Irene Solowij

Manager

Irene Solowij is the Manager of South Australia’s iconic Primary Schools Music Festival and is a dedicated advocate for arts education for young people.

With over 30 years of experience in education and the arts (education and management), Irene is a skilled project manager, with a proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget, embracing challenges with enthusiasm and resilience. Irene possesses a strong understanding of project management methodologies and tools, allowing her to effectively plan, execute, and monitor projects from initiation to closure. With excellent communication and leadership abilities, she thrives in cross-functional teams, coordinating resources and ensuring seamless collaboration. Known for her problem-solving skills and ability to mitigate risks, she consistently drives for successful project outcomes.

In 2018, Irene won the position of Manager of the Primary Schools Music Festival, where she continues to lead by example, spearheading initiatives aimed at providing life-long memories and transformative experiences for countless students. Her dedication, coupled with her commitment, has left an indelible mark on the lives of many primary aged students in South Australia, embodying the true essence of making a difference through the power of arts and education.

In 2021 Irene coordinated the ‘Festival of Music’ concert series at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The largest stage build within the venue, holding up to 2,000 public primary school choristers, a 100 piece orchestra and a dance troupe of 60 students per concert.

Robyn Filmer

Director of Music

Director of Music

Cathy Lange

Assistant Director of Music

Assistant Director of Music

Anne O'Dea

Production Manager

Anne is a very passionate member of the PSMF team and has been since 2003. 

Working with teachers and students during the festival series of rehearsal and concerts is a definite highlight each year. 

As Production Manager Anne is responsible for overseeing all the student movement throughout the venue as well as on and off stage.  She manages a group of dedicated teachers as Concert Managers and prepares all the associated logistical documents for the smooth running of the Festival Concert Series and associated rehearsals. 

Anne organises and inducts the many volunteers who also help behind the scenes. 

The Production Team works hard with teachers and carers to make sure any student who wants to perform, gets that opportunity! 

Anne is currently teaching at Ardtornish Primary school as the Music/Drama specialist, teaching for 3 ½ days per week. 

She runs 3 choirs (Yr. 1/2, Yr. 3/4, and the Yr. 5/6 Festival Choir) and a beginner band. Most ensembles rehearse school. Anne also coordinates the school’s instrumental music program.

Anne has been involved with Music Festival in a variety of roles:

• Chorister in 1975 when in Yr. 7 at Magill Primary School
• Choir teacher since 1988
• Compere mentor (1999 – 2007)
  • Compere Manager (2001 – 2003)
• Acting/Assistant Manager for different periods of time between 2003 and 2015
• Board member as teacher rep (2000-2003)
  • Board member as Production Manager (2003 – 2019)
• Concert Manager (2003 – 2017)
• Production Manager (2003 – present)

In her spare time Anne loves cycling, playing netball and lawn bowls, cheering on the Adelaide Crows as well as spending quality time with family and friends.

Maria Stone

Troupe Manager

Troupe Manager

Michael McConnochie

Orchestra Manager

Orchestra Manager

Kristin Hayward

Office Coordinator

Kristin’s role as Office Coordinator allows her to talk all day, which is good, as that is what she is best at.   As a parochial South Australian who participated in the Festival of Music in 1983, she is thrilled to now be behind the scenes working with an official state icon. Kristin joined the PSMF team in 2016 after a 6 year stint in Learning Improvement Division. 

Regina Rose

Office Admin

Office Admin

Chad Lofts

IT Guru, and so much more

IT Guru, and so much more

Heidi von Bernewitz

Development and Marketing

Heidi von Bernewitz - Development and Marketing

Joanne Kay

The SAPPS Choir Admin

The SAPPS Choir Admin

Terena Pope

President

Principal of Clovelly Park PS

Simon Smith

Treasurer

I worked in finance roles in SA Government (Forestry, Health) for 20 years and then as an auditor in a private practice for 20 years.  I am currently an hourly paid instructor accompanist for the Primary Schools Music Festival.  I like to demonstrate passion and enthusiasm to help students grow to love music and the arts.  In my role as a board member, I bring previous board experience and a financial background with exposure to many not-for-profit and community organisations.

Irene Solowij

Manager PSMF

Irene Solowij is the Manager of South Australia’s iconic Primary Schools Music Festival and is a dedicated advocate for arts education for young people.

With over 30 years of experience in education and the arts (education and management), Irene is a skilled project manager, with a proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget, embracing challenges with enthusiasm and resilience. Irene possesses a strong understanding of project management methodologies and tools, allowing her to effectively plan, execute, and monitor projects from initiation to closure. With excellent communication and leadership abilities, she thrives in cross-functional teams, coordinating resources and ensuring seamless collaboration. Known for her problem-solving skills and ability to mitigate risks, she consistently drives for successful project outcomes.

In 2018, Irene won the position of Manager of the Primary Schools Music Festival, where she continues to lead by example, spearheading initiatives aimed at providing life-long memories and transformative experiences for countless students. Her dedication, coupled with her commitment, has left an indelible mark on the lives of many primary aged students in South Australia, embodying the true essence of making a difference through the power of arts and education.

In 2021 Irene coordinated the ‘Festival of Music’ concert series at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The largest stage build within the venue, holding up to 2,000 public primary school choristers, a 100 piece orchestra and a dance troupe of 60 students per concert.

Robyn Filmer

Director of Music - PSMF

Director of Music - PSMF

Megan Callan

Choir Teacher/HPI Representative

I began working with PSMF in 2009 as an Hourly Paid Instructor (HPI) and worked at multiple schools in the Northern suburbs. Currently, I am a Music specialist as The Arts teacher at Mark Oliphant College. 

Stephen Measday

Life Member Representative

My name is Stephen Measday and I am on the Board as a ‘’Life Member’. I am now retired but I was an educator with the Department for Education for 47 years and a school principal or departmental officer for 38 years. I have worked from Pre school to Year 12, in metro, country and remote schools, and I have extensive experience in gifted education, curriculum, personnel, school management and project management. I have also enjoyed working internationally. 
As a school leader I have been strongly committed to the Festival of Music Program throughout my career. I have been a Board member for eight years and was President for five years. Being able to provide some support to the Festival is a huge privilege and this has given me many wonderful experiences. 

Stephen Measday

Kristie Fudge

Seconded Board Member

Kristie is a primary school teacher who is currently working as a Music Education Coach for the Department’s Music Education Strategy. She has been involved with the Primary Schools Music Festival in various ways since 2001, and is currently Music Director for the Southern Metropolitan Music Festival, one of the PSMF’s regional festivals.

Di Scott

Principal Representative

Principal Representative - Tea Tree Gully PS

Michelle Parkes

Principal Representative

I have worked in education for over 20 years and currently hold the position of Principal at Pooraka Primary School. I'm highly passionate about education, particularly through the lens of The Arts. I have a personal background in music, completing my own schooling with a specialisation of music, playing the piano and flute.  This year at Pooraka, we have been successful in getting our choir re-established and into the festival for the first time in a while.

I'm very excited to be on the Primary Schools Music Festival Board.

Mel Evans

Principal Representative

Principal Representative - Norwood Primary

Graeme Fenton

Principal Representative

Principal Representative - Golden Grove Primary