VOCAL
Vocal Teachers
MELISSA LARK
Musicianship Teacher, Vocal Teacher, CMP Teacher
Melissa studied Kodaly at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, later obtaining her accreditation with the NSW Chapter of KMEIA (Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia). Melissa also studied ‘Eurythmics’ – Dalcroze extensively and received her accreditation at Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Ruth Caldwell, Jeffrey Whilley and Karen Lemon. During this period, she also studied ‘Music & Students with Special Needs’ with Ruth Caldwell.
Melissa has taught Children’s Music since 1999 and more recently studied Composition with the late Clifford Abbott, Annie Nichols and Dr. Phillip Rutherford. She regularly composes songs and works for various projects and wrote extensively for the children’s entertainment group ‘The B-Bops’, in which she was a performer, partner and composer.
MICHAELE ARCHER
Co-Head of Program (Voice), Vocal Teacher
Michaele studied in New York with world renowned voice teacher, David Jones who works with singers at the Metropolitan Opera.
As a graduate with distinction from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Opera School, Michaele has a Masters in Applied Science, researching breathing techniques for opera singers from the University of Sydney and a B.A. in Performances Studies, Languages and Australian Literature. Her research in breathing was presented in Paris at the International Congress of Voice teachers.
Michaele performed with Opera Australia in Turandot, Otello, and Werther and as a guest soloist in concert. Other roles include Emmie in Albert Herring (Opera Australia), Mrs Peachum in The Beggars Opera, and Nedda in Pagliacci and Tosca.
TIM PAGE
Vocal Teacher, Musical Theatre Teacher
Trained as an actor and singer in New Zealand, Tim Page joined NZ Opera when he was 19. After arriving in Australia in 1973, Tim joined the Australian Opera for the production of War and Peace which opened the Sydney Opera House.
He has since sung in many operas, musicals and concerts around the world. As well as recording with the BBC Radio Orchestra, Tim spent two years in the original cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects Of Love.
“It was a thrill to be part of an original West End hit show and participate in the recording which went double platinum in world sales,” says Tim.
He has also toured South Korea and Taiwan in Jekyll and Hyde and had leading roles in four Stephen Sondheim musicals.
A highly versatile actor, as well as singing in dozens of operas and musicals Tim has also starred in many plays, films and TV shows and is probably best known for playing Dr Graham Steele in The Young Doctors for more than six years on Channel 9.
He was also awarded a Best Actor Star Award for his portrayal of Danforth in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Tim has been a vocal tutor at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music for 10 years.
“I absolutely love guiding people on how to unlock, enjoy, grow and look after their voices. I love engaging with my students in community concerts, musicals and operas when they come up. I also encourage people to undertake AMEB examinations to gain confidence as their skill levels grow,” he says.
As well as teaching at the Con, Tim is currently studying for his Bachelor of Music degree through UNE, sings with the Central Coast Philharmonia Choir and has directed three productions for Central Coast Opera.
Yvette Masters
Co-Head of Program (Voice), Vocal Teacher
Since graduating from Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Diploma of Operatic Art, majoring in vocal performance, Yvette has taught and consulted for some of Australia’s biggest singing stars including Wes Carr (winner of Australian Idol), Erica Packer, Lanie Lane (2011 Triple J artist and 2012 four- time Aria Award nominee), Ben Gillies (Silverchair), and Kate Akhurst (co-writer of hits on Ricki Lee’s 2012 album).
Yvette’s success is highly regarded and attributed to her unique approach to singing teaching, with breathing technique, stable sound projection with a strong focus on musicality, pitch, diction, phrasing and development of a large repertoire of music to a high-performance standard.
