Emma Dauparas

Student, Cello

I graduated from NECOM in 2022. I studied the cello and participated in many ensembles as a student there since 2016. Currently, I am in Canberra studying a double bachelor’s degree at the ANU in Law and Music (majoring in performance on the cello). ... Learning an instrument through NECOM was an experience that I truly treasured. The staff’s evident passion for music is what inspired me to study a bachelor’s degree of Music. They, namely my amazing teacher Mr Robert Jackson and associate artist and performance coach Mrs Li Ling Chen, have helped me in so many ways, from supporting me throughout the HSC into my dream university courses, to passing onto me and every other student there a love of music, regardless of their age or level. I study my Music degree as a student of Mr David Pereira, who is considered one of the finest classical cellists working today. I thoroughly enjoy his teaching, personality and attitude and philosophy towards music. The past semester under his tutelage, albeit challenging, has been incredibly rewarding and exciting. Becoming a student of David’s had been a dream of mine since I had the opportunity to have a guest lesson with him in 2019, as part of the scholarship program I was fortunate to be a part of through NECOM. I have also met many amazing musicians at ANU, who have been great to work with and fostered a welcoming community at the School of Music. Although they set a high bar in strings seminars, they are always supportive, constructive and very passionate about studying music. Studying law at ANU is also, unsurprisingly, very challenging, however I am really loving it. Assignments can be daunting, and the workload is immense, but I find the courses are so interesting and the community is also quite friendly. Ultimately, moving to Canberra to study at the ANU has been amazing. I love what I am studying and the new communities I am a part of, and I am very grateful to have been a student at NECOM as it has set me up for my tertiary education.

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Elinor Warwick

Student, Violin

After graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Advanced) in 2022 under the tutelage of Elizabeth Layton at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide, I am currently completing an honours year. I am also finishing a Diploma of Languages in German Studies. ... I play with the Elder Con Symphony Orchestra, Elder Con Chamber Orchestra, Elder Con Chorale, Elder Con Baroque Ensemble, and various other chamber ensembles. Alongside university studies, I have been performing freelance with the Adelaide Concert Orchestra, and in a string quartet at many different venues, including as part of the Illuminate festival. This string quartet has also had the wonderful opportunity to be mentored by the Australian String Quartet, as they are the quartet-in-residence at the Elder Con. I am also really excited to be concertmaster and soloist for the next symphony orchestra concert in Elder Hall. I have attended the AYO National Music Camps for the last couple of years and am looking forward to performing with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra in their November concert. I also have a violin studio in Adelaide, teaching students from age 5 to adult.

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David Tan

Student, Violin

After high school and finishing up at NECOM, I moved to Brisbane to study a Bachelor of Music majoring in Violin Performance under the tutelage of the esteemed Michele Walsh. ...During that time, and since then I continued performing with the Australian Youth Orchestra in their National Music Camp and Season concerts, playing in the Sydney Town Hall, Hamer Hall Melbourne, The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Elder Conservatorium Adelaide. Since graduating from my Bachelor of Music at the end of last year, I have been playing with Southern Cross Soloists as one of their Next Gen Young Artists, performing in QPAC and the Bangalow Music Festival alongside many incredible musicians such as Konstantin Shamray and Alexandra Osbourne. As I move ahead pursuing a professional orchestral career, I look back with much appreciation and fondness for my time at NECOM, I participated in so many wonderful experiences and enjoyed every moment. From playing each week with the Armidale Youth Orchestra to having masterclasses with visiting artists, the opportunities were inspiring. This, combined with the incredible patience and care of my violin teachers Marian Barford and Joanna Fairs-Wu gave me all the opportunities I needed to support and fuel my desire to become a professional musician.

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Jessica Williamson

Student, Vocals

After high school and finishing up at NECOM, I moved to Wollongong to study for a Performance Theatre degree, I changed after a year to study a Creative Arts degree Majoring in Music and Minoring in Theatre. I continued to sing at Gondwana National Choral School for a couple of years. ...In April 2023, I was married to Max Williamson who plays the Bass guitar and we enjoy playing together for Church and fun. We would love to write music together. For the last two years, I've been doing a ministry apprenticeship with AFES University ministry. This has been two big years of growth. Last year I had the opportunity to sing with Sydney Philharmonics young adults choir VOX as we performed an Eric Whitacre concert at the Sydney Opera House. He came from America to conduct us, which was such a dream. Sadly because of the travel from Wollongong, I haven't been able to continue regularly but I hope to in the future. I'm planning on starting High School Music teaching Masters in the next couple of years and can't wait to teach as I have been taught by wonderful teachers in the Armidale community many of whom are from NECOM. I'm so thankful for the musical education I received at NECOM and PLC (and Newling before that). It grew my confidence and character in so many ways as I made music with others, grew in discipline and also learnt to lead as I conducted New England Singers chorale under the wonderful Leanne Roobol. Since having left Armidale I've now observed that the opportunities that I received at NECOM are like no other. The leadership, quality of teachers and genuine care for their students at NECOM built a wonderful community that has been a great blessing to be a part of. For students growing up in such a community helps them build a sense of identity and grow in skills and confidence to take on the world. I will always rave about getting to grow up in Armidale with the amazing opportunities and communities that I did and NECOM was certainly a big part of that.

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