SUSANNE JAMES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Susanne has a forty year career in music education and executive arts management in NSW. Beginning as a secondary music teacher specialising in choral conducting, she then moved into senior management with three of NSW's leading music organisations - Education Manager at the Sydney Symphony, founding Director of the Sydney Conservatorium Open Academy and CEO of Sydney Youth Orchestras. She was Deputy Chair of The Song Company and is a trustee of the Heather Gell Dalcroze Foundation. Throughout her career Susanne established a distinguished track record in creating innovative music education programs for the K-12 sector, studio and classroom PD development, adult community education programs, and countless concert series and programs. Susanne originally joined NECOM in 2011 as CEO and retired in 2017, returning as CEO in 2019..
CORINNE ARTER, PROGRAM MANAGER
Formerly the Director from 2004-2010, Corinne has been involved in the growth of NECOM since its inception. She has been Program Manager since 2010 and oversees the delivery of NECOM's extensive music education programs. She has coordinated the biennial New England Sings! project for over 900 children that has won national acclaim at the prestigious APRA AMCOS Awards for Excellence in Music Education (2013) and Excellence in a Regional Area (2015). Corinne has been involved in music education and arts administration for over 30 years and brings her exceptional and substantial experience to all the programs that NECOM offers. She is an experienced HSC and senior marker, was a member of the HSC Music Examination committee and has contributed to the curriculum evaluation and development of the NSW Music syllabuses. Corinne has an interest in new Australian music and through her various roles has commissioned many works from leading Australian composers. In 2017 her career in music education was recognised with the ASME NSW Barbara Mettam Award for Excellence in Music Teaching.
SOPHIE WILLIAMS, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Sophie joined NECOM in 2016 having migrated up the hill from Bellingen with her family. Having worked in not-for-profit organisations including Arts Mid North Coast and National Heart Foundation, Sophie brings her skills in financial management, HR, IT and business administration to NECOM. As the Finance and Administration Manager she is responsible for the management of all financial processes and reporting requirements and the management of administration operations. Sophie enjoys implementing business improvement capabilities to adapt to organisational needs. While she has not yet mastered a musical instrument, she enjoys being outside mountain biking, hiking and camping in her free time.
CHRISTINE DAVIDSON, MUSIC PROGRAM OFFICER
Originally from Sydney, Christine has an extensive musical background playing the viola, piano, cornet and baritone and as a chorister. She has extensive arts administration experience having worked with the Sydney Theatre Company, Elizabethan Theatre Trust Orchestras, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Musica Viva. After a move to Cairns, Qld and a few years working in personnel and hospitality, she returned to NSW and moved into music education administration at the Blue Mountains Conservatorium and the music department at Blue Mountains Grammar School, where she remained for 22 years. In 2018 Christine moved with her family from the Blue Mountains to Armidale. As she was a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra during her teenage years and, more recently, was involved in community orchestras in Cairns and the Blue Mountains, she is now very pleased to be part of the wonderful community music groups in Armidale, including the Armidale Symphony Orchestra.
NICKY PRICE, ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Originally from England, Nicky attended NEGS in Armidale as a secondary student going on to study and work in Sydney before returning to Armidale in 2011 with her family. Since then Nicky worked for ARM Advertising, Rural Press Ltd (Fairfax Media) in various roles from sales support and as Advertising Manager of features for Northern and New England region of NSW. As the NECOM Administration Officer, Nicky has brought her extensive experience in reception, advertising, database management and many more skills to this diverse role.