Lucy McAlary, Director
Choral specialist Lucy McAlary is a versatile musician and educator with a rare ability to work across the entire age range.  Her choirs in Australia and the United Kingdom have performed in concert and on CD with distinguished professional ensembles including London Sinfonietta and the Mike Westbrook Band. A graduate of Sydney University and NSW Conservatorium, Lucy studied with David Miller, and in the UK with Geoffrey Parsons and Paul Hamburger. She studied choral conducting in workshops with Christopher Bell, Doreen Rao and John Høybye.

As vocal coach and accompanist she has worked with singers and instrumentalists in concerts, recitals and recordings in Australia and overseas. Lucy has taught from pre-school to tertiary level, working with students from Trinity College, London and the University of Greenwich as well as serving classroom teachers.  As Director of Music at Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and the Arts in south-east London, Lucy was responsible for an extensive performance program for staff and students which included regular European tours by Conservatoire choirs and instrumental ensembles.  Lucy was Director of Academy Singers from 2005 – 2011, establishing the ensemble’s successful annual series of concerts, participatory Singing Days for adults as well as Blue Mountains Youth Choir.

Director of Penrith City Choir since 2005, Lucy has been instrumental in the development of the choir’s program for young voices, now encompassing Penrith City Youth Choir (14 – 21 years) and Penrith City Children’s Choir (7 – 13 years).

Lucy also works as a freelance choral conductor and workshop leader and runs a private teaching studio in voice and piano in the Blue Mountains.

Jane Andino, Accompanist
Jane has toured overseas as accompanist and musical director for the soprano Deborah Cheetham (1998 -2000). This involved rehearsing and directing a small ensemble in tours to England, Switzerland, and New Zealand, and around Australia.

Jane enjoys performing Latin-American music. She and her husband Ricardo Andino regularly work as the Ritmo Duo. She also plays in the local Tango group Alturas, and has recorded a duo CD Esperanza meets Anouar with Woodwind/Sax player Greg Gibson. Jane runs a private teaching studio offering lessons in a range of piano styles.