2025 Adjudicators
Vocal and Choral - Dr Rachel Campbell
Speech and Drama - Tracey-Lee McKinney
Junior Dance Groups - Darren McIntryre
Junior Dance Solos - Natalie Bale
Senior Dance Solos - Darren McIntryre
Senior Dance Groups - Natalie Bale
Woodwind/ Brass/ Bands/ Guitar - Stephen Smith
Strings/ Piano - Elizabeth Green
Darren McIntyre- Senior Dance Solos and Junior Dance Groups
Originally from Port Macquarie, Australia, Darren McIntyre is a graduate of The Australian Ballet School where he was the recipient of The Dame Peggy Van Praagh Award for Choreography, The Sir Robert Helpmann Bursary & the Young Australian of The Year Arts Award.
Mr. McIntyre has toured extensively throughout the United States, Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and South America, performing a wide range of both classical and contemporary works as a freelance artist and with such companies as Louisville Ballet (KY-USA), City Ballet of San Diego (CA-USA), Milwaukee Ballet (WI-USA), The Australian Ballet Dancers Company, The National Ballet of Ireland, The Landestheater Detmold in Germany and Ajkun Ballet Theatre in New York City, USA.
Darren performed with New York City’s Experience “The Ride“(Actor | Entertainer) and was honored to be featured as an original cast member (Actor | Dancer) in the world premiere and the first Australian Tour of the new Australian hit production “BANJO” (in the role of Banjo Paterson), presented by Got Ya Back Productions, written and produced by Tim Maddren and directed by Nicholas Christo.
As an International Choreographer, Darren has created several original works and full-length productions and has also held the positions of Artistic Director of Ballet Pensacola (FL-USA), Artistic Director, Montgomery Ballet (AL-USA); Interim Artistic Director, Lake Erie Ballet (PA-USA); Artistic Associate, Fort Wayne Ballet (IN-USA), Columnist with DANCEtrain Magazine; Casting Agent at DManagement International Dance Agency and was invited to be on the National Adjudicators List for Regional Dance America.
Presently, Mr. McIntyre travels worldwide as a freelance Performer, Choreographer/Repetiteur, Ballet Master/Coach, Teacher, Director & Adjudicator. Complete information about Mr. McIntyre can be viewed at www.darren-mcintyre.com
Natalie Bale -Junior Solos and Senior Dance Groups
Natalie Bale RAD RTS, Comdance (C.S.T.D), Acrobatic Arts M1, PBT (Progressing Ballet technique) certification.
Natalie is a registered Comdance (CSTD) teacher, holding her Certificate and Full Teachers Diploma and is also a registered RAD (Royal Academy of Dancing) teacher and mentor for candidates doing the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies.
In addition, Natalie has a Performing Arts Diploma with Brent St School of Arts, (Sydney) and holds Acrobatic Arts Certification. (Module 1).
She has also completed Level 1 Teacher and practitioner training, Level 2 Flexibility and Level 2 Training Turnout in Tiny Dancers courses with Dance Physio Lisa Howell and also completed Progressing Ballet Technique Certification with Marie Walton-Mahon.
Natalie regularly travels interstate and overseas to adjudicate dance competitions and teach workshops.
She has taught for over 30 years in all genres. She is regularly updating her skills and attending ongoing training as she believes this is crucial to being a good teacher.
She is a proud Studio owner in Melbourne Australia and has also just launched her own Talent Agency.
She has performed and choreographed for many events – Highlights include Choreographing for Disney’s Carols In the Domain (Ch 7, Sydney), Rock Eisteddfods, Television Pilots, Night club Appearances, Back –up Dancer for Singer Nikki Bennett, Opening Ceremony for Sydney 2000.
Natalie enjoys watching and nurturing new talent and is excited to adjudicate in Dubbo for the first time.
Dr Rachel Campbell - Vocal Adjudicator
A multidisciplinary practitioner, Dr Rachel Campbell is passionate about the transformative power of the arts for people of all ages. She is a sought-after music educator, adjudicator, examiner, and choral director, and lectures in Cultural Studies at the University of Canberra
Dr Campbell is the co-founder and co-artistic director The Australian Voice Collective, which was formed in 2018. Their short film ‘The Sound of Silence’ went viral in 2020 receiving nearly 40 000 views. The Australian Voice Collective has also screened a feature film ‘Hello? It’s me, The Universe’, performed an original stage show ‘Still, We Rise’, and created other video content, all created by Dr Campbell and her co-artistic director, screenwriter Paul Bissett. Their film, ‘A Little While Longer…’ premiered in 2023.
Dr Campbell has extensive experience as the director of many ensembles in Canberra, including the Australian Rugby Choir with whom she travelled to Cornwall in 2019 as a featured international choir at the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival. She was also the specialist choral director and adviser to the ACT Department of Education through the 'Step into the Limelight' program (the ACT’s version of the Schools Spectacular), where she conducted a children's chorus of 400 and directed the Featured Artists.
Tracey-Lee McKinney - Speech and Drama Adjudicator
Tracy-Lee is currently teaching Speech and Drama at Kinross Wolaroi Private School in Orange.
She was born in Sydney and has been performing professionally since the age of 12.
She has studied Classical Ballet, National Character, Demi Character, Jazz, Tap as well as Irish and Highland dancing with the Langshaw Dancing School, Ransleys and Prue Bowen completing her RAD teachers with Ms Bowen at Ecole Classique.
Tracy also studied Elocution with Mrs Yvonne Duffy LTD, and singing with Dolores Cambridge from the Sydney Conservatorium.
At an early age she started performing in musicals, light operas and later, Cabaret and has travelled extensively abroad.
Tracy has been teaching for over 30 years and has attained her ARAD and Licentiate Diplomas in Tap and Modern with the ADA and Licentiate in Speech & Drama with the IMEB and AGMS.
Elizabeth Green - Piano and String Adjudicator
Elizabeth Green is an Australian pianist, piano teacher and examiner based in Sydney. She
studied piano and violin at the Juilliard School and the Royal College of Music, and played violin
and viola in student orchestras at both places as well as the Norwalk Youth Symphony orchestra
and the Connecticut All-State Orchestra. She has released three CDs of Australian piano music
and her research on Schumann’s Album for the Young formed the basis of a recording of this
work, played by string quartet, released by Toccata Classics in London. She has taught at the
universities of Sydney, NSW, Western Sydney, and Wollongong. She has many years of
experience in adjudicating at Eisteddfods.
Stephen Smith- Woodwind/ Brass/ Bands/ Guitar Adjudicator
Stephen attended the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Trombone Performance. In 2008, he embraced an opportunity to gain experience in regional NSW, joining the Macquarie Conservatorium in Dubbo. It was there that his interest in conducting began when he was invited to lead the local town band. Under his direction, the struggling brass band evolved into a thriving concert band, ultimately winning its category at the NSW State Band Championships in 2014. He also played a key role in developing multiple band programs through his work at the Macquarie Conservatorium.
In 2015, Stephen returned to Sydney to pursue a Master of Music Studies in Wind Ensemble Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, becoming the first person to graduate from an Australian tertiary institution with a postgraduate degree specialising in conducting wind ensembles. His outstanding achievements were recognised with the prestigious Alan Bellhouse Award for a Young Conductor. During his studies, he conducted the Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony, the Sydney University Wind Orchestra, and the Sydney Conservatorium Brass Ensemble.
Following the completion of his Master of Music Studies in 2017, Stephen undertook a Master of Teaching in Secondary Music Education, which he completed in 2020. He is currently a full-time music educator at Moriah College, where he conducts various ensembles, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Tour Band, while also assisting with the Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, and Intermediate Band. In addition to conducting, Stephen serves as a classroom teacher and low brass tutor.
Stephen has extensive experience working with ensembles of all levels. From 2016 to 2021, he conducted the Northern Sydney Symphonic Wind Ensemble’s Primary Wind Ensemble (students in Grades 4–6) and is currently a guest artist for their Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Wind Ensembles. He has also been a regular guest conductor at Barker College’s Music camps, working with bands ranging from junior to senior levels. Additionally, he has collaborated with ensembles at The University of New South Wales, Our Lady of Mercy College and Kegworth Primary School.
With a passion for musical excellence and education, Stephen continues to inspire and mentor young musicians, fostering their technical and artistic growth.