PSOC STAFF 2024
Perth Summer Orchestra Camp employs 25 professional staff . Meet our expert staff.
Music Director PSOC :
Conductor Baroque Orchestra
Grace Ah-quee trained as a violinist in Sydney : worked with the Australian Ballet and Opera Orchestra including touring with Pavarotti and playing for Joan Sutherland's last Opera.
Grace is a staff conductor for WAYO , tutoring & conducting for WAYACHAMP.
As a professional musician she works for Perth Symphony Orchestra , Toured WA with Perth Chamber Orchestra - Baroque programme.
Grace is principal Violist for Fremantle Chamber Orchestra working also for Perth Philharmonic WA Ballet seasons .
She is the Director of Perth Summer Orchestra Camp and Music Director for Allegri Chamber Orchestra.
Director Baroque Orchestra
Helen Kruger returned from 15 years in the UK, studying Violin at the Royal Academy of Music(RAM), London and working with the leading early music ensembles and orchestras throughout the UK, Europe and Australia.
Helen performed with the OAE for 13 years, as a concerto soloist, section leader and tutti player. She was the Director of the Junior Royal Academy of Music chamber program for 7 years.
Helen was a core member of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment education team for 10 years.
Helen started the Little Baroque Co. whilst completing her Masters at RAM which toured the UK and Europe for over 13 years before she moved back to Australia.
Helen is the Founder of Australian Baroque and Director for PSOC Advanced Baroque Orchestra 2020 - 2024.
Conductor Summer Strings
As a founding conductor Daemon Clark has been with Perth Summer Orchestra Camp for more than 10 years giving superb guidance and support to all our participants .
He specialises in bringing joy to people in the early stages of their playing experience .
He conducts String Beans and the adult music lovers orchestras Dorkestra & Awkwardstra .
He is a dedicated string teacher Conducting: WAYS, WAYO's Camerata and Collegium.
Conductor Brilliant Strings
Jasmin Robertson (nee Parkinson- Stewart) has been working as a professional violinist and violin teacher for over 10 years. She has been a casual violinist with WASO and performs regularly with Perth Symphony and other freelance ensembles .She is a keen pit musician who loves ballet music performances with WA Philharmonic and pro theatre shows: most recently playing for The Wizard of OZ, An American in Paris and Moulin Rouge.
Jasmin teaches and conducts at both MLC and CCGS running the beginner programs and conducting the senior string orchestras. Her love of conducting has become more enhanced by her involvement in the PSO Women on the Podium program.
Conductor Junior Ensemble
Rebecca Hooper is a violinist and music educator with over 10 years experience teaching in a range of contexts. Having completed a bachelor of Music (violin performance) and a Graduate Diploma in Education at UWA she has since taught for WA Department of Education as a string specialist teacher , ensemble director and classroom teacher. Currently Rebecca is on staff at Rossmoyne High school .
Trained in Kodaly methodology she has a special interest in using the orchestral setting to help develop students' musicianship skills and is committed to cultivating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.
Conductor Junior Ensemble
Jade Martin is an enthusiastic, creative string teacher with over 20 years teaching experience in various settings. She is currently a Senior Teacher with the Department of Education, where she specialises in teaching violin, viola and string ensemble. After completing her Bachelor of Music Education degree, Jade went on to train in other music pedagogies including Kodaly, Orff/Schulwerk and the Suzuki method. She uses various elements of these pedagogies to create a rich, exciting and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Jade firmly believes that every child possesses innate musical abilities and that learning to play music with others is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences that life has to offer.
Professional Tutors
Tutorial sessions are run by Perth's top professional orchestra and chamber music players . Warm and supportive , our staff have a deep interest in conveying their love of orchestra playing in manageable bites. All tutors are exceptionally experienced with young children and youth musicians.