2021 SFYP Programme

MRS MERCEDES PORTER Mercedes started playing piano at four and a half years old and proceeded to add violin and viola to her repertoire. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Criminology, as well as a Bachelor of Education, followed by a Master of Education. Mercedes has taught in classroom music in both junior and secondary schools and especially enjoys seeing children develop their musicianship from year to year. Mercedes always looks forward to adjudicating at the Festival as she was one of the participants at the very first Somerset Festival for Young Performers and has fond memories of her experience. MS ANNE ROWE Anne has been involved with the teaching of both classroom music and instrumental music at Somerset and several schools in Western Australia. She has conducted concert band for many years, and is still involved performing in orchestras and concert bands on the Gold Coast. Anne has also been involved in the production of many musicals either as accompanist or on bassoon in the orchestra. Anne is always enthusiastic about encouraging young performers. MS JENNY SONG Jenny has always enjoyed and loved performing in all aspects of the performing arts, from musical instruments, theatre, dance, singing, to speech and drama. She has completed examinations in Trinity, AMEB and AGME in many disciplines. She is currently studying at University of Queensland and is delighted to be back at the Somerset Festival for Young Performers where she performed for many years. MRS LINDA VAN VIERSEN Linda Van Viersen has been teaching speech and drama, effective communication and musical theatre for a number of years including Saint Stephens, Trinity Lutheran, A.B.Paterson and St Hildas School. Linda has always been involved in the performing arts as a musician, singer and actress and basically all things creative. She has been an active participant in both drama and musical theatre productions on the Gold Coast. Linda is looking forward to once again adjudicating at the Somerset Festival. MS HAYLEY WALLACE Hayley loves sharing her passion for dance as a current Dance Teacher here at Somerset College. Since a very young age, Hayley has grown up dancing in all styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Classical Pointe, Hip Hop and Tap through the ATOD syllabus under Dian Parker at Northern Rivers Dance Studio in NSW. Since graduating Year 12 at High School, Hayley pursued a professional dance career by moving to the sunny Gold Coast to train full-time with Anthony Ikin at Global Dance Pro, where she gained her CUA40113 Certificate IV in Dance, SIS30315 Certificate III in Fitness and the SIS40215 Certificate IV in Fitness Qualifications. Having these credentials opened many doors for Hayley where she gained a position on the Somerset dance staff team in 2017. Hayley also pursued her training further by obtaining her TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment where she worked as Trainer, Assessor and Compliance Manager for the full-time dance course at Global Dance Pro. Hayley has also had the opportunity to work as a professional dancer for multiple entertainment companies throughout QLD including Village Roadshow Theme Parks at Warner Bros Movie World and has performed as a Hogs Breath Sirens Cheerleader for the NRL Gold Coast Titans Football team. She now represents Chase Creations Agency working as a professional dancer and promotional model for multiple events throughout QLD and NSW. Hayley continues to be a part of the dance teaching faculty at Somerset College, teaching multiple styles of dance for different age levels. She also continues to seek professional work as a performer through her agency. In her down time, Hayley loves to enjoy being creative with face painting and balloon twisting as a children’s princess birthday party entertainer working for Paradise Kids Entertainment.

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