The Team
The Vocal Manoeuvres Academy teaching staff is a team of voice coaching, choral conducting, education and performance experts who excel at coaching solo vocalists and directing dynamic choral ensembles.
Leading this team and ensuring they maintain their peak state is the artistic director, internationally renowned chorusmaster and vocal coach, Alison Rogers. Alison inspires commitment in the company from the artistic, operational and administrative teams to develop their respective elements of the business to an outstanding level.
Alison Rogers
Director, Chorusmaster and Vocal Coach. Alison is the founder and Director of The Manoeuvres Group Pty Ltd which houses the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy Pty Ltd and the sibling company Event Manoeuvres Pty Ltd.
Alison’s skills as a dedicated and energetic chorusmaster coupled with her creative and entrepreneurial spirit have seen her pioneer many innovative choral programs throughout Queensland, Australia and in the international arena. Choral programs Alison has designed include the indigenous ensemble The Ailan Kores Choir in the Torres Strait Islands, the Young Conservatorium Choral Program at the Queensland Conservatorium and the QPAC Choir based at the Queensland Performing Arts Complex.
Alison has co-ordinated and trained backing vocalists for artists such as Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, Mirusia, Nick Cave and Neil and Tim Finn and enjoys co-producing the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols at the Brisbane Riverstage which is televised nationally on Channel 9, Redland City Christmas Carols at Sirromet and Education Queensland’s Creative Generation State Schools Onstage which is televised nationally on Network 10.
Alison has served as Assistant to the Head of Music at Opera Queensland and has been engaged as chorusmaster for the Australian performances of Beethoven’s Symphony Number 9 with Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Havergal Brian’s Symphony Number 1 (The Gothic), Mahler Symphony Number 2, 8 and Britten’s War Requiem.
Alison travels regularly to Singapore where she has prepared the chorus for Holst The Plants, the Mahler symphonies and, most recently, Beethoven Symphony Number 9 and Esenvalds Lakes Awake at Dawn for performances in the Esplanade Concert Hall.
To work in an industry about which she is passionate is considered one of the great privileges in Alison’s life.
Alison is an avid pilates and yoga devotee and is often seen rolling out her yoga mat and engaging in a state of pranayama during which all staff approach with care and speak only in sanskrit.
Peter Krenske
Repetiteur. Peter is the full time repetiteur of the company and works with all ensembles and private tuition program students. Peter is the keyboardist of choice for our high profile visiting artists and events to which the company is contracted. An honours student at the Conservatoire de Paris, Peter majored in organ. Peter is a keen sound engineer with an international list of credits including recent projects in Luxembourg. To balance his artistic endeavours, Peter restores and races historic motor bikes and enjoys aged merlot. It is to be noted that these activities are not undertaken simultaneously.
Caitlin Hurtado
Melodic Minors Teacher and Music Support. Caitlin is a experienced early childhood teacher and works extensively with our young singers. With her bright and effervescent personality, Caitlin is often heard humming in the corridors of the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy as she travels to and from her classrooms often with little people following her and enjoying her presence a la Pied Piper of Hamelin. Caitlin has sung in the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy since her primary school years and is an alto in the prestigious ensemble Exaudi Australis. In addition to teaching the Melodic Minors program in the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy, Caitlin often runs sectionals and commences rehearsals with the adult aged groups in our Ensemble Program. Caitlin provides the vital services of music support to our Vocal Manoeuvres Academy Director which includes assistance with rehearsal room set-ups, distribution of materials and ensuring everything runs smoothly. A long time resident of the beautiful Russell Island, Caitlin loves fishing and is renowned for her success in state-wide fishing competitions.
Luke Mears
Voice Teacher. Luke is graduate of the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy and is currently completing his final year as a voice major in the Bachelor of Music program at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. As a permanent member of staff at the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy, Luke excels at teaching voice to students of all ages in our Vocal Tuition Program. Working with singers on a one-on-one basis, Luke quickly develops rapport with his students and is able to propel them to that next level in their vocal journey within the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy. In addition to delivering vocal lessons, Luke teaches Music Skills Basics to choristers in our Ensemble Program and is often found on location with our consultancy partners including Creative Generation State Schools Onstage and the Queensland Academy of Creative Industries. Beat-boxing is a regular pastime activity of Luke’s which he brilliantly deploys in our professional ensemble Vocal Manoeuvres and to accelerate his progression in the queue during his frequent visits to the McDonald’s drive-through.
Aarya Dath
Skills Coach and Ensemble Mentor. Aarya is a student director at the prestigious Queensland Academy for Creative Industries where he is completing his final year of high school. Aarya has studied in the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy for many years in both the Private Tuition Program and the Ensemble Program. He is a popular coach and mentor with his astute, fun and contemporary teaching methods and often serves as a Skills Coach for students in the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy requiring extra support. A keen martial arts exponent, Aarya holds a black belt and is regularly seen coaching the Academy staff on effective methods of self defence and fitness through this art form.