Directors and Board

Company Directors

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  Judith Curphey OAM
  Founding Director

  At the age of 55, after a career in music and drama education spanning 30 years, Judith decided to form a girls' choir which would have an emphasis not only on singing but also dance and presentation. Her aim was to create a choir known for its unique Australian sound (as distinguished from English Cathedral). She envisaged a national choir, with a common repertoire and polished choreography.

  Judith still plays an integral role with repertoire selection, performance direction and staff mentoring. Judith was honoured on Australia Day 2004, when she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to music, particularly through the Australian Girls Choir.

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  Jane Curphey
  Company Director

  Jane has been involved with the Australian Girls Choir since its inception in 1984. Initially she acted as a sounding board to Judith during creation of her new choral enterprise. This role was formalised with the establishment of a Proprietary Limited company in 1989, with Jane as Company Director and Judith as Artistic Director.

  As Chair of her local School Council, Jane saw the potential to deliver performing arts programs to schools as well as the broader community. It was a long-term aim to take the AGC ideals and teaching methods to children across Australia. The renaming of the company as Australian School of Performing Arts and establishment of a3 and Girls from Oz is the realisation of these dreams. For over 20 years Jane’s dedication and strategic business skills have enabled this organisation to walk the fine line between artistic credibility and financial viability.

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  Nicole Muir
  Managing Director

  Nicole's background is varied with post graduate qualifications in arts and education, as well as experience as an actor, teacher and facilitator. Nicole's career in arts management began with the Australian Girls Choir in 1994; she has directed five international and two national tours and has been involved in the filming of four Qantas advertising campaigns.

  Nicole’s role today is to work with the Senior Management Team and the Advisory Board to manage the running of ASPA; her focus is on business development, staff management and training. Nicole’s enthusiasm and aptitude for growing and promoting the range of services provided by ASPA has enabled the success of new ventures and contributed to the development of Girls from Oz. She loves the challenges associated with leading this vibrant organisation and is particularly proud of the passion, talent and dedication that is consistently displayed by the national staff team.

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Advisory Board

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  Nigel Milan AM
  Chair

  Nigel had a distinguished career in broadcasting, in both the public and private sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Nigel was Managing Director of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) from 1998 to 2006, and prior to this he was CEO of Radio New Zealand. In 1996, Nigel was named Radio Broadcaster of the Year for his service to New Zealand’s broadcasting industry; an earlier award in Australia, named him Media Executive of the Year.

  Nigel has previously held the positions of CEO at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Chairman of the Fred Hollows Foundation, Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, member of the Advisory Board of the Australian Walkley Awards for Journalism, Trustee of the Australian Museum, and President of Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters (now CRA). Nigel’s current position is with the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA) as CEO, as well as being a board member with Special Olympics Australia.

  On Australia Day 2010, Nigel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Australian radio and television industries, and to the community, particularly eye-health, medical and arts organisations. Nigel’s association began with the AGC in 1998 when his daughter was a member of the choir and he is pleased to now contribute to the ongoing success of ASPA as Chair of the Advisory Board.
   

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  Robyn Watts
  Non-Executive Board Member

  Robyn Watts has held CEO and Executive and Non Executive Director positions throughout her career in the Australian media industry. At the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Robyn was Executive Director of Content Rights Management and ABC Enterprises until 2007. Prior to this Robyn was CEO of Southern Star Sales, the division of the Southern Star Group which she established for the publicly listed media company. Previously Robyn was Director Marketing, Sales and Distribution at Film Australia and the Tasmanian Film Corporation.

  Robyn is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Australian School of Performing Arts, a member of the Board of Governors of the ANU Endowment for Excellence and a member of the Board of the Holdsworth Community Centre. She has been a Board member of Screenrights, Australian Film, Television & Radio School and Screen Producers’ Association of Australia. Robyn is also a member of the Australian Advisory Group of the Country Music Association of America.

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