“Soak up all that your teacher has to offer and make the most of performance practice and playing in ensembles”. That’s the advice from acclaimed Australian flautist and former Central Coast Conservatorium of Music student Alyse Faith, who spent 11 years at the Con.

“That’s where you can make friends and discover orchestral repertoire. It was my regular experience of playing in Central Coast Youth Orchestra which really gave me a head start at the Australian Youth Orchestra and also in university orchestral playing,” she says.

In 2012, Alyse earned the Associate in Music Diploma Australia (AMusA) in flute with Distinction, then graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) in 2017. She later went on to study for a  Master of Arts in Performance from London’s Royal Academy of Music. Alyse now plays with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as part of the MSO Academy.

“I remember when I was about seven my Mum took me to the Central Coast Conservatorium to enquire about piano lessons! I said that I’d like to learn piano but what I’d REALLY like to learn was the flute (after seeing Playschool Meets the Orchestra with Sydney Symphony Orchestra on video many times).  Lyn Brislan was an incredible teacher who taught me from day one until professional level at the age of 18.

“I played in the Youth Orchestra and also a wind quintet each Friday after school. I have fond memories of inspiring conductors Chris Bearman and later Patrick Brennan. Phillip Rees was also very encouraging and took the junior orchestra. I also grew up doing many ‘performance practices’ which helped me build confidence in performing as well as ensemble skills and did all the musicianship and theory classes on offer.

“One of the highlights of my time at the Con was the very first time I played in an ensemble. It was directed by Chris Bearman and Lyn Brislan. We were performing a production of the Truthful Elf and I must have been only 9 or 10. I’m not sure how I managed to play my bits but I remember feeling very excited to be there with all the older kids. There were a lot of wonderful string players who were a few years older than me who became a constant source of inspiration throughout my time at the Con. A lot of those players have gone on to be professional musicians today. 

“I come across Con alumni in the music profession quite often which really shows how much of an impact the Con made on many students during my era there.

“The teachers and peers at the Con were a consistent influence on my childhood and teenage years. The Con has really formed who I am and was the source of my discovery and learning in music. It was where I found how joyous and magical music could be and it was a place which allowed me the freedom and curiosity in learning that one has as a child. I try to hold onto that feeling now that I work as a musician as an adult. 

“I would say to young students starting to learn at CCCM to really embrace everything and soak up all that your teacher has to offer. Also to really make the most of playing in the ensembles as that’s where you can make friends and discover orchestral repertoire. It was my regular experience of playing in Central Coast Youth Orchestra which really gave me a head start at the Australian Youth Orchestra and also in university orchestral playing.”