Introduction

Sandra has had a long association with choral music as a singer, accompanist and conductor. She has worked throughout Australia, and has been actively involved with both educational institutions and community choirs.

She holds a Masters degree with a major in Choral Conducting and Methodology from the University of Queensland, as well a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England where she specialised in musicology and ethnomusicology.

Sandra is actively involved in promoting and fostering choral music. She has a strong interest in and commitment to, providing music education for conductors; fostering youth, community and women's choirs; and developing initiatives to ensure that choral music maintains a high cultural and community profile. Sandra has been treasurer of the Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod, a member of the State Council of the Music Teacher’s Association of Queensland and a member of ANCA Queensland committee.

In 1999 Sandra worked as a part-time lecturer at the University of Queensland, where she conducted Concentus, the University’s premier choir. She is currently the musical director of both the Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choir and the Bayside Divas women's choir.

In 2001, Sandra was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship that enabled her to spend four months visiting world-renowned choirs in England, Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA.

Blackstone Ipswich Cambrian Choir

The Blackstone Ipswich Cambrian Choir was established in 1886 and is reputedly Queensland's longest continuously performing choir. The present choir is the result of very early amalgamations between two smaller groups, and today is experiencing a resurgence of pride in its Welsh Heritage. The choir's repertoire ranges through modern selections, musicals and opera to sacred works such as Haydn's "Creation".

The Bayside Divas

The Bayside Divas is a Brisbane-based women's choir performing mainly contemporary a cappella music in and around the bayside area of Sandgate. The choir is committed to making beautiful music and to providing an opportunity for women of all backgrounds to participate in the joy of singing and performing. The choir inspires and enriches its audiences in the Bayside area through its concerts, recordings and its appearances at community events.

Choral Director