JESSA is a group of passionate choral musicians, focussing on modern classical repertoire.
Meet JESSA
MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR
Jane Edwards
Jane is a Hobart-based singing teacher specialising in classical and music theatre voice. As a singer, she has performed at every major Australian festival, with all our symphony orchestras, and as a long-time member of The Song Company. Career highlights include engagements with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Stockholm Bach Choir, Danish Radio Choir, Brodsky Quartet and Victoria State Opera. She also has a significant discography, and can be heard in the Oscar winning film Shine.
For many years, Jane was a Lecturer at Sydney Conservatorium and, prior to that, at Wollongong University. Most recently, she was Coordinator of Classical and Music Theatre Voice at the Conservatorium of Music, UTAS. Her teaching studio has produced many singers who have been finalists and winners in major Australian and overseas competitions, and a number have progressed to international success. Jane’s studio continues to populate Australian conservatoria and music theatre schools with Tasmanian singers each year.
An accomplished pianist, Jane loves working with singers, and sharing the platform with them as associate artist. She’s also a passionate choral conductor, having founded the UTAS Conservatorium Vocal Ensemble, and previously directing The Hutchins School Senior SATB Choir and St Michael’s Collegiate Singers.
PIANIST
SARAH CHICK
Sarah is a young pianist, accompanist and piano teacher who has just graduated with a Bachelor of Music in classical piano performance. During her studies at the University of Tasmania, she was the recipient of the Conservatorium of Music scholarship. Piano has been Sarah’s principal instrument since she was six years old, originally studying under teacher Lynette Smith, with whom she received her AMusA (2020). In recent years Sarah has been taught by Shan Deng, under whom she was winner of the 2023 Ossa Music Prize. As part of this award, Sarah undertook a solo concert tour of Tasmania, presenting her winning programme, championing female composers.
Under the guidance of Karen Smithies, Sarah began working professionally as an accompanist in 2021, becoming repetiteur for the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra’s Junior Chorale. In addition, Sarah has worked as musical director for local choirs including Tonic, and Nelson Sound, and has accompanied numerous Hobart instrumentalists and singers. She also enjoys playing chamber music, being awarded first place in the 2023 Hobart Eisteddfod Open Chamber Music category. She also successfully auditioned as pianist for the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2024 chamber ensemble program and national camp. Sarah has also enjoyed singing in choirs, including The Friends’ School's Bella Voce, Gondwana National Choirs and TSO Chorus.
In 2024, Sarah will be extending her piano studies, undertaking Honours in Music. She will continue to teach her many young piano students, as well as join Team JESSA as their pianist.
CHORISTERS
Alice Skinner
Anne Morgan
Arianne James
Cate Young
Charlotte McKercher
Courtney Brown
Eli Horne
Ellie Rose
Emily Braithwaite
Estelle Levy
Esther Colbourn
Grace Burdick
Grace Ovens
Gracie Middleton
Gudrun Barratt-Peacock
Hannah Krishnan
Jo Legosz
Johanna van Tienen
Joy Barber-Milojevic
Judy Milton
Karen Jones
Kate Sinclair
Kerry Bennett
Kitty Atkinson
Leigh Lazarus
Leila Norman
Mardi McSullea
Marisa McArthur
Sarah Morrisby
Sebastian Allen
Stephanie Arnold
Stephanie Hutchinson
Tess Archer