Creative Cast

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Advisor John Gill is joined by Gareth Hudson to explore what it means to be a producer in the music industry. Gareth shares insights from his journey as a musician, composer, teacher, and record producer, including how he began recording music for himself and others. Gareth reflects on how these experiences and his passion for the craft ultimately led him...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Advisor John Gill is joined by Professor Philip McIntyre to explore what it means to be a manager in the music industry. Philip has had an extensive career as a songwriter, musician, record producer, video maker, and audio engineer. He currently works as a communication and media scholar in the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Advisor John Gill is joined by Chloe Gill to explore what it means to be a singer-songwriter in the music industry. Chloe is a Newcastle-based multi-instrumentalist, performer, and singer-songwriter. As an independent artist with an authentic sound, Chloe’s work is distinguished by her storytelling, evocative melodies, and compelling voice. She shares insi...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Advisor John Gill is joined by Benny McIntyre to explore what it means to be a performer in the music industry. Benny is lead singer and guitarist of Rum Jungle, a highly successful Newcastle-based four-piece indie rock band. Benny shares insights from his musical journey and experience performing within the music industry. The Backstage pass unit will be...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Advisor John Gill is joined by Anna McPherson to explore what it means to be a music journalist in the music industry. Anna McPherson is a music journalist, digital media creator, and founder of Salty Sounds Music. Through her work, Anna brings a distinct perspective on music, media and her approach to working with artists. She shares insights from her exp...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Advisor John Gill is joined by Marcus Wright to explore what it means to be a promoter in the music industry. Marcus Wright is a Newcastle-based music promoter and booking agent, and owner of the entertainment company Big Apache. Marcus shares his experience and insights from his work connecting artists with audiences and shaping live music events as a pro...

In this episode, Creative Arts curriculum advisor Alex Papasavvas speaks with teachers Anni Gifford and Miriam O’Rance from James Fallon High School, ex-student Shanaya Quinn, and Duncan Smith OAM and Jakida Smith from Wiradjuri Echoes Consultancy. Listen to a deep discussion about how the school worked with Wiradjuri Echoes to establish Maliyan Mob, a student-led Aboriginal dance group, and the C...

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Dr Aunty Jacinta Tobin who is a proud Dharug descendant of mixed heritage. In the Stage 4 unit Bigger than the Song, students will investigate Jacinta’s work with The Preatures on the song Yanada and explore the process of their coll...

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Gumbaynggirr, Yamatji and Noongar singer and songwriter, Emma Donovan to discuss her songs ‘Warrell Creek’ and ‘Mob March’ which are to be studied in the Stage 4 unit Bigger than the song. The discussion reveals the story behind the songs and...

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Dharug Knowledge Holders Jasmine Seymour and Debbie Smith from the Bayala Aboriginal Corporation.  They are actively involved in Dharug language research, curriculum development, community teaching, and the broader revitalisatio...

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Barkindji Song Woman Nancy Bates to discuss her song "I Belong: As I Walk on My Country" which is the first song to be studied in the Stage 4 unit Bigger than the song. The discussion reveals the story behind the song, and also the&n...

In this episode, designer and drama teacher, Judith Hoddinott, shares her deep knowledge and extensive experience of the plays on the text list for Individual Projects in the 2025–2027 HSC Drama Course Prescriptions, in conversation with Creative Arts advisor, Angus Lamb. 

In this episode, Tahnae Luke speaks with Sam Foster and Hayden Jones, the founders of Shock Therapy Arts, about the company's approach to devising that uses “epic values to engage, provoke, inspire, and connect”. Listen to a dynamic discussion about their process as they detail how they bring an idea from a conversation to a fully formed show.

In this episode, Creative arts advisor Alison Tenorio speaks with Sydney composer Ella Macens and Queensland-based performers Louise King, Therese Milanovic, and Christa Powell from Muses Trio. Listen to this episode to explore the perspectives of the composer and the performer through Ella's piece 'Eternity', Movement II from The Brightest Star in the Night. This episode supports the Stage 5...

In this episode, Tahnae Luke speaks with Adriane Daff, one of the core artists of The Last Great Hunt, about the company's approach to devising that aims to create “rigorous, relevant and engaging original theatre”. Listen to an insightful discussion about the collaborative processes used by their non-hierarchical company.

In this episode Creative Arts Curriculum Officer, Eleisha Taylor, speaks with Tamara Mitchell about Major study appreciation. Listen to an insightful discussion that unpacks this major study option and details approaches to teaching the content that aims to optimise student success.

In this episode, Carolyn Mattick speaks with Emily Ayoub, artistic director of Clockfire Theatre, about the company's approach to creating highly visual and physical performance works through a process of collaborative play. Listen to an insightful discussion that unlocks the devising processes (influenced by Emily's training at the Jacques Lecoq Theatre School) used by the ensemble to create orig...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Officer Eleisha Taylor speaks with Shea Atchison from Orange High School and former student Zara Dimmock from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College about the dance interview. Listen to the way Shea approaches the teaching, learning and assessment of the interview in her classroom practices and how Zara prepared for the interview throughout her HSC year and the...

In this episode, creative arts curriculum officer Helen Yip speaks with Louise Halpin from the Art Gallery of New South Wales about unlocking students' practice in visual arts. As an experienced educator and curator of the ARTEXPRESS 2022 exhibition, Louise shares her expertise and insights into how visual arts teachers can use the exhibition as a learning tool to unlock students' artmaking proces...

In this episode, Music 1 HSC Strategy Stage 6 Curriculum Advisor Alex Manton speaks with Australian composers Holly Harrison and Jessica Wells about two of their works performed by Australia's leading art music ensemble, 'Ensemble Offspring'. Also joining the discussion is the Artistic Director and percussionist of Ensemble Offspring, Claire Edwardes. Listen to an insightful discussion that unlock...

In this episode, Creative Arts Project Advisor Jackie King speaks with Lindfield Learning Village's Deputy Principals Amy Murphy and Shae Dunbar about inspiring mastery in the creative arts. Listen to an insightful discussion unpacking the assessment of mastery in the creative arts and building a culture of collaboration through trans disciplinary learning. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide...

In this episode, Creative Arts Project Advisor Jackie King speaks with Kirsty McRae from Kincumber High School on the Central Coast about assessment in dance. Listen to the way Kirsty structures her Stage 5 assessment tasks to set students up for success in writing about dance, unpacking dance works and crafting essay questions. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Officer Alex Papasavvas speaks with Tamara Lawry from Dubbo School of Distance Education and Jessica McCarthy from Mosman High School about the 2021 school year in visual arts. Listen to each guest unpack the challenges and opportunities that impacted their teaching during the statewide lockdown periods, and consider how this will shape their planning for...

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Officer Alex Manton speaks with Michael Rohanek from Ultimo TAFE, Matthew Hindson from Sydney Conservatorium and Julian Gough from the Australian Institute of Music about post school music pathways. Listen to each guest unpack the various courses on offer for music students and how the Stage 6 Music course can prepare students for further study. NSW DoE te...

In this episode, the Creative Arts Curriculum team announce the winners of the Creative Casting Call and speak to the teachers of the winning works. Listen to Erin Douglas from Winmalee High School and Aimee Rossler from Coonabarabran High School, unpack the teaching and learning strategies they used when participating in the creative casting call initiative. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewid...