B.Mus

In her formative years, Carmel learnt piano and clarinet but later became fascinated by the beauty of tone and repertoire for the violin. At age 12, she had the opportunity to learn violin under Sister Marie Langry who was instrumental in bringing the Suzuki Violin Method to Queensland in the 1970’s.

Despite studying only science and maths for Senior, Carmel embarked on intense music study at the Queensland Conservatorium and then went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland in 1985.

Carmel joined the staff of Macquarie Conservatorium in 2003.  In addition to teaching violin, she enjoys mentoring advanced violinists embarking on their own teaching career.

Carmel is also active as a performer and frequently plays for weddings, functions and in various ensembles.

Dale Freeman began playing and performing guitar 15 years ago. Beginning in local Dubbo youth bands Dale played in a variety of local Dubbo concerts. Dale also performed in and co-arranged pieces for the Delroy High School band while studying music theory under the tuition of Steve Parry.

In 1998 Dale became a co founder/producer/director of the 'Back To The Grind Youth Music Festival' running over 4 consecutive years and featuring 18 hours straight of live Dubbo music and musicians, it helped to showcase Dubbo's large variety of musical talents.

In 1999 Dale enrolled at the Macquarie Conservatorium of Music and studied Classical Guitar under Greg Gordon for 18 months, becoming a skilled and competent classical guitarist. Since the year 2000 Dale has also

studied Banjo, Lapsteel Guitar, Mandolin, Banjolin, Ukulele, Bass guitar and Dulcimer. Dale also studied the history of Classical music, Jazz and rock in this period of time and played and toured to Queensland, Sydney, Newcastle, and Canberra. Locally Dale has performed solo guitar pieces ranging from Bach and Beethoven to the Beatles and Santana at the Claypan Gallery. He also runs a youth music night at the Pastoral Hotel every second Tuesday. Where he performs with and promotes the younger bands and musicians in Dubbo.

For the past 4 years Dale has also been involved in the DATS musicals and pantomimes, playing bass guitar. Dale also performs regularly at the Midnight Cafe as well as private functions playing a wide variety of both musical styles and instruments depending on the situation.

BMus (MusEd)

Alice began her music studies at the age of 12 when she started violin in Dubbo under the Suzuki method. After 2 years under the Suzuki method she commenced studies in Orange with Lorraine Moxey (a member of Australian Brandenburg Orchestra) with several scholarship assistances. At this time she was a member of Orange Symphony Orchestra and completed multiple violin and musicianship exams with mostly distinction grades.
 
In 2004, Alice completed her HSC with extension music and gained entry into the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, also with the assistance of scholarships. During her university years she was a member of Sydney University Orchestra, Sydney Intercol Orchestra, Music and Drama Coordinator at the Women’s College, as well as many other Music and Theatrical organisations.
 
In 2006, Alice began teaching the string program at Leichhardt Public School with only 5 students and then in 2009 40+ students performed at the Sydney Opera House for the Instrumental Festival as part of the Department of Education Creative Arts. Alice has also worked with Music Therapy and Adult Music learning. At the end of 2009, Alice completed a Bachelor of Music & Education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in violin and education and is now currently the Head of Music at the Dubbo Christian School.
 
Alice is passionate about music and its ability to relate to all humans. She creates music lessons not for music’s sake but for the students’ sake.

B.A., B.Th., Dip.Ed., Dip.Min., Dip.Law. (B.A.B.), Dip.Crim

Greg Gordon has been teaching guitar for Macquarie Conservatorium since January 1991.

Greg began his guitar studies under Mina Bedwell, Master of Music from Sydney Conservatorium, majoring in classical guitar. Prior to this, Greg had been a poet and songwriter for a number of Sydney bands.

Through his contact with the Sydney music scene, Greg played in quite a number of different types of bands including soft rock, jazz, folk, bush, blues, Hawaiian, heavy rock and metal.

Greg has taught music at High School and has also presented numerous workshops. He has also devised over 40 different curricula, each lasting 3 years and over.

Greg also teaches Bass guitar, harmonica and banjo.

BMusEd

Susan Hovenden has lived in Dubbo since 1987 and has been associated with the Macquarie Conservatorium for most of that time. Susan studied violin, piano and musicianship during her school years in Grafton, NSW. She was a member of the Grafton Youth Orchestra and was leader of same during her senior years, as well as participating in chamber ensembles, recitals, eisteddfodeaux and performing in the high school orchestra for musical productions such as South Pacific and Bye Bye Birdie.

Upon completing her Higher School Certificate Susan moved to Sydney and gained her Bachelor of Music Education at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music assisted by a scholarship from the NSW Department of Education. She also gained accreditation as a private music teacher of violin from the NSW State Conservatorium.

Susan’s first appointment was to Griffith High School where she spent three years. As well as her teaching at school, Susan taught violin privately and enjoyed performing with Les Quarante Doigts, a recorder ensemble, and the Griffith Consort which performed mostly Baroque music. She was also a committee member of the Griffith Music Club which organized concerts by visiting artists and the Griffith Community-Based Music School which sought to provide instrumental tuition by organizing visiting tutors.

Susan was appointed to the music department at Dubbo South High School in 1987. Once again she also began private tuition, working for the Orana School of Music which was later to become the Macquarie Conservatorium. She joined the Dubbo City Orchestra, later becoming its leader, conducted the Dubbo City Junior Orchestra for a period, performed with the Macquarie Strings quartet and performed in orchestras for productions by local groups Wesley Players and the Dubbo Theatre Society (DATS).

In 1989 Susan resigned her position at Dubbo South High School and increased her private teaching in violin, piano and musicianship. She accepted the position of director of the Orana School of Music in 1990 which she held until 1995 when she resigned due to family commitments. Following a break from teaching from 2002 to 2004 while her family was very young, Susan resumed her violin teaching and currently provides group tuition in local schools and also individual tuition. Aside from her teaching commitments, Susan enjoys performing as part of a duo for weddings, dinners and various functions.