Sue Carson Resume
Name: Susan Carson
Email:
info@suecarson.com.au
Susan.Carson@newcastle.edu.au
Qualifications

Master of Philosophy (Music) at Newcastle University (in progress)

L.Mus.A in Singing, 2010

Vocal Seminar, Renee-Grant Williams (Nashville teacher), 2008
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Estill Voice Training Certificate Course, 2007

Advanced Singers Mastercourse, The Ronald Dowd Summer School for Singers, Sydney, with
tutors Victor Morris, Christa Leahmann and Geoffrey Chard, 2000

Classical singing tuition, Irene Waugh, 1989–2000

Classical tuition, Victor Morris and Gerald Martin-Moore in London through Doris Smith
Scholarship, 1998–1999

Early Childhood Music Teaching Course, Newcastle University Conservatorium, 1996

Bachelor of Arts French/Drama double major, Newcastle University, 1992

Bathurst Summer School for Singers, 1992

8th Grade Violin, 1987
Teaching

Associate Lecturer of Voice, Newcastle University, 2009–present

Teacher of Conservatorium community students, Newcastle University, 2004–present

Manages and conducts small ensembles, teaches group voice techniques classes and
improvisation, and lectures in popular music performance, current

Leads group workshops and masterclasses, and coordinates showcase concerts privately and
at Conservatorium, 2004–present

Teaches singing and performance skills at local high schools and privately, 1996–present

Led contemporary vocal group at Kia-Ora Music Camp, Scone, 2007 and 2008

Tutor in drama, Worimi Youth Detention Centre, 1991

Tutor in singing, violin and acting, Noyes Fluude Children’s Opera Workshop, 1989
Research

Teaching multiple genres of voice: an investigation of current practice in Australian tertiary
music education, current Masters research project
Performance

Backing vocals, violin, mandolin with Toyota Starmaker 2012 winner Bob Corbett and the Roo
Grass Band, touring at folk and country festivals including National Folk Festival, Gympie
Muster, Blue Mountains Folk Festival, Urban Country Music Festival, Dorrigo Folk Festival and
Tamworth Country Music Festival, 2009–present

Lead vocals, violin, mandolin and guitar in duo SMS (The Sue and Mikey Show, since 2000)
and trio Love That Hat (reformed 2006) at venues and functions across NSW

Classical singing recitals with Ross Fiddes (pianist) in Newcastle and state venues and
festivals, 2008–2009

Cunegonde in Newcastle Festival Opera’s concert production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide,
2011

Mrs Peachum in Newcastle Festival Opera’s production of Weill’s Threepenny Opera, Civic
Playhouse, Newcastle, 2010

Soloist in Carmina Burana with Newcastle University Choir, University of Newcastle Great
Hall, 2010

Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute for Newcastle Festival Opera at Newcastle
Conservatorium 2009

Featured soloist (vocal) with Newcastle University Choir Pure Nostalgia concert and Handel’s
Messiah, 2009

Vocalist in premiere performance of Richard Vella’s Ontology concert, The Powerhouse,
Brisbane, 2008

Eileen in Bernstein’s Wonderful Town at Newcastle Conservatorium, 2008

Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte for Newcastle Festival Opera, 2006

Susanna in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro for Opera Hunter, 2004
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Guest soloist in concerts for Hunter Region based choirs

Debut performance of original trio VIAPOP Civic Theatre, ABC Music Awards 2003

Lucy in Threepenny Opera, Newcastle Conservatorium, 2003

Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd for Opera Hunter, 2003

Heloise in the premiere of Abelard and Heloise, an opera by Novocastrian composer Ross
Fiddes and librettist Paul Kavanagh, 2002

Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus for Opera Hunter, 2000

Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute for Opera Hunter, 2000

Soloist (vocals, guitar, mandolin, violin) in SMS and in Celtic rock band Killkenny at venues
and functions from Sydney to Port Macquarie, 1999–2003

Actor in Don't Tell Anyone and Silences for Freewheels Theatre in Education Company ,
touring NSW schools, 1998–1999

Lead vocalist, violinist and mandolin player with popular music trio Love That Hat, 1996–1999

Desiree in Spite for Freewheels Theatre in Education Company, 1997

Maria, in Abelard and Heloise, concert version, 1997

Beatrice in The Venetian Twins by Terence Clark and Nick Enright for Hunter Valley Theatre
Company, 1996

Poppaea in The Coronation of Poppaea for Opera Hunter at Newcastle Conservatorium, 1996

Lead singer and instrumentalist, Reel Sligo (formerly Sligo Maid) folk rock band, 1991–1996

Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for Opera Hunter at Civic Theatre

Lead vocalist and instrumentalist with pop duo Melody Refugees performing mainly at NSW
university campuses, 1994

Violinist and vocalist, Newcastle Community Opera, 1994

Lead singer and instrumentalist with concept band The Frendlies, 1994

Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel for Opera Hunter, 1993

Extensive freelance work with associated musicians including bands, ensembles, orchestras
and minstrelling in Sydney and the Hunter Region, 1993

First violinist with Novocastrian Arts Orchestra, 1991–1993

Chorus member, Pirates of Penzance for Gilbert & Sullivan Players, 1990

Singer in The Unicorn, Gorgon and Manitcore and violinist in A Hand of Bridge for Newcastle
University Drama Department and Sound Construction Company, 1990

Gretel in Hansel and Gretel for Opera Hunter, 1989

Chorus member, La Traviata for Opera Hunter, 1989

Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Newcastle High School, 1987

Mercedes in excerpts from Carmen at Newcastle High School, 1986

Barmaid in Call Me Madam at Newcastle High School, 1985

Chorus member, The Mikado at Newcastle High School, 1984

Member of school orchestras as violinist, bands as trombonist, ensembles as guitarist and
choirs since primary school level
Recordings

Violin and vocals, Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band, fourth album, current

Violin and vocals, Bob Corbett’s album, Every Day is a Festival, 2010

Session musician for local and national artists, most recently Jess Holland and Steve
Edmonds, 2014

Jingle writing and session musician (lead vocals) on Mothers’ Day Breast Cancer Awareness,
Cactus Creative ad campaign, 2012

Jingle writing and session musician (lead vocals, ukulele) on PS I Love You, Port Stephens
Cactus Creative ad campaign, 2011

Violin and vocals, Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band album Lucky Country, 2010

Violin and vocals, Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band album Silver Lining, 2009

Songwriting, lead vocals and violin and on 7 Years album, 2009

Session musician (violin) for Brian Cain’s album Indiana Phoenix, 2009

Session musician (violin) for Justin Ngariki recordings

Session musician (violin) for Loonatic Fringe recordings

Debut solo album Coming to Get You, 2004

Session singer and voice-overs for Newcastle based advertising companies and media
including One80 Digital Post, Peach Advertising and REM, 2004–2009

Live classical concert recordings of selected soprano arias and songs, 1998–present

Reel Sligo CD/interactive CD-rom The Road to Sligo, 1996

Sligo Maid debut album Lass, 1993

Violin in original string trio for Newcastle University Drama Department production Too
Young for Ghosts, 1993

Violin and vocals on radio jingles for Prime TV and Peach Advertising, 1992

Violin and vocals on soundtrack, A Property of the Clan (now Blackrock) by Nick Enright, 1992
Achievements and Awards

4 Golden Guitar nominations for Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band, Tamworth Country
Music Festival CMA Awards, 2012 and 2013

Television airplay on Country Music Channel of Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band songs
Mandolin and Lucky Country, 2011–2012

Extensive airplay and top 10 charts on national country radio stations of Bob Corbett and the
Roo Grass Band album repertoire 2011–2012 including Glory Days and Lucky Country

3 nominations in the Victorian and National Country Music Awards for Bob Corbett and the
Roo Grass Band songs, 2012

Good Thing nominated for best song in the country category and Khalida for the best rock
song, ABC Newcastle Music Awards, 2005

Quicksand nominated for best song in the soft rock category, ABC Newcastle Music Awards,
2004

Winner, Best Female Vocalist, ABC Newcastle Music Awards, 2003

Winner, Lake Macquarie Music Society Eisteddfod Open Aria Competition, 1998

Winner, Doris Smith Scholarship from Newcastle University Conservatorium for advanced
vocal study overseas, 1996

CONDA nomination for Best Actress in The Venetian Twins, Hunter Valley Theatre Company,
1996

Winner, Hudson Stage and Screen Prize at Lake Macquarie Music Society Eisteddfod, 1996

Member of Australasian Bush Band Champions Sligo Maid at Tamworth Country Music
Festival, 1994 and 1995

Winner, Weekend For Singers vocal competition Newcastle Conservatorium, 1994

Best Instrumentalist and member of Best Country/Bush band at Newcastle Star and
Commonwealth Bank Professional Music Awards, 1993

Eisteddfod prizes including first place in the Open, Intermediate Aria and under 25’s Vocal
Scholarship, Newcastle Eisteddfod

Newcastle Conservatorium Violin Scholarships, 1987 and 1988

Winner, High School NBN Performing Arts Prize, 1985 and 1986
Repertoire

Popular songs from 1960s to present in rock, folk, jazz, country, bluegrass and alternative
styles

Lyric coloratura operatic arias mainly from the renaissance, classical, romantic and twentieth
century periods

Selected oratorio

Bach and Mozart cantatas

Solos from modern stage musicals through to traditional operetta

Art songs (including twentieth century) of Poulenc, Duparc, Faure, Satie, Quilter, Walton,
Mackenzie, Gounod, Donizetti, Paisiello, Hahn, Martini, Menotti

Lieder by Wolf, Strauss, Schubert and Brahms

Original compositions
Computer skills
Proficiency in and frequent use of:

Microsoft suite of office software
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Mozilla Firefox
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Groupwise Email
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Blackboard
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Adobe Photoshop
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Adobe Illustrator
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Sibelius
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Finale

Cubase 4 LE
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Wavelab
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Garage Band