About NECOM

Founded in 2003, the New England Conservatorium of Music has been dedicated to providing young people across Armidale and the New England region with access to high-quality music education. We offer a comprehensive range of lessons and classes, both onsite and online, designed to inspire and support students at all levels.

Our team of professional staff and experienced music teachers work closely with local primary and secondary schools to expand opportunities for students beyond the traditional classroom. Through these partnerships, we help bring music into the lives of young people, fostering creativity, discipline, and a lifelong love of the arts.

NECOM Annual Report 2025
NECOM Annual Report 2025

A Word About the Very Important Volunteers at NECOM

At the heart of NECOM is a remarkable community of volunteers whose generosity, passion, and tireless support make our work possible.

Whether assisting in programs, helping at events, or working behind the scenes in the library and beyond, their dedication helps create vibrant, inspiring musical experiences for students and audiences alike.

These valued contributors bring warmth, energy, and a strong sense of community to everything they do, embodying the spirit of NECOM and ensuring our programs continue to thrive across the region.

If you would like to be a part of our Volunteer Program please email admin@necom.org.au

Meet the Team

Management and Administration

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Black and white portrait of a smiling woman wearing glasses, a necklace, and a dark blouse, sitting against a dark background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with curly hair, smiling, wearing a dark button-up shirt and earrings, sitting against a dark background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with dark hair, smiling, wearing a short-sleeved top, necklace, bracelet, and ring, seated against a plain dark background.
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Christine Davidson

Music Program Coordinator

Andrew French-Northam

CEO

Beck Smith

Administration Support

Cathy Flanagan

Accountant

Presh Ward

Music Program Assistant

Nicky Price

Administration & WHS Coordinator

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Head of Departments

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Paul Marshall

Head of Winds, Brass, Percussion & Contemporary

Joanna Fairs-Wu

Head of Strings

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Black and white portrait of a woman with glasses and short hair, smiling and sitting on a stool against a dark background, wearing a dark shirt and pants.

Hester Wright

Head of Voice

Margaret Flemming

Head of Keyboard

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Leanne Roobol

Head of Choral

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Sharny Russell

Head of Contemporary Projects

Beck Smith

Head of Early Childhood

Winds, Brass & Percussion Department

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A man sitting while playing a snare drum, holding drumsticks, with a gong hanging in the background.
A man playing a flute, seated on a stool, dressed in black against a dark background.

Paul Marshall

Jack Cavanagh

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James McKay

Louisa Sindel-Marshall

Malcolm Liddell

Dominic Lukin

Tree-lined park pathway with green leaves and a gravel trail

Denis dos Santos

Black and white photo of a woman playing the violin, wearing a lace top and striped pants, against a dark background.

Strings Department

Black and white photograph of a woman with glasses playing a violin.

Joanna Fairs-Wu

April Kelson

A man with a beard playing the violin, seated against a dark background, wearing a black shirt and appearing to enjoy the music.
A woman with glasses is sitting and holding a cello and bow, looking slightly to the side, in a black and white photo.

Robert van Gend

Natasha Dyason

A woman with grey hair playing a violin against a black background.
Black and white photo of a woman with curly hair, wearing a floral shirt, holding a cello, in low light.

Hanna Kaminska

Sue Langbein

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Wendy Griffiths

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Keyboard Department

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Margaret Flemming

Robert Manley

Louisa Sindel-Marshall

Kees Grenyer

Voice & Choral Department

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Black and white portrait of a woman smiling, wearing a dark shirt with a logo that says New England Conservatorium against a dark background.
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Hester Wright

Leanne Roobol

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Katy Haselwood

Sharny Russell

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A woman sitting next to a grand piano, smiling, wearing a black embroidered blouse, with her hand resting on the keyboard.
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Jessica Miller

Bénédicte Uphill

Margaret Flemming

Early Childhood Department

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A woman with shoulder-length hair smiling, sitting against a dark background, holding a plush stuffed kookaburra.

Beck Smith

Fiona Billingsley

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Music Therapy

Fumie Takahashi

Accompanists & Collaborative Pianists

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A man wearing glasses, a dark shirt, and a blazer sitting at a piano, with his right arm resting on the piano and smiling at the camera, black and white photo.
A woman sitting at a grand piano, smiling, with her left arm resting on the piano and her right hand on her lap, wearing a sheer embroidered top.

Margaret Flemming

Bénédicte Uphill

Robert Manley

Warwick Dunham

School Curriculum, School Choirs & School Ensembles

Black and white photo of a smiling older woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a necklace and bracelets, sitting at and leaning on a grand piano, with her hands resting on the piano.

Hester Wright

Margaret Flemming

Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with curly hair, wearing a short sleeve top, sitting against a dark background.
A tree-lined park pathway in spring with green leaves and a gravel trail.

Louisa Sindel-Marshall

Sue Langbein

A man sitting and playing a flute against a dark background, dressed in a black shirt and pants.
Black and white portrait of a smiling man with glasses, wearing a dark shirt, sitting against a black background.
A black and white portrait of an older man with glasses playing a trumpet against a dark background.

Paul Marshall

James McKay

Black and white portrait of a woman smiling, wearing a lace top with floral patterns, sitting against a dark background.
A man playing the violin, sitting on a chair against a dark background, wearing a black shirt.

Joanna Fairs-Wu

Robert van Gend

A woman with short, wavy hair, wearing a dark top and a necklace, smiling while holding a choral folder, against a solid dark background.
A park pathway lined with tall trees with green leaves, some fallen on the ground, and a gravel path in the center.

Rowena Teege

Annie Kanety

Close-up black-and-white portrait of a woman with short hair, hoop earrings, and wearing a dark top, against a black background.

Heidi Locke

Black and white photo of a woman with curly hair holding a cello, looking at the camera with a slight smile, wearing a floral patterned top, in a dark studio setting.

Sally Spillane

Jessica Miller

Dominic Lukin

Malcolm Liddell

NECOM Board

As a limited liability company, NECOM benefits from the strategic oversight of a committed volunteer Board of directors, working hand in hand with the CEO to drive effective governance and operational excellence

Greg Moin

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Matthew Hobbs

Jane Dauparas

Erica Smith

Caroline Lee

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Board Member

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Beth Richards

Board Member

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Board Member

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Treasurer

Chairperson

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Secretary & Public Officer

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