MMus, GradDipMus, GradDipArts, BA (Creative), LMusA, Churchill Fellow

Kathy Pingel studied music at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), graduating with a double major Master of Music (Performance and Pedagogy) in 2000. She studied under distinguished pianist, Wendy Lorenz.

Kathy has also gained her Associate and Licentiate diplomas in Pianoforte from the AMEB and in 1998 was awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Fellowship which took her on a tour of seven highly regarded American Schools of Music. She has also held the positions of Head and Program Coordinator of the Department of Music, Lecturer in Music (Piano, Pedagogy) and Program Coordinator, General Studies and Arts Combined Degrees at USQ as well as Editor General and Marker for AMEB teaching examination papers. Kathy is an AMEB Pianoforte Examiner and is also active as a teacher, performer and adjudicator. She is also one of two NSW representatives on the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Association Committee and is Conference Chair for the 2011 Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference which will be held in Wagga Wagga from 4-8 July 2011 (download brochure here). She was appointed as the Director of the Macquarie Conservatorium in June 2008.

Lindy is a very active musician. During her schooling, she studied piano, singing and viola. She was a member of the Dubbo City Orchestra until the age of 20.

In addition to working full time as a School Administration Manager, she has been teaching piano for the past 28 years. Lindy conducts the highly successful Harmony Singers Inc, an SATB choir of approximately 40 voices and, in her role as Director, School Choral Programs, she conducts the Macquarie Conservatorium Treble Makers and numerous Public School Choirs. She also assists with musical productions and is involved with the Dubbo Theatre Company as vocal coach for soloists and chorus and plays keyboard for their performances.

B.Ed., AMusA

Catherine has enjoyed much success as a piano teacher and provides tuition to students from beginner to Advanced levels. She has a strong commitment to the educational interests of children and, in addition to her involvement with teaching piano, has been an Infants School Teacher with the NSW Department of Education for over thirty years.

As performance is an important aspect of learning to play an instrument, each Semester Catherine’s students perform in her Studio Concert at the Macquarie Conservatorium, enabling them to share their talents with each other and with their parents. Her students are also encouraged to perform in Eisteddfods, exams and various other concerts as appropriate.

She also has a strong commitment to her own Professional Development and regularly attends Seminars and Workshops in Sydney in order to keep abreast with the latest thinking in Piano Pedagogy.

Catherine is of the belief that all children can be involved with music and learn the skills that will enable them to have a fulfilling and enriched musical life.

Pam began formal piano lessons at the Dubbo Convent of Mercy at the age of 6. She completed all grades in piano, theory and perception through Trinity College of London.

Pam was awarded a scholarship to study at the Sydney Conservatorium but decided instead to go to Teachers’ College and become an Infants School Teacher. She began teaching in 1958 and retired in 2000. During these 42 years, she trained and accompanied many choirs, percussion bands, recorder groups and a string ensemble. Additionally, she was the pianist for many musical performances.

Pam successfully auditioned for the position of pianist for the Western area of the Sing 2001 Choir which performed in numerous events including Opera House concerts, Pacific School Games and The Paralympics.

She joined the teaching staff of the Macquarie Conservatorium in February 2003 and is a member of Harmony Singers.

Dannielle MacBeth completed her 8th Grade AMEB piano exam in 2005 and is currently studying for the Associate Degree in Music Education through Charles Sturt University. In 2003 Dannielle was awarded the Orana Education Centre Encouragement Scholarship through the Macquarie Conservatorium and recently attained first place in the Open Piano Championship in 2010’s City of Dubbo Eisteddfod.

As a school student Dannielle performed with the Sing 2001 Choir at various events including the Pacific School Games and School Spectacular and she is now an active member of the Dubbo Theatre Company. In both 2003 and 2009 Dannielle was awarded Young Citizen of the Year within the Coolah and Warrumbungle Shires. These awards reflected her musical contribution in the Coolah community, providing the music for Church services, Carols by Candlelight, Australia Day and Anzac Day ceremonies.

In addition to this Dannielle has also held the position of accompanist for the Dubbo Macquarie Conservatorium Singers.

During her school years, Di studied piano privately through the Newcastle Conservatorium. An active musician, she was the resident pianist for School Musicals and the School Choir and also played clarinet with the Lake Macquarie Concert Band and in School Bands.

Di operated a successful private piano teaching studio for 10 years, during which time she was engaged as a pianist in several restaurants.

In 2002, she commenced in the role of Administrator of Macquarie Conservatorium bringing her vast experience in the field of financial management and administration to the role.

Currently Diane is the accompanist for Harmony Singers, The Macquarie Conservatorium Treble Makers, various primary school choirs and The Dubbo Theatre Company. She also accompanies for concerts, eisteddfods, exams and HSC music performances.

Marion has taught at the Macquarie Conservatorium since 1995. Her students have enjoyed much success and pleasing results in Eisteddfods and Exams.

Marion has been an official accompanist for the Dubbo Eisteddfod Society. Her experience as accompanist has also extended to music examinations and RAD Ballet exams where her involvement has included class and Eisteddfod routines.

Marion has also served as a church organist.

BMus (with distinction), AMusA

Shannon Laundon completed a Bachelor of Music (with distinction) at the University of Southern Queensland in 2010 majoring in piano and was awarded a Faculty of Arts Medal. In addition to gaining her AMusA in piano, Shannon has completed her 8th Grade Trombone exam. Shannon has taught piano, brass and theory at various private schools in Toowoomba and surrounds and in her home studio and is also an accomplished accompanist and conductor.