Our teachers are music industry professionals who've worked with the best in the business. They're independent producers, sound engineers, songwriters and performers.
Full-time staff
Mr Gavin Carfoot
Gavin Carfoot previously studied and taught music and musicology at the University of Queensland, where he was awarded First Class Honours in Music, the Musicology Prize, an Australian Postgraduate Award, and a Master of Music (Research) degree that received a Dean's Commendation for Outstanding RHD Thesis. Since 2003 he has worked as a Lecturer in Popular Music within the Bachelor of Popular Music program. His interdisciplinary research crosses the disciplines of popular music studies, contemporary theory, cultural studies and sociology, with current research projects involving the study of music, material culture and everyday life. He is also active as a songwriter and producer in various styles of popular music.
Associate Professor Garry Tamlyn
Garry Tamlyn graduated with merit from the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music where he majored in clarinet performance. After undertaking post-graduate work in clarinet performance and electronic music at the University of Sydney he completed a Graduate Diploma in music education and, later, a Master of Music degree in musicology from the University of New South Wales. Garry completed his PhD at the Institute of Popular Music, Liverpool University where he was supported by an Overseas Research Scholarship awarded by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the United Kingdom. He has held full time lecturing positions in music history at the Sydney College of Advanced Education, University of New South Wales, and James Cook University. Garry has served as a Deputy Director - Gold Coast and Head of Popular Music at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University where he established the Conservatorium's Gold Coast campus and popular music programs. His research efforts are currently focussed on Australian rock and popular music.
Mr Brett Voss
Brett Voss is the recording studio technician and studio manager for the Queensland Conservatorium's Gold Coast campus. Brett has a broad range of music industry experience stretching over the last 25 years having worked as a musician, audio engineer, lighting designer and educator during this time. Spending his formative years writing and performing throughout Australia as a singer, songwriter and guitarist, he went on to formalise his music education as an early graduate of the Bachelor of Popular Music programme. He then worked as a freelance recording engineer and teacher of music technology. Brett has also worked extensively in the live production field as a lighting designer, both within Australia and internationally. Currently he is focused on his combined interests of music technology and education through continued research, teaching and creative output.
Dr Donna Weston
Donna Weston convenes the Bachelor of Popular Music program and teaches into various courses in the popular music history and analysis stream of the degree as well as theoretical and research courses in the Bachelor of Popular Music Honours program. She is also principal supervisor for a group of doctoral students whose topics range through videogame soundtracks, popular music analysis, Theosophy and music, esoteric symbolism in music, and play theory and creativity amongst others. Her own research focuses on links between popular music, pagan studies, philosophies of place, memory, and local identity.
Mr Ross Williams
Ross Williams joined Queensland Conservatorium as a fulltime academic in 2009 following a varied and interesting 40-year career in the Australian music industry. Ross has worked as Studio Manager and Director of Artist and Repertoire for a major international record company, and as Promotions and Sponsorship Coordinator for major music festivals. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Guitar and various other educational awards. He convenes Work Integrated Learning courses at the Conservatorium, currently overseeing internships at the Gold Coast and Southbank campuses. He also convenes courses in live performance, music Industry studies and popular music production.
Sessional staff
Mr Brendan Anthony
Audio production
Brendan Anthony has an established career as an industry-trained and well-recognised record producer. After completing his studies in Music Technology at the Queensland Conservatorium in 1988, Brendan went on to Rhinoceros Recordings Sydney where he worked alongside some of the world's biggest bands and producers. Following this on-the-job training, he began freelance work in 1991. His list of credits includes a range of international releases, demonstrating a wealth of experience in audio production. Brendan joined the Conservatorium in 1998, lecturing in audio production and completing a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. He takes pride in combining intuitive learning projects with real world techniques and practices.
Mr Guy Cooper
Studio sound
Guy Cooper was part of the first student cohort to graduate with a Bachelor of Popular Music (Honours) degree in 2003. He now lectures in studio sound and live performance, after previously acting as recording studio technician and studio manager. Guy has worked at many major studios in Australia, with credits including Buena Vista Social Club, Katie Noonan, Newton Falkner, Transport, Adelle and The Combovers. His production work has been awarded an LA Music Award and a MusicOz award. As a performer he has played at the Big Day Out and toured Japan and Europe. Guy has also acted as a publisher and editor of local street press, run an independent record label, and served as Vice-President of the Gold Coast Music Industry Association.
Mr Marshall Heiser
Marshall Heiser is a songwriter, arranger and performer with many of years experience creating innovative records in diverse genres including rock, jazz and country music. His original songs and productions have received national airplay and accolades from the likes of Triple J's Richard Kingsmill and Rolling Stone magazine. He has contributed to developing Music Literature courses and currently works as a lecturer and tutor within the Bachelor of Popular Music program. His PhD research investigates the opportunities and challenges facing today's generation of DIY popular musicians, and he has a forthcoming book chapter published through Equinox. Marshall also co-edited Mike Stavrou's seminal audio production text "Mixing With Your Mind."
Ms Narelle McCoy
Music history
Narelle McCoy has a background in music education and is currently working as a sessional lecturer at both the Gold Coast and Southbank campuses. Her PhD research examines Irish keening and its manifestation in the popular idiom. Narelle's research interests include the Irish Diaspora and the commercialisation and commoditisation of "Irishness", paganism in popular culture and music, and the preservation and hybridisation of cultural practices. She previously graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Education) and returned to complete a Master of Music Studies degree. Narelle has also acted as archivist and research assistant for the Conservatorium's 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Mr Garry McDonald
Songwriting, arranging and composing
Garry McDonald studied composing and orchestration at the Queensland Conservatorium in the 1970's. From 1975 to the present he has been Arranger, Guitarist and Musical Director of the iconic Allan Brown Big Band, as well as working for several years as Musical Director for both Channel 9 and Channel 7. Garry moved to Los Angeles in the 1980's and studied at the prestigious Dick Grove Music Academy, graduating with dual diplomas in Contemporary Jazz Composition and Film Composing. Since 1990 Garry McDonald and music partner Laurie Stone have worked together as composers and music producers, winning numerous awards for their film and television soundtracks - including the International Achievement Award at the 2008 APRA Screen Music Awards. Garry is currently a sessional lecturer in jazz arranging and studio musicianship at the South Bank campus, as well as the course Composing and Arranging at the Gold Coast campus.
Mr Jose McLaughlin
Popular music production and Rhythm studies
Jose McLaughlin is a former member of world-famous pop/rock group Gerry and the Pacemakers. He is an internationally renowned session musician who has worked in the major studios of London, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Sydney. His vast recording and performance credits include Chuck Berry, Duane Eddy, Marty Wilde, Freddie and the Dreamers, The Sweet, Jose Feliciano, Marcia Hines, The Doobie Brothers, Bo Diddley, Kate Ceberano, Vince Jones, Peter Allen, Nikki Hopkins (Rolling Stones), Thelma Houston, Van Dyke Parks, and more. Jose wrote the Official Australian Team Song for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games as well as scores of hit records, jingles, TV, and movie themes. He is the author of 'Short and Suite', a tutorial book containing original compositions for ensembles published by Mad Hatter. He has taught at the Queensland Conservatorium for 10 years.
Ms Lisa Ryan-McLaughlin
Vocals
Lisa Ryan-McLaughlin is a former member of well-known 1960s Australian group The Newchord Trio, and has performed in Australia and abroad with artists including Johnny O'Keefe, John Farnham, Bobby Rydell and Renee Geyer. She has made hundreds of appearances on national television, including regular performances on the Australian TV show Bandstand. Lisa ran a successful teaching studio and lectured in contemporary voice at Southern Cross University, before working as a vocal coach at Warner Village Theme Parks. She has worked as a successful composer, arranger, pianist and recording artist, winning an award for Best Vocalist at the Gold Coast Music Awards, and she was featured in the book 'Singing and Teaching in Music Theatre' by American author Joan Melton. Lisa holds a Masters in Music degree and has taught at Queensland Conservatorium for 12 years.