroom music teacher and coordinator, and currently as the Head of Performing Arts – Events at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School. In addition to his employment at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Nathan is the Musical Director for the West Gippsland Chorale – an auditioned mixed voice choir based in Warragul. Nathan has been a member of the aMuse committee since 2020.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Dr Mark McGee, Nathan qualified with a Master of Teaching (Secondary) degree from The University of Melbourne.

Prior to classroom music teaching, Nathan was the Musical Director for the Apollo Health Music Society Choir at The University of Melbourne, Parkville. This choir was a mixed voice, un-auditioned SATB choir to suit various ability levels. In this position he directed the choir through two major concerts a year, as well as minor performances at nursing homes and hospitals between 2009 and 2014. Since then, he has been heavily involved in community musical theatre as musical director, vocal coach and rehearsal pianist for Latrobe Theatre Company since 2015.

In addition to his role on the aMuse committee, Nathan is the secretary of the 2022 Australian National Chorale Association Vic-Tas (ANCA Vic-Tas) committee.

Treasurer

Kevin Kelley

Trinity Grammar School/Xavier College

Kevin Kelley commenced working for AMusE (then known as VSMA) in 1993 as the Extension Education OfficerPrevious teaching positions included Wangaratta High School and Moe High School. During his time at aMuse/VSMA he has been a casual chorister with Opera Australia, Victoria State Opera and the Victorian Opera. Kevin stepped asisde from his position at AMusE after a 30 year term to return to full time teaching. He is the Head of Choral and Vocal Music at Trinity Grammar School and also teaches singing at Xavier College. Kevin is originally from South Dakota and looks after two little dogs.

Secretary

Jenny Meachem
Camberwell Girls' Grammar School

Jennifer Meachem is the Director of Music at Camberwell Girls Grammar School, a position held since 2006. Her own diverse musical education and background which began as a young clarinetist, has included Victorian College of Arts Secondary School (aka VCASS ), University of Melbourne Faculty of Music, V.C.A, Melb College of Advanced Education (which became The Institute of Education) and University of Melbourne. Jennifer has taught across a full spectrum of schools from primary through to tertiary, independent, Catholic and Government school sectors in all areas of Music education. She has worked with pre service teachers at both University of Melbourne and La Trobe University. In 2008, Jennifer received a National Award for Excellence in School Music Education. She is passionate about all students having the opportunity to be engaged in exciting and valid music in both the Music classroom and as developing musicians in both ensemble and teaching studio contexts. .... Ignite a lifelong love of music through understanding and appreciation.

Program Cooridinator

Aoife Gavin

Ordinary Members

Amanda Baulch
Northern Bay College

Mandy Stefanakis

Life Member

Mandy Stefanakis has been Director of Music at Christ Church Grammar School for almost eight years and was previously Head of Music at Essex Heights Primary School.  She is very proudly past-President and a Life Member of aMuse. She has taught music from pre-school through to tertiary education.

At the University of Melbourne she lectured in music education to Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Bachelor of Early Childhood students. She also has a Master of Education from there. She has contributed to many arts curriculum initiatives including for VCAA, Musica Viva in Schools and the MSO and has conducted professional development to assist implement this curricula and also arts advocacy in Victoria and nationally over several decades. She is a member of the Advisory Council and the Music in Australia Knowledge Base Council of The Music Trust.

Mandy is the author of many articles and reviews and the Australian music focussed education kits, Turn it Up! written for secondary students.  She conducts extensive interviews with musicians and filmmakers for the National Film and Sound Archive. Her major research interest is the exploration of unique musical identities, how they are formed and can best be fostered with students. She is an avid composer and has written many pieces for school choirs and ensembles in addition to piano and orchestral music. Her obsession with piano and cello continues.

Robin Baker
Private studio teacher