Sydney Children’s Choir
Artistic Team Biographies 2014
Sam Allchurch Conductor, Young Men's Choir
Sam Allchurch pursues a wide-ranging career in choral music as a conductor, organist and
researcher. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and a Diploma in Language (German)
from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Music in Choral Studies at Cambridge
University, for which he was awarded a full scholarship from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation. While in Melbourne, Sam held choral and organ scholarships at Trinity College
and Christ Church South Yarra and founded the Cecilian Voices in 2011, whose concerts
raised funds for medical charities. In Cambridge, Sam studied with Stephen Layton and
Geoffrey Webber and was Assistant Organist at Little Saint Mary's Church. His research
focuses on relationship between music and text in large-scale choral works of the early
twentieth century.
Sam was the Assistant Conductor for the Sydney Children's Choir's tours to China (2010)
and Europe (2013). He regularly assists Lyn Williams in preparing choirs for performances
with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, most recently for the premiere of Paul
Stanhope's Jandamarra.
Erica Byrne, Conductor
Erica completed a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Western Australian Academy of
Performing Arts and holds a Diploma of Education from the University of New South Wales,
majoring in Drama. Erica has taught in numerous primary and secondary schools and has
previously conducted for the Australian Girls Choir. As a performer, Erica has worked with
Echelon Theatre Company, Holland America Cruise Line, has appeared in the TV series All
Saints and has been a member of the acclaimed gospel choir, Café of the Gate of
Salvation. Erica is also the proud manager of the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's
Choir.
Amandine Petit, Conductor, Sight Singing Tutor & Vocal Coach
French-born Amandine Petit completed a Master's degree in musicology at the Universität
Marc Bloch and a Bachelor of Performance in voice at the Conservatoire of Strasbourg
before moving to Australia in early 2007. In France she has had several years of experience
as a vocal coach, musicianship teacher and choral conductor. As a performer, she has been
a regular member of the Chamber Choir of Strasbourg, touring with the group to Senegal,
Germany and Switzerland. Her specialization in both early and contemporary music led her
to co-create the all-female vocal quartet Sotto Voce in 2003. In the same year she also
represented France as the anthem singer for the Rugby World Cup. Other performance
highlights include Berlioz's Les Troyens at Opera du Rhin, L'Amour de Loin by Saariaho in
Lebanon and various film and television score recordings. Since arriving in Sydney
Amandine has sung with Sydney Chamber Choir, Cantillation, The Parsons Affayre and
Eminence Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a singing teacher at SCEGGS Darlinghurst
and International Grammar School and the conductor of the French Australian Voices of
Sydney.
Nicole Thomson, Conductor
Nicole Thomson has had a professional singing career for over 15 years. She is also a gifted
educator, travelling as a music specialist for Musica Viva NSW and Big Scope where she
provides training and implementation to music teachers throughout the country. Nicole has
recently returned from a choral and singing tour, combining workshops, rehearsals and
performances for ensemble and solo singing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 2013, Nicole
commenced her appointment as Head of Voice at the Central Queensland Conservatorium
of Music, where she commutes from Sydney each week to tutor Music Theatre students.
Nicole conducts the Mini 2's and Jarman Choirs with Sydney Children's Choir.
Elizabeth Vierboom, Conductor
Elizabeth Vierboom studied music at the NSW Conservatorium of Music and the University
of Sydney majoring in the violin and pipe organ. Having played and toured with the
Australian Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Elizabeth then turned to
teaching high school and primary music and further developing her interest in choral music.
This dates back to her high school choir conductor, Richard Gill, whose energy and love of
singing was infectious.
She has long championed the performance of Australian choral music and has been
responsible for the commissioning of many new works for young choirs by emerging and
established Australian composers. As an educator, Elizabeth Vierboom is recognised for the
enthusiasm she kindles in young musicians and the passion she arouses in students to
develop their skills, critical thinking and musicality. Elizabeth Vierboom is a much soughtafter presenter at in-services and educational conferences locally and internationally. She
enjoys the status of 'Accomplished Teacher' with the NSW Institute of Teachers. Her
previous appointments include Barker College and, most recently, Abbotsleigh.
Sally Whitwell, Pianist
Sally Whitwell maintains a busy and richly varied career as pianist, composer, arranger and
conductor. Sally's debut solo album Mad Rush (Solo Piano Music of Philip Glass) won the
2011 ARIA Award for Best Classical Album. Her sophomore recording The Good, the Bad
and the Awkward was nominated in 2012. In May 2013, she will record her third album All
Imperfect Things featuring the film music of British composer Michael Nyman. Recent
performances include the Complete Piano Etudes of Philip Glass for Perth International Arts
Festival 2013, a recital performed with Philip Glass and Maki Namekawa. Sally's very
personal show Once Upon a Time:Ten Tiny Dancers, a mix of piano recital and cabaret,
recently premiered in March 2013 at The Famous Spiegeltent.
Sally is known for devising special text-driven, semi-theatrical pieces for choirs, most
recently for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Beatles Unplugged. She is currently creating
another for Sydney choir Bel Acappella celebrating Benjamin Britten's 100th by
recontextualising his work within a series of British pop songs.
Currently, Sally is working on several compositions for young people, including an HSC level
flute and piano work for Fluteworthy and a new choral/theatre piece for St Ursula's College
Toowoomba. Sally works to inspire others' musical creativity, including delivering
improvisation based composition workshops and co-composing with young people.