What’s your connection to the Border?
I moved to the region from Sydney a little over 15 years ago. I didn't know anyone but through local theatre productions, I have made really strong friendships. I now have great links to the local theatre and performance community.
What’s your singing/performing background?
I have been singing for most of my adult life, performing in local theatre productions and for events, and more recently, forming the all-female quartet Nothin' But Treble, performing songs by the old girl groups from the Andrews Sisters to The Supremes and just about everything in between! I work with some local schools on their productions and also teach singing privately. I recently took on the position of Choir Leader at Catholic College Wodonga. I am so happy to be part of the push to get performance and the arts back up and running in schools and to give kids the gift of music and performance whichever way they would like to pursue it.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
I love seeing and hearing the joy that singing brings to people. I always think there should be more singing but when I heard about this idea I thought: "Yes, finally someone is doing this - the dancers can't always have the fun!" Having more recently learned the extent of the support that Country Hope offers to children and their families, I had to be involved and do my bit to help in whichever way I can. I already know that beyond this project, that I will in some way, continue to support Country Hope and their amazing work.
What’s a quote that inspires you?
“Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Plato
What’s your connection to the Border?
I am a born and bred on the Border!
What’s your singing/performing background?
Music has always been in my blood. From a very young age I have enjoyed music and singing. I played with Albury City Band during my teenage years, moved to Queensland later on and found my love for live rock music. Moved back to Albury and have been gigging ever since - currently solo & duo building my own brand in AllieMusik, and with Dogs N Dynamite as their lead singer.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
It's local, it helps local families and it's run by people that know first-hand what these families go through and their daily struggles. And I get to mentor an amazing person in Grace.
What’s a quote that inspires you?
“For as He thinks, so is He.” Prov 23:7
A challenge to keep our thoughts in check in every moment, every day.
What’s your connection to the Border?
I was born and bred on the Border, in the hallway of the overcrowded Mercy Hospital - actually that might have been my sister - maybe I had a room but I don’t remember. I have spent extended stints abroad and on the road in Australia but I have always considered the Border home.
What’s your singing/performing background?
It started right up in the background of Mrs Davis’ secondary school choir and morphed into 30 years of trying to be successful in the foreground.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
Supporting cancer-related cures and management has been a constant. It started with being present at my grandfather Herb Freyer’s death when I was 17 and has been re-enforced by many friends and family who have lost their battles since.
What’s a quote that inspires you?
“To those who have struggled with them, the mountains reveal beauties they will not disclose to those who make no effort.” Sir Francis Youngblood.
It means “reward for effort”. Pull your finger out and have a go!
What’s your connection to the Border?
Born in Wodonga, I grew up at Ballarat, but have lived on the Border for 30 years. My family are from Wodonga, my great grandfather George Lynch, being well known and associated with the Wodonga Rail History. My family are also well known performers on the Border , including my grandmother Pauline Glover/Hore and my mother Liz Hill/Kolisnyk.
What’s your singing/performing background?
I was raised in a performance family, all singers, musicians and even ventriloquists! Singing is just part of our family life. I started singing at a young age, performing around town in anything and everything. As a teenager, I started singing with rock and Top 40 bands as well as theatre, and in my 20s I was performing in theatre shows and also with funk and jazz groups and doing a lot of corporate gigs. For the past 20 years I have become heavily involved in the local musical theatre scene as a choral/vocal director and also performed on stage in many of their shows. Some of my better known on stage roles have been Mary Magdelene in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lady of The Lady in Spamalot, Fantine in Les Misérables and Grizabellea in Cats. Some of other roles have included music director for various BYTESized productions, like Peter Pan, Beauty and The Beast and Xanadu. I was regional director for the Millennium Chorus Melbourne, choral director for the Livid Gospel and the Little Livid's Choir, choral director for the Contemporary Choir NEVR Music Camp and more recently a guest conductor for the Murray Concert Choir in Albury. I am also a founding member for the local performing arts academy Border Show Business Academy, where I specialise in voice and musical theatre. During the week, I work as a vocal teacher for Wodonga Senior and Wodonga Middle Years Colleges (across all three campuses).
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
Having close friends and family who have had young children needing support due to illness, being able to give back something to help support this cause was something that I wanted to do. I am proud to volunteer my time and expertise for such a great charity.
What’s a quote that inspires you?
“Those who wish to sing, always find a song.” Swedish Proverb
What’s your connection to the Border?
Living in Albury-Wodonga is pretty special I have to admit. I love this region! My partner and I live and work in Albury-Wodonga and enjoy all it has to offer from its restaurants, bars and entertainment to the amazing bush walks that are in our backyard. I have taught performing arts in the Border region for too many years to admit, from HotHouse Theatre to local primary schools.
What’s your singing/performing background?
Music has always been a big part of my world. I sang in lots of local bands and love having the chance to work with musicians in the Albury-Wodonga area. Having dabbled in musical theatre; a highlight was performing in Albury Wodonga Theatre Company's Mamma Mia, playing the role of Donna.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
To be part of a music experience that impacts positively on the lives of children and their parents in this region was my strongest motivation. Being involved in a project with passion for raising much-needed funds is extraordinary! What a great way to work with like-minded locals too!!
What’s a quote that inspires you?
“I used to think that anyone doing anything weird was weird. I suddenly realized that anyone doing anything weird wasn't weird at all and it was the people saying they were weird that were weird.” - Paul McCartney
What’s your connection to the Border?
I found my home among many wonderful people on the Border. To connect with other creative, talented and musical people has been pure joy. With these friends I have explored the wonder that is the stage and for me that feels like home.
What’s your singing/performing background?
I grew up singing in a church band through my teens. It wasn't until 33 that I discovered the theatre. Since then, I have been incredibly privileged to perform in lead roles for Cats, Mamma Mia, Phantom of The Opera and Jersey Boys. In the past 12 months, I have been exploring performing as a career in restaurants, bars and venues as well as collaborating with other local musicians such as the Moodemere Quartet.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
Everyone has something that they love; that they are passionate about. I feel most at home, most free when I am immersed in music. My primary motivation is to encourage others to try something they enjoy. To experience the thrill that is discovering themselves and the beauty they can bring to the world around them. On Key 4 Kids does this in two ways. Not only do the contestants explore their passions, the purpose of this competition is to raise funds so families that are affected by cancer are supported. They have the opportunity to experience the beauty in their world through even the darkest of clouds.
What’s a quote that inspires you?
“Perhaps it is how we are made; perhaps words of truth reach us best through the heart, and stories and songs are the language of the heart.” - Stephen Lawhead, Merlin (The Pendragon Cycle).
What’s your connection to the Border?
I was born in Leeton but raised in Albury-Wodonga; a wonderful place to start out in music! I never forget the people who gave me an opportunity to learn including Father Peter at St Matthew's Church, Murray Conservatorium, our many theatre groups and Murray Concert Choir. I was very lucky!
What’s your singing/performance background?
I started taking singing more seriously as a teenager, having spent most of my time in cricket and hockey until that point. I progressed to studying classical voice alongside my politics/economics degree in Canberra, performing with the company now known as National Opera, and with the wonderful Opera Scholars Australia in Beechworth and Melbourne. I've since branched out to other styles including a few swing sets, a little bit of pop writing as a hobby, even helping create an (ill-fated) children's production at Bondi Beach!
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
Country Hope have made immense efforts in assisting our local families at their time of need. I can only credit their enormous energy, commitment and resourcefulness. Once I knew that Father Peter was getting involved this year, I was also eager to make what personal effort I could to support him given his ongoing advocacy and investment in our community on multiple fronts.
What was the first album you ever bought?
The first album I remember buying was Cosmic Thing by B-52s. I actually don't know why - maybe the name? Kate Pierson's voice does have a striking quality!
What’s your connection to the Border?
I moved to the Border in 2021 and I'm a teacher at a local high school. This is my partner's home town.
What’s your singing/performance background?
I am a singing teacher at Border Show Business Academy and do private lessons as well. I am also a vocal director. I love being involved in theatre, on and off the stage and have performed locally and across Victoria. I am a member of the local vocal quartet Nothin' But Treble.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
Being involved with On Key 4 Kids is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community and raise funds and awareness for families and children faced with cancer. After attending several of the On Key 4 Kids events, I feel honoured to be able to contribute to such a impactful organisation.
What was the first album you ever bought?
Being a teeny-bopper of the 90s, the first album I bought was "Make It Come True" by Girlfriend. Please don't judge me!
What’s your connection to the Border?
I met my husband on Tinder and all of his family live here so the deal was we would get married if I packed up the kids and moved to Albury, so we did and we love it!
What’s your singing/performance background?
I have been teaching and performing most of my life in musical theatre and opera, as a professional jazz singer and as a soloist at many events including Wodonga Carols by Candlelight last year. Most recently I performed as Genie in Albury Wodonga Theatre Company’s production of Beautiful.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
I am passionate about raising funds for County Hope to help children with cancer, as I am dealing with cancer every day as manager of Riverwood Retirement Village. I see how hard it is for elderly people to go through their treatments and cannot imagine how much more difficult it would be for a young child.
What was the first album you ever bought?
Self-titled album Whitney Houston.
What’s your connection to the Border?
Connection to the border
What’s your singing/performance background?
Performance Background
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
Motivation
What was the first album you ever bought?
The first album I ever bought was Kiss Alive.
What’s your connection to the Border?
My family is from Albury-Wodonga; my dad Bruce Lynch being a local performer in the area and my grandmother Margaret on the theatre stages. My husband and I run a ballroom dance studio, Albury Wodonga Dance Studios, and we love being part of the community, with my husband celebrating 100 debutante balls as a dance trainer this year.
What’s your singing/performing background?
I have been a singing teacher for 20 years on the Border and have just opened my principle studio, Pink Flamingo Studios. I love teaching to inspire our young performers, as I firmly believe everybody can sing; you just have to find your voice. I have been performing with bands over the years and more recently the group, Nothin but Treble, as well as on stage in musicals as a vocal director. My most recent was We Will Rock You with Centre Stage Event Company, in the role of Killer Queen.
What’s your motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids?
My motivation for joining On Key 4 Kids is to raise awareness for the services available to local families who are going through these illnesses; to support them and raise as much as we can for the kids and families.
What’s a quote that inspires you?
“The only thing better than singing is more singing.” Ella Fitzgerald
Country Hope is an incredible organisation that provides vital support to families facing the challenges of having a child with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
I am fundraising for Country Hope through On Key 4 Kids to ensure that these families have access to much-needed resources and assistance during such a difficult time.
Your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most, bringing hope and light into their lives. Thank you for supporting this important cause and making a positive impact in your community!
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