Burdekin Junior Eisteddfod 2008

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The 25th Anniversary Junior Eisteddfod

MUSIC

Nerida Eckert  B.Mus.(Hons); P.G.Dip.Ed; L.Mus.A.

Nerida has a Bachelor of Music with Honours (Performance) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from The University of Queensland. She has a Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.A) from the A.M.E.B. and was the winner of the University of Queensland Wind and Brass Performance Prize in 1992. Nerida was a member of the Australian and Queensland Youth Orchestra Organisations on Clarinet. Nerida has played Piano from age 8 and is currently one of the accompanists for the Toowoomba Choral Society. She also accompanies students for Eisteddfodau, Concerts and Exams. Nerida has played woodwind, brass and percussion instruments in professional and amateur orchestras, bands and ensembles. She has been involved with many Adult and Children's Musicals as Director, Musical Director, Choreographer, Singer, Dancer and Musician. Nerida is a member of the Toowoomba Choral Society Adult Choir, Contemporary Choral Group and the Westside Singers.

 Nerida is in her 19th year of teaching music in schools and has taught Classroom Music from Prep to Year 12. She has experience conducting Primary and Secondary Concert Bands, Stage Bands, Orchestras, Instrumental Ensembles, Choirs and Vocal Ensembles. She has also taught private students on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments and piano, ranging from beginners to Diploma students. Nerida is currently in her 10th year as the Director of Performing Arts at The Toowoomba Preparatory School. Nerida has been on the Management Committee of the City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod for 10 Years and was also on the Management Committee of the Queensland Eisteddfod in 2007. She also taught music in the Burdekin District for 5 years from 1994-1998.

SPEECH & DRAMA

Brian Emerson BA (Drama)

Brian has a long relationship with children’s theatre and theatre in education. He graduated as a stage director from Queensland University of Technology after completing a BA (Drama) degree in 1992. Brian has spent over 12 years as the Musical Director of the Fame Theatre Company in Brisbane, which is Australia’s largest privately, owned and operated Theatre Company and training school for young performers.  Brian has worked across many forms of entertainment ranging from Opera, as Assistant Director for Don Giovanni with Opera Queensland to Pop Music as the vocal coach for The Veronicas on their 2006 and 2007 Australian Tours. This will be a happy return to Ayr for Brian as he has fond memories of touring through North Queensland with the Fame Theatre Company.

HIGHLAND

Triscia Riding

Triscia commenced dancing at the age of 7 and has competed around Australia as well as in Scotland and England.  She commenced Teaching at the age of 16, examining at the age of 20 and adjudicating at the age of 21.  Triscia is on the Worldwide panel of Judges which enables her to adjudicate in any country and also currently teaches approximately 40 students on the Northside of Brisbane.  Ms Ridings students are of an extremely high standard and have won various Championships throughout Australia. 

Triscia is the Technical Secretary for the South Queensland Regional Committee and in this capacity runs Technical Seminars, Judging Seminars and Championship Step Lectures.  She also travels to  Australian Board meetings twice a year to meet with other State and Region representatives to discuss various aspects of Highland Dancing.  Triscia is also the Technical Advisor for the Queensland Scottish Dancing Association Examining Board and organises Teacher Progression Forums which help young and aspiring Teachers, Adjudicators and Examiners to develop their confidence and provide a non threatening atmosphere for them to ask questions and develop their knowledge and skills through practical means.  Triscia has adjudicated throughout Australia and has also taught at various workshops across the country.  Triscia currently has a highland student in Dubai and another student who lives in Korea, which she teaches via webcam and internet conferencing.

LITERARY ADJUDICATOR

Elisa Rigano B.Ed

Elisa’s relationship with the Burdekin Junior Eisteddfod began in 1982 when she won first prize for her piano solo, “The Sad Little Chicken”.  Although her early experience with the Eisteddfod was through music, Elisa has branched out into the speech and drama field and coached many students to eisteddfod success in her capacity as a speech and drama teacher at Apps Speech and Drama Studios.

Elisa is the Curriculum Co-Ordinator of English and Social Sciences at Burdekin Catholic High School and is a member of the Townsville District Senior English Review Panel.  For Burdekin Catholic High School Elisa has directed the musicals Bats (1998), The Three Musketeers (2003) and the highly successful Disney’s High School Musical (2007).  She has also directed Burdekin Catholic High School’s annual Inter-School Drama Festival entries for a number of years.

As a writer Elisa wrote the Olympic Torch Relay Concert (2000) and the Centenary of Federation Concert (2001) for the Burdekin Shire Council, and Burdekin Singers’ 2006 theatre restaurant.

IRISH ADJUDICATOR

Cherie Hearn

DANCE ADJUDICATOR

Chontelle Morrison L.G.T.D.A, R.A.D, BA (Dance)

Chontelle is currently on the judging panel for the Junior MO awards with Frank Ifield and Tommy Tycho.  She has adjudicated recently in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne as well as Sydney and country NSW.   Throughout her dance career Chontelle has won numerous accolades, championships and scholarships, some of these include Star Quest Grand Final Winner, Winner of the Fred Astaire Performing Arts Competition (USA) whilst it was her in Australia and a scholarship chosen by Dein Perry from The Tap Dogs.

Chontelle is a guest teacher at studios in Sydney as well as throughout the Central Coast of NSW and often conducts workshops for students.  Chontelle also has appeared throughout various shows in the television industry.