Kate oversees all areas of Symphony Services International’s business. She is responsible for strategic planning and development of the company, and works closely with all team members to ensure smooth delivery of services and products. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Kate Lidbetter has worked for a variety of arts organisations over the past 20 years. Roles have included General Manager of the Sydney Children’s Choir, Artistic Administrator of the Australian Youth Orchestra and Artist Development Manager of Symphony Australia. From 2005 to 2008 Kate was Director of the Music Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, the federal government’s arts funding and advisory body. She returned to Symphony Australia in the role of CEO in late 2008. Kate has sat on a number of arts panels, committees and boards and is the Company Secretary of Symphony Services International.
Qualifications
1989 – Bachelor of Arts (Music, English), University of Sydney 1994 – Graduate Diploma in Arts Management, University of Technology Sydney 1999 – Masters in Policy, University of NSW
Administration Officer – Charlotte Binns-McDonald
Charlotte undertakes a variety of roles for Symphony Services International, including reception and general administration projects in all areas. She co-ordinates the annual Sector Meetings for the company, and assists in research projects that are of interest to the orchestral sector.
Artistic Administration
Artist Services Manager – Alison Saunders
Alison manages the contracting of non-resident musicians and groups travelling to Australia to perform with the Symphony Services International Member orchestras. She also oversees artists’ tour arrangements including visa and sponsorship applications, flights, accommodation and payments. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Alison joined Symphony Australia in late 2005. Her previous roles have included project coordination and community liaison work for communications specialists KJA, and administrative work at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Alison has a degree in Creative Writing/Social and Political Theory and is currently studying part-time for a Diploma in Law.
Qualifications
2002 – Bachelor of Arts (Communications) (Honours) University of Technology, Sydney
Artist Services Co-ordinator – Alexis Aitken
Alexis assists with travel arrangements for international artists, participants in Symphony Services International’s Artist Development programs and staff members. Her main duties include visa administration, accommodation and domestic travel bookings, and itinerary management. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
After completing tertiary studies, Alexis moved to Sydney in 2008 and started working for Symphony Services International. She plays violin and has been a member of several community orchestras in Sydney. She is currently a member of the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra. Alexis is currently studying for a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice through the Australian National University, after discovering her interest in migration within her current position.
Qualifications
2006 – Bachelor of Arts (Music, and Film and Television Studies), University of Queensland 2007 – Diploma of Event Management (Sport and Recreation), Southbank Institute of Technology
Artist Development Co-ordinator – Anna Howell
Anna is responsible for the coordination of Symphony Services International’s Artist Development activities. These include projects such as the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards, the Conductor and Composer Development programs and a variety of fellowships and traineeships designed to provide pathways for musicians and administrators on the brink of a career. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Anna came to the field of arts administration from a background as a performing classical musician. As a freelance bassoon player she has worked with most of the Australian symphony and opera and ballet orchestras and was a resident scholar at the National Academy of Music in Melbourne for a period of three years. In 2008 she took up the position of Orchestras Administrator with the Sydney Youth Orchestras realising a love for working with youth and the arts. She has recently joined the team at Symphony Services International as Artist Development Coordinator enabling her to continue working in this field.
Qualifications
2001 – Bachelor of Music (performance), Australian National University Canberra School of Music 2004 – Graduate Diploma Music (performance), University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Publications and Research
Audience Development Manager – Gordon Williams
As well as overseeing Symphony Services International’s program note and surtitle services, Gordon manages a number of projects designed to enlarge the constituency of the symphony orchestra. He is also involved in researching areas of interest to the orchestral sector. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Gordon has worked for ABC Concerts and Symphony Services International in a number of capacities. He was publications editor for Symphony Australia 1999-2005, supervising the printing of around 200 programs per year for each of the Member orchestras. As Programming and Planning Officer, 1994-6, he supervised Gunther Schuller’s Australian premiere of Charles Ives’ Fourth Symphony and the revival of Nigel Butterley’s opera Lawrence Hargrave Flying Alone, both for the Sydney Symphony. He was project coordinator of Music is our Culture, the first work for symphony orchestra composed by indigenous musicians and producer of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Adelaide Festival concert in which that work was premiered. As librettist, he wrote Journey to Horseshoe Bend with composer Andrew Shultz and new dialogue for the Sydney Symphony’s revival of Don John of Austria.
Qualifications
1978 – Bachelor of Music (Education), University of Melbourne, Faculty of Music 1988 – Graduate, National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Playwrights Studio
Publications Co-ordinator – Lorraine Neilson
Lorraine researches and coordinates content relating to concert programs, including artist biographies, program notes, and licensing of texts and images. She has an interest in contemporary music genres and has written for jazz, pop and musical theatre programs produced by the Symphony Services International Member orchestras. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Lorraine studied piano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and performed and arranged for local groups before embarking on a career administering the European Social Fund in the UK. She returned to music in 2001 and taught piano before relocating to Australia in late 2005. She joined Symphony Services International in February 2006.
Qualifications
1988 – BA (Hons) Economics, Strathclyde University, Glasgow 2004 – DipABRSM (Piano Performing), Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music 2005 – BA (Hons) Applied Music, Strathclyde University, Glasgow
Music Library
Library Manager – Vi King Lim
Vi King supervises all areas of the Music Library at Symphony Services International including music hire, publishing and acquisitions. He works closely with the librarians of the member orchestras on a daily basis to serve their print music requirements. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Vi King Lim first worked at Symphony Australia as Library Assistant and Music Librarian, 2001-2004. He then went on to become the Librarian of the Australian Chamber Orchestra until 2006 and returned to Symphony Services International in 2009 as Library Manager. Vi King studied Javanese gamelan and dance in Surakarta, Indonesia from 1995 to 1997 and was Artistic Director of Langen Suka Sydney Gamelan Association for ten years. He also studied Gregorian chant at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, 2007-2008 and is the founder and Musical Director of Schola Caeciliana, a women’s chant choir. Vi King has been an organist at St Benedict’s Church since 2005. He speaks Italian and Indonesian.
Qualifications
1995 – Bachelor of Music with Honours (Composition), University of Sydney 2004 – Master of Music (Composition), University of Sydney
Library Technician (Acting Music Librarian) - Emily Whitmore
Emily provides operational support to both the Library Manager and the Music Librarian as well as maintaining the library collection through periodical stock-take, cataloguing and repairs. Until the end of 2010, Emily will be acting in the Music Librarian role, handling all aspects of Outside Hire, providing sheet music to community, school and professional orchestras. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Emily Whitmore started her career as a Library Assistant in a local government council before joining the Symphony Services International team in 2008. Since joining, Emily has acted in every role within the library, ensuring the smooth running of the operations. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Library and Information Management) through Charles Sturt University.
Qualifications
Library/Information Services – Certificate III – TAFE NSW
Library Assistant – Mark Lipski
As a part-time Library Assistant, Mark handles many aspects of the day-to-day running of the Music Library at Symphony Services International. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Mark is currently completing a Master of Music in double bass performance at the Sydney Conservatorium. Recently emigrated from New Zealand, he has extensive experience in various facets of the classical music business, including orchestral performance, operations, administration and music librarianship. From 2008 to 2010 Mark was the Assistant Librarian with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He has also been a freelance classical musician for a number of years, playing with many major orchestras in New Zealand and Australia. In 2009, Mark served as Principal Bass of the Wellington Orchestra. Mark’s varied and extensive experience makes him a versatile member of the Symphony Services International team.
Qualifications
2005 – Bachelor of Music, Victoria University of Wellington 2007 – Bachelor of Music (Honours 1st Class), University of Auckland
Finance
Finance Manager – Dilek Henderson
Dilek is responsible for all the financial aspects of the organisation, also ensuring that the board’s requirements for quality financial information are met. One of her key roles is to provide support and improvement to business services. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Previously, Dilek served as the group accountant for the ABC Concerts Division, reporting to ABC Finance. She was heavily involved in the process of corporatisation and the formation of Symphony Services Australia. She has over 25 years’ experience in financial management and reporting.
Qualifications
B.Econ. (Accounting Major) Member of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants
Artist Finance Officer – Teresa Majewski
Teresa administers contract payments to international non-resident conductors and soloists, applies for and obtains their Tax File Numbers (TFNs) and Australian Business Numbers (ABNs), ensures artists’ costs are invoiced to orchestral companies and other co-presenters, and maintains all artists’ transactions in a general ledger system. Teresa is also responsible for full function payroll administration for Symphony Services International. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Teresa has over 20 years’ experience in finance and payroll. Some of her previous roles include working for Unisys Australia as Accounts Payable Supervisor; for international public relations consultancy Hill and Knowlton as Senior Accounts Payable/Payroll Administrator; as Outsourcing Payroll Administrator at Micropay; and as Senior Payroll Administrator at Bidvest. Teresa joined Symphony Australia in November 2009.
Qualifications
1975 – Diploma, College of Economics, Wroclaw, Poland Various payroll and taxation training courses Member of The Association for Payroll Specialists
Accounts Payable Officer – Zofia Bryla
Zofia is responsible for the control and maintenance of accounts payable and receivable. Zofia also ensures the effective storage and retrieval of financial documentation for monitoring financial information so that it can be used in conjunction with management for internal and external auditing requirements. Biography and Qualifications
Biography
Zofia Bryla has seen multiple changes within the company. Twenty years ago she started out in finance with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). During this time she was employed in multiple finance positions in both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Concerts National Office, continuing with Symphony Australia, the forerunner of Symphony Services International. Zofia is a native speaker of Polish.
Qualifications
1973 – Graduate Diploma of Technical Education, Poland 1988 – English Language Diploma – Adult Education Centre, Sydney 1989 – Advanced Certificate in Secretarial Studies, Randwick College
Our Staff
Directorate
Kate oversees all areas of Symphony Services International’s business. She is responsible for strategic planning and development of the company, and works closely with all team members to ensure smooth delivery of services and products.
Biography
Kate Lidbetter has worked for a variety of arts organisations over the past 20 years. Roles have included General Manager of the Sydney Children’s Choir, Artistic Administrator of the Australian Youth Orchestra and Artist Development Manager of Symphony Australia. From 2005 to 2008 Kate was Director of the Music Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, the federal government’s arts funding and advisory body. She returned to Symphony Australia in the role of CEO in late 2008. Kate has sat on a number of arts panels, committees and boards and is the Company Secretary of Symphony Services International.
Qualifications
1989 – Bachelor of Arts (Music, English), University of Sydney
1994 – Graduate Diploma in Arts Management, University of Technology Sydney
1999 – Masters in Policy, University of NSW
Administration Officer – Charlotte Binns-McDonald
Charlotte undertakes a variety of roles for Symphony Services International, including reception and general administration projects in all areas. She co-ordinates the annual Sector Meetings for the company, and assists in research projects that are of interest to the orchestral sector.
Artistic Administration
Alison manages the contracting of non-resident musicians and groups travelling to Australia to perform with the Symphony Services International Member orchestras. She also oversees artists’ tour arrangements including visa and sponsorship applications, flights, accommodation and payments.
Biography
Alison joined Symphony Australia in late 2005. Her previous roles have included project coordination and community liaison work for communications specialists KJA, and administrative work at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Alison has a degree in Creative Writing/Social and Political Theory and is currently studying part-time for a Diploma in Law.
Qualifications
2002 – Bachelor of Arts (Communications) (Honours) University of Technology, Sydney
Alexis assists with travel arrangements for international artists, participants in Symphony Services International’s Artist Development programs and staff members. Her main duties include visa administration, accommodation and domestic travel bookings, and itinerary management.
Biography
After completing tertiary studies, Alexis moved to Sydney in 2008 and started working for Symphony Services International. She plays violin and has been a member of several community orchestras in Sydney. She is currently a member of the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra. Alexis is currently studying for a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice through the Australian National University, after discovering her interest in migration within her current position.
Qualifications
2006 – Bachelor of Arts (Music, and Film and Television Studies), University of Queensland
2007 – Diploma of Event Management (Sport and Recreation), Southbank Institute of Technology
Anna is responsible for the coordination of Symphony Services International’s Artist Development activities. These include projects such as the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards, the Conductor and Composer Development programs and a variety of fellowships and traineeships designed to provide pathways for musicians and administrators on the brink of a career.
Biography
Anna came to the field of arts administration from a background as a performing classical musician. As a freelance bassoon player she has worked with most of the Australian symphony and opera and ballet orchestras and was a resident scholar at the National Academy of Music in Melbourne for a period of three years. In 2008 she took up the position of Orchestras Administrator with the Sydney Youth Orchestras realising a love for working with youth and the arts. She has recently joined the team at Symphony Services International as Artist Development Coordinator enabling her to continue working in this field.
Qualifications
2001 – Bachelor of Music (performance), Australian National University Canberra School of Music
2004 – Graduate Diploma Music (performance), University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Publications and Research
As well as overseeing Symphony Services International’s program note and surtitle services, Gordon manages a number of projects designed to enlarge the constituency of the symphony orchestra. He is also involved in researching areas of interest to the orchestral sector.
Biography
Gordon has worked for ABC Concerts and Symphony Services International in a number of capacities. He was publications editor for Symphony Australia 1999-2005, supervising the printing of around 200 programs per year for each of the Member orchestras. As Programming and Planning Officer, 1994-6, he supervised Gunther Schuller’s Australian premiere of Charles Ives’ Fourth Symphony and the revival of Nigel Butterley’s opera Lawrence Hargrave Flying Alone, both for the Sydney Symphony. He was project coordinator of Music is our Culture, the first work for symphony orchestra composed by indigenous musicians and producer of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Adelaide Festival concert in which that work was premiered. As librettist, he wrote Journey to Horseshoe Bend with composer Andrew Shultz and new dialogue for the Sydney Symphony’s revival of Don John of Austria.
Qualifications
1978 – Bachelor of Music (Education), University of Melbourne, Faculty of Music
1988 – Graduate, National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Playwrights Studio
Lorraine researches and coordinates content relating to concert programs, including artist biographies, program notes, and licensing of texts and images. She has an interest in contemporary music genres and has written for jazz, pop and musical theatre programs produced by the Symphony Services International Member orchestras.
Biography
Lorraine studied piano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and performed and arranged for local groups before embarking on a career administering the European Social Fund in the UK. She returned to music in 2001 and taught piano before relocating to Australia in late 2005. She joined Symphony Services International in February 2006.
Qualifications
1988 – BA (Hons) Economics, Strathclyde University, Glasgow
2004 – DipABRSM (Piano Performing), Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
2005 – BA (Hons) Applied Music, Strathclyde University, Glasgow
Music Library
Vi King supervises all areas of the Music Library at Symphony Services International including music hire, publishing and acquisitions. He works closely with the librarians of the member orchestras on a daily basis to serve their print music requirements.
Biography
Vi King Lim first worked at Symphony Australia as Library Assistant and Music Librarian, 2001-2004. He then went on to become the Librarian of the Australian Chamber Orchestra until 2006 and returned to Symphony Services International in 2009 as Library Manager. Vi King studied Javanese gamelan and dance in Surakarta, Indonesia from 1995 to 1997 and was Artistic Director of Langen Suka Sydney Gamelan Association for ten years. He also studied Gregorian chant at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, 2007-2008 and is the founder and Musical Director of Schola Caeciliana, a women’s chant choir. Vi King has been an organist at St Benedict’s Church since 2005. He speaks Italian and Indonesian.
Qualifications
1995 – Bachelor of Music with Honours (Composition), University of Sydney
2004 – Master of Music (Composition), University of Sydney
Emily provides operational support to both the Library Manager and the Music Librarian as well as maintaining the library collection through periodical stock-take, cataloguing and repairs. Until the end of 2010, Emily will be acting in the Music Librarian role, handling all aspects of Outside Hire, providing sheet music to community, school and professional orchestras.
Biography
Emily Whitmore started her career as a Library Assistant in a local government council before joining the Symphony Services International team in 2008. Since joining, Emily has acted in every role within the library, ensuring the smooth running of the operations. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Library and Information Management) through Charles Sturt University.
Qualifications
Library/Information Services – Certificate III – TAFE NSW
As a part-time Library Assistant, Mark handles many aspects of the day-to-day running of the Music Library at Symphony Services International.
Biography
Mark is currently completing a Master of Music in double bass performance at the Sydney Conservatorium. Recently emigrated from New Zealand, he has extensive experience in various facets of the classical music business, including orchestral performance, operations, administration and music librarianship. From 2008 to 2010 Mark was the Assistant Librarian with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He has also been a freelance classical musician for a number of years, playing with many major orchestras in New Zealand and Australia. In 2009, Mark served as Principal Bass of the Wellington Orchestra. Mark’s varied and extensive experience makes him a versatile member of the Symphony Services International team.
Qualifications
2005 – Bachelor of Music, Victoria University of Wellington
2007 – Bachelor of Music (Honours 1st Class), University of Auckland
Finance
Finance Manager – Dilek Henderson
Dilek is responsible for all the financial aspects of the organisation, also ensuring that the board’s requirements for quality financial information are met. One of her key roles is to provide support and improvement to business services.
Biography
Previously, Dilek served as the group accountant for the ABC Concerts Division, reporting to ABC Finance. She was heavily involved in the process of corporatisation and the formation of Symphony Services Australia. She has over 25 years’ experience in financial management and reporting.
Qualifications
B.Econ. (Accounting Major)
Member of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants
Teresa administers contract payments to international non-resident conductors and soloists, applies for and obtains their Tax File Numbers (TFNs) and Australian Business Numbers (ABNs), ensures artists’ costs are invoiced to orchestral companies and other co-presenters, and maintains all artists’ transactions in a general ledger system. Teresa is also responsible for full function payroll administration for Symphony Services International.
Biography
Teresa has over 20 years’ experience in finance and payroll. Some of her previous roles include working for Unisys Australia as Accounts Payable Supervisor; for international public relations consultancy Hill and Knowlton as Senior Accounts Payable/Payroll Administrator; as Outsourcing Payroll Administrator at Micropay; and as Senior Payroll Administrator at Bidvest. Teresa joined Symphony Australia in November 2009.
Qualifications
1975 – Diploma, College of Economics, Wroclaw, Poland
Various payroll and taxation training courses
Member of The Association for Payroll Specialists
Zofia is responsible for the control and maintenance of accounts payable and receivable. Zofia also ensures the effective storage and retrieval of financial documentation for monitoring financial information so that it can be used in conjunction with management for internal and external auditing requirements.
Biography
Zofia Bryla has seen multiple changes within the company. Twenty years ago she started out in finance with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). During this time she was employed in multiple finance positions in both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Concerts National Office, continuing with Symphony Australia, the forerunner of Symphony Services International. Zofia is a native speaker of Polish.
Qualifications
1973 – Graduate Diploma of Technical Education, Poland
1988 – English Language Diploma – Adult Education Centre, Sydney
1989 – Advanced Certificate in Secretarial Studies, Randwick College