Holiday Music Program

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GUEST PRESENTERS

Nicole Crosswell

Nicole Crosswell

Nicole Crosswell is a Brisbane visual artist whose practice embodies the phrase ‘to draw’; from contemporary manipulation of physical thread and line through to traditional methods of drawing and mark making. Alongside her practice, Nicole is an arts facilitator, experienced with all ages and all abilities holding workshops either on location or at her space in Camp Hill, The Artist’s Studio. Nicole provides creative immersive processes where participants explore, experiment, and experience the freedom of expression and its positive impacts.

Nicole is also the Scientific Illustrator for The Queensland Herbarium, at Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens.

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Menaka Thomas

Menaka Thompson HeadshotMenaka is a Brisbane-based singer, songwriter, and teacher. She studied the traditional art of South Indian (Carnatic) music from a young age of 5 from her mother, Vijaya Visvanathan. Menaka now sings a fusion of traditional Indian vocals with contemporary and other world influences, an intersection of East and West. Menaka experiences a great sense of fulfilment and freedom in being able to express the devotion of Indian music with other world music sounds.

As a singer, Menaka has featured on many musical platforms, including Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland Multicultural Festival, Festival of Tibet, BrisAsia Festival and the Anywhere Festival. Menaka is also one of the featured cast members for Brisbane Powerhouse's "Women In Voice" for 2022. Menaka’s music has been highly commended in the world music category of the Queensland Music Awards on several occasions, alongside musical collaborators.

Menaka’s career in song writing unexpectedly commenced after a sudden deterioration in her health that nearly claimed her vision, Menaka found herself writing songs to help her overcome the challenges she was facing. This was the catalyst to putting together her debut solo album, “My Eyes Can See”. She launched her album in 2019 at the Queensland Multicultural Centre to a sold-out audience.

Menaka continues to perform and create original work, as well as facilitate vocal classes and workshops for people of all ages. Her vision is to unite, connect and inspire people through music. 
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Kellie Wilson

Kelliw Wilson Headshot
Kellie Wilson has a broad range of experience in arts management, both in Australia and overseas, with roles including Artistic Program Manager (West Australian Symphony Orchestra), Producer (Queensland Symphony Orchestra), Capital Campaign Development Officer (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and others. Kellie also has extensive choral and teaching experience with schools in South-East Queensland, and as Assistant Conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
Kellie holds a Masters of Primary Learning and Teaching, Graduate Certificate in Music Studies (vocal pedagogy), Bachelor of Communications and AMusA violin and singing. 
Kellie has a passion for musical theatre, and has performed many principal roles, as well as assisted with vocal coaching and performed in the pit: violin and keyboard. 
Kellie hopes the students of the Birralee summer program will love bringing musical theatre to life as much as she will! 
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Associate Sponsors
Brisbane City Council
Queensland Youth Music Awards
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