Lydia Cagney Morris is an award‑winning ballet teacher, examiner and adjudicator whose passion for dance education spans five decades.

 

Trained in the RAD syllabus in Ulverstone, Tasmania, with Judith Nicholls, she furthered her studies in Victoria, earning qualifications in the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet and the ISTD syllabi in Modern and Tap.

 

Lydia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies (Drama and Dance) from Victoria University of Technology (1993) and a Licentiate Diploma with Cecchetti Ballet Australia, alongside a Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management (CUA50311) and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

 

A respected leader in the sector, she has served as State Organiser of Cecchetti Ballet Victoria’s Choreographic Competition since 2003 and, from 2020, as an AMEB PAA Examiner assessing Musical Theatre, Acting, Jazz and Contemporary.

 

With 25 years’ experience adjudicating dance, speech and drama across Australia and New Zealand, Lydia brings insight, artistry and professionalism to every student and stage, and teaches privately at her dance and drama school in Beaumaris, Melbourne.

Paula is a highly experienced instrumental adjudicator with a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in music education and performance. She has adjudicated calisthenics competitions for over 20 years, travelling extensively across Australia to officiate at both State and National Championships. Her expertise also extends to music eisteddfods, where
she has served as an adjudicator in Victoria and South Australia.

A passionate educator, Paula has dedicated more than 30 years to teaching classroom music in Melbourne. She is widely respected for her ability to inspire both students and fellow educators and has conducted music and vocal workshops for teachers throughout Australia, sharing her deep knowledge and practical experience.

 

As a performer, Paula is an accomplished woodwind specialist, having played the clarinet, saxophone, and flute professionally for over 40 years. Her performance experience is extensive and diverse, including orchestras, concert bands, and big bands. She has also contributed significantly to the performing arts as a musical director for music theatre productions and has performed in numerous musical theatre orchestras.
Paula brings a comprehensive and well-rounded perspective to adjudication, combining technical expertise, performance insight, and a lifelong commitment to music education. Her thoughtful and constructive approach makes her a valued and respected adjudicator within the Australian performing arts community.

Phoebe Humphreys is a multi-award-winning vocalist, arts educator, and producer with over 16 years of experience in the performing arts and music industry across Australia and Europe.

 

With more than 200 vocal awards and a decade performing in Opera Australia's prestigious full-time chorus totalling over 1,500 performances— she has also graced the stage of the Sydney Opera House as a soloist on numerous occasions.

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Holding a Master of Arts in Performance (Opera) from Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London), Phoebe is recognized for her artistic excellence, leadership, and dedication to youth development in the arts. She has taught and mentored many of Australia's top emerging vocalists, offering comprehensive coaching in drama, stagecraft, and technique.

 

A respected national adjudicator, she has judged major competitions including the Sydney, Ryde, and Penrith, Cowra Eisteddfods, to name only a few and has directed and produced vocal and dramatic programs in schools nationwide Creative, organized, and passionate, Phoebe continues to contribute to the cultural landscape through her performance, education, and artistic leadership.

Allan Hessey is an active musician and educator based in Melbourne. He is a highly
experienced music assessor, having adjudicated numerous eisteddfods across Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.

With extensive experience in developing school music programs, Allan has conducted
concert bands, choirs, and orchestras, and has worked widely as both a performer and musical director in productions across Melbourne.

He regularly presents workshops and seminars in music education, singing, and conducting
throughout Australia, sharing his expertise and passion with students and educators alike.

Allan has held positions as a Music Educator and Director of Music at several Melbourne
schools. In addition to his teaching roles, he is also an accomplished sound and lighting
technician, contributing to both school and theatre productions.

He is the founding member of the Allan Hessey Big Band, which has performed at numerous events across Victoria. Earlier in his career, Allan toured nationally as a trumpet player with the Moscow Circus and continues to work as a freelance musician in Melbourne.

 

His performance experience spans musical theatre, orchestral work, and solo engagements.

 

Allan is also honoured to perform The Last Post at ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day
services throughout Melbourne.

 

He studied at the Victorian College of the Arts and completed his Bachelor of Education at
the University of Melbourne.

Kay is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, an international dance adjudicator and a working professional actor and owner for her own Performing Arts Studios on the Gold Coast.

 

Many of her students are working in professional dancing roles in all genres. She has trained students to study full time with:

• The Australian Ballet 

• Queensland Ballet 

• Tanzacademie in Zurich on full scholarship

• QUT Contemporary programme on Vice Chancellor’s Bursary Award of $30,000.00

• Currently dancing professionally with:

• Montreal Ballet Company 

• Moulin Rouge in Paris and many more. 

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Ms Flynn also studies in Psychology and Law. 

Liz has had the privilege of adjudicating a wide range of performances including solos, duos, and team routines across various age groups and divisions. She recalls the honour of the first time travelling interstate to the ACT to adjudicate at their State Championships which was an incredible experience. 

 

Her passion for calisthenics spans nearly 50 years, and over the decades she has competed, coaches and mentored both coaches and performers. Throughout this time, she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of calisthenics, not just in terms of physical fitness, but also in building teamwork, discipline and resilience. 

 

Currently Liz is an assistant coach to the Robynmore Seniors, a role that brings her immense joy. Working with such dedicated and talented athletes is incredibly rewarding and she is proud to help them strive for excellence. 

 

Liz was a member of the committee for the Mountain District Competition for over 10 years. Her time on the committee allowed her to contribute to the growth and development of the competition, ensuring that it provided a positive and rewarding experience for both competitors and spectators. 

 

Given her extensive involvement in calisthenics, it's safe to say that calisthenics is a significant part of her life! 

 

As an adjudicator, Liz feels it is truly a privilege to support the next generation of coaches and competitors and hopes to contribute to the ongoing success of our amazing sport. 

Kevin Tamanini, pianist, studied at the Music Universities of Lübeck and Saarbrücken (Germany), earning a Master of Music in piano performance in 2009.

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A linguist, Kevin speaks nine languages fluently and has a keen interest in literature, leading him to work primarily with singers.

He has participated in festivals and concerts throughout Europe and Australia, collaborating with renowned artists such as Noël Lee, Jean-Philippe Vivier, Rolando Villazón, and Yuja Wang, and served as répétiteur for numerous masterclasses (Jennifer Larmore, François Le Roux, Thomas Brandis, Udo Reinemann, etc.).

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In 1997, Kevin won the Sarrebourg International Competition for Young Pianists.

Since his arrival in Australia in 2022, Kevin Tamanini has worked with companies such as Opera Australia, Melbourne Opera, BK Opera, the Melbourne Composer's League, The Fortyfivedownstairs Chamber Music Festival, etc.

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He adjudicated the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod and Eisteddfod by the Bay competitions and was also the season mentor for 'The Talent' on 3MBS in 2025.

Mark has worked with young choirs for more than 40 years. He founded Young Voices of Melbourne in 1990 and has been Gondwana Voices’ Principal Guest Conductor since its first season in 1997.

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He has been on more than 47 national and international tours and has made 18 Cd recordings with Young Voices of Melbourne, Gondwana Voices and Exaudi youth choir.

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He publishes choral music for young singers in the YVM Choral Series and is the creator of the Sight Singing School website and books, used in more than 50 countries. He is a Churchill Fellow, an Honorary Life Member of Kodály Australia and was awarded an OAM for services to choral music in 2018.