2021

Unfortunately COVID put a stop to our Eisteddfod!

2019

Speech and Drama Adjudicator
Kiesten McCauley BA, ATCL, LTCL

Kiesten has a reputation for giving thorough and constructive advice and encouragement to competitors. She is supportive of competitors’ ambitions and gives them constructive criticism for ways in which they may improve, without being mean-spirited, or discouraging them from future performances. By the age of seventeen, Kiesten had passed her Trinity College of London ATCL and LTCL for Speech and Drama, with Distinction. Kiesten was writing, directing and producing short films while at University, where she also became involved in stand-up comedy and Theatresports Queensland. Later she represented Queensland in the Theatresports National Championships. Kiesten has taught improvisation, speech and drama classes and workshop series all around Queensland, Northern NSW and Norfolk Island. She has performed on every major (and a few minor ones, too) stage in Queensland, as well as Sydney’s Enmore Theatre and Belvoir Street Theatre. Eisteddfods in Brisbane, Launceston, Gunnedah, Chartres Towers, the Gold Coast and Townsville, among others, have all been recipients of Kiesten’s expertise. We welcome her to Tenterfield and hope she enjoys her time with us.

Music Adjudicator
Melissa Buchholz AMusA (Distinction), Dip CrArts(Music), LTCL(Recorder & Piano), FTCL, Grad DipEd, Cert in Church Music.

Melissa is an experienced adjudicator and workshop presenter. As an adjudicator, she prides herself on being encouraging and supportive, while still offering guidance towards bettering the performance. Melissa graduated from the DDIAE with a Dip CrArts (Music) and also has an AMusA (piano) with Distinction, a LTCL (piano and recorder), is a FTCL, an AACM and a Grad. Dip Ed. A woodwind and piano teacher for more than twenty five years and a highly accomplished accompanist, Melissa has adjudicated all over NSW and Queensland, including Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Lismore, Orange, the Gold Coast, Dubbo, Wollongong and more. We welcome her to the 2019 Tenterfield Eisteddfod.

Dance Adjudicator
Amanda Jane Pearson ADAA

Amanda Jane has a teaching career that spans more than twenty five year years, teaching ADA grades from Pre-Primary through to the Advanced Level. Through her years as a dancer and choreographer, Amanda Jane has performed at various Queensland Industry Events, including Warner Bros. Movie World’s Dance Show on the Gold Coast, as well as enjoying acting roles, TV commercials, stage productions and the “Punishment” Television series. Amanda Jane owns and operates a TV commercial casting consultancy in Brisbane. Amanda Jane provides honest and helpful critiques in a positive and helpful manner. She has a wonderful passion for dance and always appreciates the opportunity to encourage young performers of any age. Amanda Jane has adjudicated at Moe (Vic.), Perth, Christchurch, Rockhampton, Mt. Isa and the South East Queensland Performing Arts Festival. She has been an Advanced Level Member of the Australasian Dance Association (formerly FATD – the Federated Association of Teachers of Dance) for thirty nine years. We do hope her time at the Tenterfield Eisteddfod will be both an enjoyable and positive experience.

2017

Speech Adjudicator
Rob Christmas LTCL, ATCL
Based in Tamworth, Rob brings 35 years of teaching experience including Speech & Drama, Communication, Debating and Public Speaking, while also acting as an adjudicator at Eisteddfodau in Sydney and rural New South Wales.
Rob is currently the Regional Representative for Trinity College London (the international examinations board), a member of Qld CSPT (Association for the Study of Australian Literature), newly elected President of NSW Speech & Drama Teachers’ Association and the NSW representative for the Australian Bush Poetry Association.
Public presentation skills and a love of literature should be encouraged no matter what career path you follow, so Rob is thrilled to be invited to participate in the furthering of these skills and a showcasing of the variety of talent in the Tenterfield region during the 2017 Eisteddfod.

Dance Adjudicator
Marilyn Morrison
An experienced All Round Adjudicator, Marilyn is qualified in RAD Classical, Tap (with renowned Les Griffith), Examiner for ADTS (Jazz and Modern) and Examiner for IDTA Contemporary/Modern Syllabus.
With over 21 years Judging experience in Australia and internationally Marilyn is always keen to encourage competitors towards their future development keeping up with all the latest trends and commercial material – she has a wealth of knowledge in all genres.
As a Director, Performer, Teacher, Dance Eisteddfod Convenor, Agent Producer, Consultant, Examiner and Adjudicator, Marilyn is now proud to be adjudicating at the 2017 Tenterfield Eisteddfod.

Music Adjudicator
Troy Castle AmusA (Dist)
A multi-skilled musician, Troy has been privileged to be a studio teacher specialising in the tuition of Voice, Brass, Piano & Music Theory preparing students for examinations, Eisteddfodau, concerts and HSC performances with all his students achieving high results.
Troy is experienced as a musical director, conductor and accompanist with school choirs.
Having formed the Clarence Coast Theatrical Society overseeing all of their major productions as producer and director Troy co-conceived the Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod in Maclean in 2012. He has served the governing boards as president of both these associations.

2015

Speech Adjudicator
Margaret Gallagher has been involved in Arts and communication Education for over 25 years. Margaret holds a Licentiate Diploma in Speech and Drama from Trinity Guildhall London, winning a Top of the State award for results in this subject. She has previously been co-ordinator and teacher of Speech, Drama, Communication and Oral language subjects in Brisbane and Townsville. Margaret has a keen interest in directing theatrical productions, developing self confidence and oral skills in children through performance.

Dance Adjudicator
Rebecca Dwyer is a member of the Australian Dance Adjudicators Inc., and the Royal Academy of Dance (London). She is also a certified Pilates Instructor. She was an inaugural member of the Brisbane Broncos Cheerleaders and danced with the TN Theatre company in Brisbane. Rebecca is now a freelance Dance teacher (specialising in classical ballet and modern dance), and is an adjudicator of Dance throughout Australia for all dance styles. Rebecca is looking forward to adjudicating at Tenterfield this year to encourage the wonderful talent in this area.

Music, Vocal & Instrumental Adjudicator
Deidre Rickards (BMusED, ARMC, LMus, OAM) is a graduate from the Conservatorium in Newcastle, Deakin University and the Royal College of Music (London). She has worked in a number of Departmental Schools and Directed Music Departments in private schools in Armidale NSW. Deidre has conducted school and community choirs and orchestras and is currently working with two String orchestras in Armidal. In recent years she has designed and administered an education programme for the New England Conservatorium of Music called “Chamber music in schools”. Her students have been exposed to a vast array of Australian compositions and many have won competitions.

2013

Speech & Dance Adjudicator:
Olivia Hill
Associate and Licentiate Trinity College of London: Bachelor of Arts Queensland University of Technology: Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing-Modern Jazz Teachers Certificate-Tap Teachers Diploma-Theatrical Teachers Diploma-Jazz Award (Honours Plus): Royal Academy of Dance-Grade Eight Award & Teachers Certificate.
For the past 15 years Olivia has run a Speech & Drama program at local primary schools. In addition for the past nine years she has run a threatre school, training students in several styles of Dance, acrobatics, musical theatre, singing and speech and drama. In addition she has trained teachers both in studio ‘diploma’ classes and on the job. Writes and adapts scripts for plays, pantomimes and dance shows. Prepares students for examinations to diploma level in dance, musical theatre and drama. Olivia’s students achieve excellent results in Eisteddfods, examinations and in personal development.

Music – Vocal & Instruments
Jane Robertson F.T.C.L., L.Mus.A., B. Mus.Ed., JP
Jane Robertson is a graduate of Newcastle Conservatorium, having studied music education as well as advanced performance in Piano.
She combined her early years of high school music teaching with regular broadcasts for ABC Radio, Chamber performances and as Associate artist for many visiting national and international soloists.
From 1996 to 2010, Jane was Director of Tamworth Regional Conservatorium, during which time she also maintained a Piano studio of beginner to advanced students.