Andy Stewart – President

Andy moved to Perth, from Zimbabwe, in 2008 and was introduced to the world of Orff at a one-day PD. Before she knew it, she was on the WAOSA committee as the Orff West Editor and later held the Executive role of WAOSA President. Andy has completed her Orff Level’s and had the joy of completing David Spurgeon’s Dance course in Sydney.   Andy has a particular interest in Dance and Creative Movement, and she has presented on this subject at many WAOSA workshops. Andy is currently the Junior School Music Co-ordinator at Iona Presentation College.

Anita Newhouse – Vice President & Orff West Blog Editor

Anita is currently Head of Music at Grace Christian School in Bunbury. Her teaching experience is diverse, having taught Pre-Kindergarten through to University students in both classical and contemporary programs.

Anita has been using the Orff approach for almost 20 years, as it aligns with her desire to make music learning accessible to all. She is a past president and committee member of WAOSA. In her spare time, Anita also volunteers for ANCA (WA) as secretary.

Eboney Yapp – Secretary

Eboney has been the Coordinator of Preparatory School Music at Christ Church Grammar School, Western Australia since 2018. Prior to this, she was the Junior School Music Teacher at All Saints’ College for 4 years. Eboney holds a Bachelor of Music Education (First Class Honours) from the University of Western Australia. She is also a member of Consort Cantare, a female vocal group comprising of six music teachers. She first discovered Orff-Schulwerk in 2012 through the University of Western Australia and has completed Levels 1,2 and 3 in Western Australia and Level 4 in Victoria. Eboney has also completed Primary Level 1 and 2 of the Australian Kodály Certificate and believes all children have the right to access quality Music education which is inclusive, engaging and meaningful.

Tanya Harte – Treasurer

Nadia Dewitt – Membership

Nadia is the Music Specialist at South Lake Primary School. She has been teaching for over ten years in the classroom and Music Teacher roles. Growing up Nadia learnt flute and percussion and now has a passion for ukulele where she integrates it in her teaching. Nadia graduated from Edith Cowan University in 2014. Upon graduation she sought professional development in Music pedagogy where she found WAOSA. After attending professional learning sessions, Nadia realised the ORFF principals and pedagogy aligned with her own. Nadia has completed three ANCOS levels and is excited to share her passion and knowledge with other educators.

Natalie Tran – Website & Social Media Manager

Natalie has been a Music Specialist since 2012. After graduating with a Double Degree in Education and Music (Jazz Saxophone & Contemporary Vocals) from ECU/WAAPA, she worked at Swan Valley Anglican Community School, Canning Vale Primary School and now holds a full time position at Rossmoyne Primary School. Natalie’s first encounter with Orff Schulwerk was at the Voices of the Swan Conference in 2012 and soon after joined the WAOSA Committee. She has completed three ANCOS Level Courses and has also completed the three Levels of the Australian Kodály Primary Certificate. Natalie finds immense joy in singing, saying, dancing and playing the Orff way and sharing her love music to her students in all the ways she knows how.

Amanda Johnston – Levels Co-ordinator

Amanda currently teaches Music at Treeby Primary School, working with students from Kindy to Year Six. Amanda began teaching after returning from several years living overseas, where she was involved in a number of Arts projects, including show choirs and youth musical theatre. She was introduced to Orff-Schulwerk in 2019 after completing Level One and has since completed all four ANCOS Levels. She joined the WAOSA Committee in 2021. When not teaching, Amanda is the founder and conductor of Tone Deft, a women’s choir specialising in pop and musical theatre.

Holly Booker – Student Representative

Katherine Anson – General Member

Katherine has been a teacher for over 30 years in general classroom as well as a music specialist in Qld, NSW and WA. She is currently the Music Specialist at Secret Harbour Primary teaching Year 1-6. Katherine has an instrumental background in brass and has been involved in community music making all her life.

Katherine’s journey with Orff began in the late 1990’s in Qld attending workshops and completing her Level 1 in 2000. She finally achieved her Level 4 in 2023 in WA.  She has loved the journey Orff has led her on and most importantly the ORFF-ly nice people she’s met along the way and learnt so much from.  Katherine is excited to be a part of the committee and looks forward to the next adventure in her Orff journey.

Stephanie Balfour – General Member

Stephanie graduated from UWA and has worked as a music specialist at Christ Church Grammar School since 2009. She has taught from Pre-Kindy to Year 12, but currently works three days per week across the Early Years ( Pre- Kindy – Year 2) Stephanie has also taught music to pre-service teachers at Notre Dame University. She was introduced to the Orff approach whilst on prac, and learnt the principals and pedagogy from one of the founding members of WAOSA, Helen Wilson. Stephanie has three young children and has so far completed Orff Level 1. She hopes to take further levels training in the future.

Michelle Beins – General Member

Michelle is a Music Specialist who graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Music Education in 2013. She is currently teaching classroom music at St Paul’s Primary School in Karratha. Michelle was first introduced to Orff Schulwerk at a workshop presented by WAOSA during her university studies and could see the value in exploring this approach further. Since then, she has completed two ANCOS Levels courses and joined the WAOSA committee in 2014, most recently holding the role of Treasurer. Michelle enjoys using Orff Schulwerk to immerse her students in music learning and to develop a life-long connection to music.

Ash Bisdee – General Member

Ash is a full-time music specialist at Aubin Grove Primary School. She has been teaching for 22 years and is especially passionate about teaching music to children of all ages to help support their musicianship as well as their well-being. Ash first experienced the magic of Orff-Schulwerk at university and joined WAOSA in 2005 as the Publicity Officer and then came back to WAOSA in 2019 as the Orff-West Blog Editor.

Ash has completed the ANCOS Level 1 to 4 Courses and loves the hands-on, fun and engaging approach that Orff offers to music education. Ash enjoys presenting for WAOSA to share her knowledge of the Orff approach and believes that music speaks to the soul and is a wonderful way for children to express themselves.

After all, “music is the one language that unites us all!”

Leah Ellery – General Member

Amy Hall – General Member

Amy is a passionate music specialist at West Leeming Primary School who believes in the power of music to support children’s social, academic, and emotional wellbeing. She spent six years in Shanghai, China, working as both a teacher and professional musician, performing original bilingual children’s music. Amy brings this rich experience to her teaching, where she delights in sharing the joy of music and encouraging each child’s best self to shine. Since being introduced to Orff-Schulwerk at Levels in 2019, she has embraced the approach wholeheartedly and can’t imagine teaching music without its creative, child-centred foundation.

Kailee Marshall – General Member

Kailee currently works at Bannister Creek Primary School as Deputy Principal. She has worked for many years as a Music specialist Teacher at Bannister Creek and other department primary schools in Perth. Her role as a Deputy allows her to advocate for the importance of a high quality music education at a higher level within her school and the department. Kailee has also worked at the University of Notre Dame for a number of years teaching Undergraduate Education students. She has been involved with WAOSA since 2012 and has held various positions within the association. Kailee has completed her Level 4 training and been lucky enough to attend various Orff conferences and workshops around Australia and overseas. When not at work Kailee enjoys singing with Consort Cantare and walking to her local cafe with her partner.

Gavin Poole – General Member

Gavin has taught music for 22 years now across the Catholic and Public systems. Currently employed at Willetton Primary School as the full time Music specialist, he works with students from year 1 through to year 6. Having grown up being involved in Music from learning the trumpet, playing in community bands, leading community bands as well as being a DJ and providing music for many people across Perth, its easy to see that Gavin lives and breathes music. Gavin is looking to expand on his knowledge and understanding of Orff Schulwerk by completing his levels in the coming years and further incorporate it into his teaching and especially with the use of drumming (djembe). Music is a universal language which we all relate to and speak in one way or another.

Lauryn Stanlake – General Member

Lauryn currently works at Bicton Primary School teaching Music to students from Kindergarten to Year 6. She grew up in Zimbabwe and learnt piano and trumpet, completing both practical and theory exams through ABRSM. Lauryn studied at the University of Western Australia and then at Edith Cowan University earning the Australian Educators Prize for Excellence in Teacher Education. Lauryn has been involved with WAOSA since completing her Level 1 in 2021 and has never looked back. Orff Schulwerk has completely changed her outlook on music education. Lauryn’s main goal is to foster a lifelong love and appreciation of music in her students. She is a wife and a mum to two beautiful young boys and enjoys cycling, camping and playing ukulele in her spare time.

Amelia Verlato – General Member

Amelia is a Music Specialist who graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education (Hons) from the University of Adelaide. She has worked in International Schools in Nanjing, Doha and Turin, where she taught Early Childhood and Primary Music and she currently teaches full time at All Saints’ College. Amelia was first introduced to the Orff Schulwerk approach at university and has never looked back!