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Thomas Sulda

Tom has been involved in community bands as a player or conductor from the age of 10. Beginning as a primary school Euphonium player, he taught himself Trombone in his late teens and began conducting in his mid-twenties. Tom has had a varied career as an Electrician, Radio Technician, Avionics Technician and Engineer, Design Engineer, General Manager, Corporate Executive and Business Consultant. His life’s passion, however, has always been music.

In 2018 and in parallel with a busy professional career, Tom successfully auditioned as a classical performance student at the Elder Conservatorium of Music completing his undergraduate bachelor’s degree in music in 2021 on Euphonium and Trombone.

Tom is currently an honours student studying classical conducting under Dr. Luke Dollman at the University of Adelaide and will complete this degree in 2023.

Tom is the music director of the South Coast Choral and Arts Society band and, an officer in the Australian Air Force Cadets with duties as a conductor and instrumental teacher to young adults.

Tom will be conducting Cathy Likhuta's Home away from home in AWO's September 2023 concert.

Kate Mawson

Born in Adelaide, Kate Mawson graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Jazz, Saxophone) from the Elder Conservatorium of Music (University of Adelaide) in 2004. She gained her education qualifications (Graduate Diploma of Education) from Monash University in Melbourne in 2006.

Kate is a conductor, secondary school teacher of music, composer, arranger, and instrumentalist of 20 years’ experience. She held the positions of Coordinator of Music (Curriculum), Coordinator of Bands and Ensembles, and Year Level Coordinator (Years 8/9), at Seymour College. These roles afforded her the opportunity to combine her interests in music education and adolescent development and wellbeing.

Kate has broad experience as musical director in theatre, conducting numerous secondary school productions over the past two decades. She is currently completing studies in Conducting at the Elder Conservatorium, under the guidance of Dr Luke Dollman. Kate is the conductor of the Adelaide Youth Wind Orchestra (Adelaide Youth Orchestras) and has appeared as guest conductor at the SA State Music Camp in 2021 and 2022.