Creative Cast

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 collaboration. This discussion unpacks Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) and the importance of following Cultural protocols and seeking permissions when engaging with Aboriginal Language and story.   

Bigger than the song unit will be published on the Department’s Music 7-10 website in 2026.   

Note: Throughout this podcast terms such as First Nations or Indigenous are used. In NSW public schools, 'Aboriginal' or 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander' are preferred. 

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 Music unit, Music of our solar system. 

Biographies: 

Ella Macens is one of Australia's most celebrated young composers, drawing upon elements of her Latvian heritage and fusing these with her love of popular and classical music. Her language is rooted in a deeply evocative and sensitive musical aesthetic, for which she is becoming well-known in Australia and beyond. She has been commissioned by prominent ensembles, including the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, and has worked with various choirs and chamber groups around the world. Ella holds a Masters degree in Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium, which she completed under the guidance of Professor Matthew Hindson AM. Her accolades include the Frank Hutchens Scholarship for Composition and the Fine Music FM Young Composer Award, and in 2023 she was a finalist in the Australian Art Music Awards. Ella has participated in prestigious programs like the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Composing Women program and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Australian Composers' School. Ella is also a dedicated music educator and holds the position of Associate Lecturer in Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. 

Louise King, cellist of Muses Trio, is the Artistic Director of Cello Dreaming, where she teaches, produces concerts, and mentors young musicians. She serves as Music Director for the Southern Cross Soloists Winter Music School and tutors for the Australian and Queensland Youth Orchestras. After moving to Australia in 2003, Louise became a freelance musician, performing with a range of orchestras and chamber ensembles. She also collaborates with singer-songwriters like Katie Noonan and international artists such as Il Divo and Josh Groban and creates new works with composers, choreographers, and artists. 

Therese Milanovic is the pianist for Muses Trio and a dedicated performer, educator, and advocate for musicians’ health. After overcoming a decade of playing-related injuries through the Taubman Approach, she became Australia's first Taubman Instructor and is now its most experienced teacher. Therese promotes injury prevention and rehabilitation, offering online learning, consultations, and workshops for music educators. As a performer, she collaborates with musicians, has worked with Topology, and has performed internationally. She also focuses on chamber music, promoting lesser-known repertoire, particularly new works and compositions by women. 

Christa Powell is as comfortable in the theatre pit as she is in character wardrobe on stage, or playing choreographed violin solos for the many dance companies she collaborates with. She excels in diverse settings, from orchestras to playing with Led Zeppelin and performing solo violin in Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre. As a founding member and creative director of Topology, one of Australia’s leading creative arts organisations, she created the award-winning Top Up program. Christa is a highly respected performance artist, violinist, and session musician and when she is not playing with Topology or for theatre, she performs a wide range of contemporary chamber music, her long-held passion.

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 original devised theatre.

NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit.ly/creativeartsSWSR