Jonathon Welch
Jonathon is not only an extremely gifted singer and entertainer but has distinguished himself in the field of choral music as well. He is well known as the Founding Music Director of the inspiring Aria, Logie & Helpmann Award winning Choir Of Hard Knocks. Jonathan us also one of the judges on Seven Network’s extremely successful “Battle of the Choirs”.

Jonathon is winner of the Anzac of the Year Award 2008, RMIT Communicator of the Year 2008, John Campbell Fellowship ‘MO’ Award and Limelight Award 2007 to name a few. He was also awarded the Australian of the Year Local Hero 2008.

With a diverse career spanning 30 years in the music industry, there are not many areas of music that Jonathon Welch hasn't been involved with, and doesn't love! Considered one of the finest tenors of his generation, Jonathon's credits include some 70 roles with most State Opera Companies and Opera Australia. He has performed with some of the world's most highly regarded singers, directors and conductors including Dame Joan Sutherland, k.d.lang, Baz Luhrman, Graeme Murphy, Richard Bonynge, Anne Murray and Jimmy Somerville.

Born and educated in Melbourne, Jonathon began his singing career with Victoria State Opera joining their first Australian tour of 'Pirates of Penzance' in 1984 with Jon English, June Bronhill and Marina Prior.

Jonathon completed a Post Graduate Degree in Music at Queensland Conservatorium of Music studying with Donald Smith. The following years led him to win some of Australia's most coveted performing scholarships, including the Young Artists Program with Opera of Queensland. After studying in Germany and London, Jonathon then joined Opera Australia's Young Artist Program in 1988 where he made his debut with Dame Joan Sutherland in 'The Merry Widow'.

Today Jonathon integrates a busy singing career with performances throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia with Tenor Australis. He is also in great demand speaking, teaching and conducting in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA with many of his students going on to work professionally in the music theatre, television and recording industry around the globe. With a deep commitment to the community and youth music education, Jonathon has directed some of Australia's finest community choirs, also creating the Australian Pop Choir, Pop Kidz and the Sydney Street Choir prior to his return to his "hometown" of Melbourne where he has created the Choir of Hard Knocks.

The Choir of Hard Knocks
Jonathon Welch will share his story in a keynote presentation. The keynote will inspire and motivate – anyone can achieve and a group, a team, can achieve even more. Be inspired by those who we would otherwise see as the down and out in society, people we would cross the street to avoid! Let Jonathon take you on his journey how he not only won the hearts of 50 people who were seen as “invisible” or a burden on our society, as well as the whole nation with the “Choir of Hard Knocks” story that inspired and moved the country.

Jonathon says, “as many of the participants come from marginalised and often financially difficult backgrounds, it is my hope that the joy and euphoria that music making in a group dynamic will give a sense of purpose, structure and respect to their lives and help them look forward to belonging to a 'family' - albeit a musical one!“

“Choir of Hard Knocks also gives the audience and public at large an opportunity to see the other side of those who are disadvantaged and discover the powerful and moving stories of those who will be given a voice, in more ways than one. To be recognised, appreciated and applauded for what we do in life has to be the essence of any human being's sense of self respect and self worth.”

The Choir of Hard Knocks has played to sold out multiple shows in Melbourne and at the Sydney Opera House. For many of the choir members being invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House was the first time they had travelled. The Choir have also produced a top selling album, The Choir of Hard Knocks.

Glenn Capelli
Pre-conference Workshop - Tuesday

A professional speaker, author, songwriter, radio and television presenter and creator of Dynamic Thinking, Glenn Capelli has delivered a message of creativity, innovation and thinking smarter to audiences around the world. In 1987 Glenn was awarded the prestigious Winston Churchill Fellowship, which he used to further his research into better ways of thinking and learning. With a career as a professional speaker for more than 20 years, Glenn Capelli has emerged as an expert educator in Thinking and Learning Skills and has become Australia’s most awarded professional speaker : a two-time state winner of Speaker of the Year, the inaugural Educator of the Year recipient in 2006 and winner of the 2007 Nevin Award – the Australian Professional Speaking Industry’s highest achievement honour. His award winning cable television series ‘Born to Learn’ aired weekly to an audience of over 26 million households across the USA, while his current program "Thinking Caps" goes out around Australia on the ABC network each week. His clients range from the most remote outback schools of Australia to the biggest corporate organizations in the world. Glenn uses his unique, involving, humorous and entertaining presentation style to teach audiences to become more flexible thinkers, leaders and life-long learners in today’s crazy, fast paced world.

Panel Session - The safety of Indian students studying in Australia