Access Arts Inc® - The Key to Success in the Arts

Jodi Johnstone - President

Past Community Arts Work:

• President: National Outback Performing Arts (NOPA)
• Publicity Officer: Longreach Arts Council
• Vocalist: Banjo's Outback Theatre
• Singing Tour Guide: Longreach and Outer Barcoo Tours
• Member: Sunnybank Theatre Group

Jodi has had a long history of service for arts organisations and an enduring interest in the performing arts. She has had classical vocal training from a young age, and has won awards in various talent quests and eisteddfods in the Brisbane and Central Western Queensland areas. With her work in NOPA, her singing has been broadcast on ABC Radio National across Central Western Queensland, and she has co-ordinated community arts events for NOPA at the Stockman's Hall of Fame and Longreach Arts and Crafts Centre. She was employed by Longreach and Outer Barcoo Tours as a Tour Guide and happily serenaded her passengers on these tours through the Central West Queensland region.

Her interest in music has lead to performing in community musical events of various types, including amateur musicals such as La Belle Helene. She also broadened her experience when returning to Brisbane by joining a band of workmates and having a great deal of fun jamming and performing gigs. Jodi joined Access Arts in 2003 and has been honoured to be on the Management Committee for over 3 years. She has developed a keen interest in encouraging meaningful employment for people with disabilities in the performing and visual arts, and in libraries.

• Qualifications: BSc (Australian Environmental Studies), Grad. Dip. of Library and Information Studies.
• Professional Membership: Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)
• Current Professional work: Librarian/IT Help Desk Professional - Griffith University

Hayley Kitchener - Vice-President

Hayley Kitchener is a recent graduate from The Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, and has been volunteering with Access Arts since the beginning of this year. She has conducted master classes for singers and is working on a number of projects with the aim to assist artists with a disability to establish their careers.

Hayley has had an extensive performance history ranging from singing in opera and music theatre productions to performing contemporary ballads at corporate functions and clubs. Hayley also teaches singing, piano, composition and music theory as well as composing and arranging her own work. Hayley hopes to continue performing and composing works featuring all styles of music.

Sjivonne Grimsey-Smit - Treasurer

For the past 14 years I have had the pleasure (albeit being a tad hectic at times) of working for the same company (PSA). During this time my roles have developed from Receptionist, to Accounts Clerk, to Warehouse Manager to my now current position of Financial Controller. My time with PSA has taught me that further success is achievable with a little dedication & perseverance. Even though my association with Access Arts has so far been brief, I hope that as Access Arts makes a difference to so many talented people, I too can provide a little inspiration. On a personal note I am expecting my first child in August 2008.

Michael Whelan - Secretary

Michael is the Manager of Research and Development with Broadcast GP, a Brisbane based medical education and publishing company. Previously he was the Manager of Queensland Arts Council's 'Ontour In Schools' program where he focused upon the creation of live arts programs for schools and the development of creative projects in remote Queensland and indigenous communities. He was a lecturer in music at QUT from 1988 - 2001 where he coordinated Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies and taught courses in songwriting, music for film and television and ensemble performance. He has written music for numerous theatre productions working for companies such as La Boite Theatre, QPAC and Queensland Theatre Company. Michael has also worked as a community musician, writing and performing with organisations such as BEMAC, Access Arts, Children's Activities Group and Street Arts.

Michael studied drama at QUT, Music at Queensland Conservatorium of Music, and has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Queensland. His book 'The Other Country: A Father's Journey with Autism' is published by Pan Macmillan and will be released in July, 2008.

Heidi Muenchberger - Ordinary Member

Heidi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Griffith Abilities Research Program (Griffith University Health Institute) and has worked in the area of rehabilitation for the past 10 years. As a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Researcher, she has primarily worked with people who have experienced a life-changing neurological disorder and in 2007 completed a PhD that examined the evidence-base for rehabilitation in order to improve outcomes.

Funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, Qld, Heidi's research concentrated on the impact of traumatic brain injury for individuals and their families, and vocational rehabilitation outcomes. This work informed her current full-time research agenda with Queensland Health and Griffith University, which aims to investigate model systems of care, the systemic representation of health consumers in the community, and the 'healthy places' concept. Heidi has a strong interest in understanding how creative arts practices can be implemented in community rehabilitation pathways.

Qualifications:

• BBehSc (Hons) (Griff)
• MClinNeuro (Macq)
• PhD

Memberships:

• Registered Psychologist (Qld)
• Access Arts Member
• ABIOS STEPS advisory member

Alan Parsons - Ordinary Member

Alan has always had an interest in the visual arts from as far back as he can remember. Craftwork, design, drawing and three dimensional creativity have always come fairly easily for Alan. After connecting with my Indigenous family that he had been separated from as a child in the late 1980’s, a new level of awareness has emerged and has energised a need to explore his ‘connections’ and to create those awareness’s through his paintings. Photography is another element of capturing the visual landscape that Alan enjoys exploring.

Music has also been a great interest and influence for him as well, so another skill he has is writing lyrics and poetry. Alan is actively involved in numerous committees and organizations ranging from the disAbility sector through to the community and environmental awareness and education. He also has experience in public speaking and workshop participation and involvement.

Alan looks forward to sharing some time with like minded creative people within Access Arts and possibly contributing to working together on making dreams and ideas become reality to be enjoyed by others.

Ria Parsons - Ordinary Member

I first had an interest in performing arts when I was still in high school. I had the opportunity to compete in the 2001 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge, which is a drug and alcohol free dance competition. I then went on doing tap dancing for 3 years and performed at regular end of year concerts. When I was in year 12 I attended my very first circus workshop at the Woodford Folk Festival in 2004. I found it very addictive and I haven’t turned back ever since. I have now been doing Aerials with flipside circus for nearly 3 years now, and I had my first ever performance in their community show last year called Talk 2 me that was held at the Brisbane Powerhouse. I also had the great opportunity to perform at the Woodford Folk Festival late last year. It was a real adrenalin rush.

I first found out about Access Arts when I had a 2 week work placement in grade 12. I instantly fell in love with the people and projects and I knew this is the place for me. I have been a volunteer with Access Arts for 2 years now, and I have really gained more confidence in my computer skills as well as my performing arts skills. Spending time with the other members of the management committee is giving me a real understanding of what it means and what it takes to be working in the arts and cultural industries. Just recently I have been getting really involved with the Sound Circles workshop I love helping the members, it really boosts my confidence. I hope to become a Sound Circles facilitator in the near future.