Biography - Susan Clarke

 
 

With a Diploma in Music Education from the NSW Conservatorium of Music, Susan began her career teaching classroom music in Orange, NSW in 1981.  After receiving a Bachelor of Music, majoring in French horn performance from the NSW Conservatorium of Music in 1985, she worked as a freelance musician in Sydney, performing in major theatre productions, for the Australian Ballet and in recording sessions.  From 1986 she has mainly focused on instrumental teaching and conducting, notably as the founder of the instrumental program at Fort Street High School, and from 1991 to 1996 as band director and brass teacher at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney. 

From 1997 until 2004, Susan worked at Moreton Bay College, Brisbane, as an instrumental teacher, Head of Performance and finally as Director of Music.  She resigned her post to work for Education Queensland as a multi-instrumental teacher, and to develop her business, JILTOA Consulting and Educational Services.

Throughout her career Susan has been committed to her professional development as a music educator.  Her conducting training began with Jerry Nowak at the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors' Association Summer School in Sydney in 1985 and 1986. She has also attended summer schools with Robert Rosen, Rob McWilliams and Dale Lonis.She has served as President of the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association in both NSW and Queensland, and on the national executive. In July 2002 she was awarded the Citation of Excellence by the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association for services to ABODA and instrumental music education. In 2002 she completed a Masters of Education at the University of Missouri, Columbia, where she also studied conducting with Dr Dale Lonis and was admitted as a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda fraternity for academic excellence and musicianship. 

Susan has just commenced study with the University of Newcastle on a Master of Music Technology degree to hone her skills in this area.

She has extensive experience as a clinician in instrumental teaching and strategic planning, as a guest conductor, and as an adjudicator for competitions such as the Australian Academy Festival of Music and the Queensland Catholic Schools Festival.  In 1997 she became the first woman to conduct at the National Band Camp in Sydney under the auspices of the Australian Winds and was invited to return as a conductor in 1999.  She is also the Musical Director of the Brisbane Symphonic Band.

Her business, JILTOA Consulting and Educational Services focuses on providing professional development for instrumental music educators and developing resources for music programs.  She is a trained laughter therapist and is passionate about learning and developing opportunities for students to experience the joy of making great music.