Spotlight on the Arts

Five exemplary HSC candidates from various Sydney Catholic Schools respond to the interview question about their work. The dancers will also chat about their process and how they prepared for the practical examinations sharing some insights to help dance students to be HSC Dance ready.

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John Burland is an educator, speaker, and composer from Sydney, Australia who has been writing and recording religious music for children, youth, and adults for over 20 years. 

During this time, he has written and recorded over 250 songs and published 15 music collections which are used extensively in school/parish communities across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. In 2008, two of his liturgical compositions, Come O Holy Spirit and Lord By Your Cross were included in the official World Youth Day liturgies in Sydney, Australia.

John is a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop leader and published author in the area of music and catechesis. For the past twenty years John has been working in Catholic schools throughout the Sydney Archdiocese as a Classroom Teacher, Religious Education Coordinator, and Assistant Principal.

John is currently the Education Officer: Liturgy/ Music for Sydney Catholic Schools, Australia, where he facilitates workshops, Family Faith Celebrations and reflection days for children, teachers, families, and parish communities. He is also a keynote speaker, composer, and the National Music Consultant for Bayard Inc, in North America.

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Nick O’Regan is a Sydney based artist who works as a writer, actor and puppeteer specialising in masked performance and physical comedy. 

He completed a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts then went on to pursue his interests in physical archetypes and masked performance studying Commedia dell’ Arte in Reggio Emilia Italy, under Commedia’s Guru Antonio Fava. Time spent working with Chiara Guidi from Societas Raffaello Sanzio in her errant method, and delving into the satirical world of Buffon with Giovanni Fusetti have directed Nick’s creative explorations to push both his body, writing & examination of culture to the limits.

A tour of Commedia performance throughout Europe provided experiences where Nick developed a deep passion for visual storytelling and creating narratives that transcend verbal language.  This interest was explored further through the medium of puppetry working with Matriark Theatre, Gary Friedman, Erth and Dead Puppet Society. 

Nick has recently been enjoying working with Erth, on VIVID,  Milk Crate Theatre and writing scripts for theatre & kids television. 

Nick is also a founding member of I Naufraghi Teatro I and Matriark Theatre, and Secondary English and Drama teacher!

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Jessica Newey is an exemplary music teacher currently working across a number of primary schools and is a valued member of the CaSPA team sharing her expertise in working with the student’s vocal program. She is also an industry professional working as a performer not only as a talented soloist but also as the front line singer for a variety of successful bands.  

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Hilton Denis has been performing since a young age and is a versatile and respected dancer both nationally and internationally. He has been a member of the Sydney Catholic Schools CaSPA family for a couple of years now as an empowering role model for Boys Arts Enrichment. 

Studying many styles of dance at Brent Street Studios and through the Talent Development High School including Jazz, Tap, funk, classical, hip hop, acrobatics, singing and acting.

Hilton's professional career began early after he appeared in tele-movies and musicals such as Show Boat and Oliver.

Best known for his appearance on the premiere series of So You Think You Can Dance in the Top 20. Other television credits include Farscape, Australia's Next Top Model finale, MTV Video Music Awards, and The Helpmann Awards.

Hilton has worked with many of Australia's leading Choreographers with stage credits including Le Grand Cirque and the Australian tour of West Side Story in 2010. As a Dancer, he has appeared in various film clips, TV and live performances. Artist credits include Flight Facilities, Jessica Mauboy, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Timomatic, Skryptcha, Lily Allen, Wynter Gordon, Fergie, Adam Lambert, Australia got talent, MTV awards and X factor.

Hilton is currently travelling the world with the theatrical modern circus show "LIMBO", “LIMBO UNHINGED”, “LIFE THE SHOW”.

Hilton is also a breakthrough, passionate choreographer/director and has produced his own innovative stage shows called "Virada".

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Philippe-Marc Anquetil is a renowned Australian singer, song-writer, vocal arranger and producer and mixing engineer who has forged an international career working for artists such as One Direction, LittleMix and Jessie J and more locally has written and produced for Justice Crew, Alexa and Bella (The Voice Kids),  Paulini and most recently Ruel.

Philippe-Marc has accrued hundreds of top releases to his name and his success and experience in an ever-changing industry enables him to rank as a leading mentor and teacher for developing talent. 

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Graeme Haddon is an Australian producer, company manager and puppet creative.
After school Graeme studied Technical Production at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and then spent several years in Stage Management for major theatre shows around the country including Phantom of the Opera, 42nd Street and Saturday Night Fever to name a few. 

His career in the Arts began at the theme park Australia’s Wonderland, first as a character suit performer and then puppeteer. 

In 1998, Graeme received the Mike Walsh Fellowship, which allowed him to study puppetry in the USA. On return, he was part of the puppetry team working on Farscape, a science fiction television series produced by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Graeme has puppeteered with the touring arena show Walking with Dinosaurs. He has directed the puppet portions of The Wiggles Movie and was puppetry director for Legoland in Malaysia.

His design appears for the original children’s entertainment show Hi5, as well as Jay’s Jungle and New McDonald’s Farm. Other designs include work for Grayboy Entertainment’s shows on cruise ships.

As a Company Manager, Graeme worked on several tours including Ghost, the Musical and KING KONG. 

As a Producer he has been engaged for cultural events Melbourne’s, White Night and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and most recently he was the Producer for Opera Australia’s relaunching of Bran Nue Dae to the stage at Parramatta Riverside 

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One of CaSPA's original Artistic Directors, Karen Johnson Mortimer shines the spotlight on stage where we chat about her roles as director | associate director | resident director and the inspirational mentors who have helped shape her successful career as choreographer and performer.
Karen's extensive career includes roles as a creative or performer on stage, screen and in stadiums. Numerous performances on stage and screen have been the tapestry of her long career in show biz.

• Chicago [ 2009 and 2019/20 ]
• My Fair Lady enjoying the great honour of working with Dame Julie Andrews as her Associate Director 
• Saturday Night Fever
• Wizard of Oz 
• Dirty Dancing
• Wicked
• Annie
• Grease the Arena Spectacular
• Anything Goes
• No No Nanette
• A Chorus Line
• Kiss Me Kate
• Irene
• Cabaret
• Footloose
• Sydney 2000 Olympics
• Anzac Military Tattoo
• Numerous Opening Ceremonies

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James Long

Has over 30 years in music education, and is well and truly a veteran of the arts.

As well as decades in the classroom, his educational research includes a Masters in Music Technology completed at the beginning of the millennium and more recently studying online at the Berkley Music School in Boston, in the US of A where further strings to his bow include, Orchestra 101 and 102 and Music for Film and Television.

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