Adjudicators 2025
The following people will provide high-quality feedback on performances.

Ensemble Adjudicator
Peter Moore
Peter Moore is a Conductor/Presenter/Bassoonist and Educator. He has conducted and presented concerts for WASO/ WAAPA and UWA. He has been Musical Director for WAYO (1986- present day). This involves conducting concerts and presenting 'Babies Proms'. As a bassoonist he has held the positions of Principal Bassoon with the Australian Chamber Orchestra (1991-2005), The Brandenburg Orchestra (2005-2016), Contrabassoon with the WASO (1986) and Co-Principal Bassoon with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (1974-1984). From 1986 - 1990 he was lecturer in Bassoon at WAAPA and from 1991 - 2016 he was an Associate Professor in Music at UWA. Peter is married to professional clarinettist Lorna Cook.

Ensemble/Brass Adjudicator
Paul De Cinque
Paul De Cinque is Deputy Head of School and Chair of Brass and Music Education at the University of Western Australia’s Conservatorium of Music. His teaching role at the Conservatorium includes co-ordinating and teaching units in Music Education and teaching classes in brass studies and community music. He also conducts the Wind Orchestra and Brass Ensemble. Before working in the tertiary sector, he taught classroom music, brass instrumental lessons, and conducted ensembles at a number of public and private schools in the Perth area. Paul has published research articles in the Journal of Band Research, WASBE Journal, Canadian Winds and The Instrumentalist. His compositions for school band are published by Brolga Music, and his wind ensemble transcription of Hindemith’s Ragtime is published by Schott Music. Paul has adjudicated at band and orchestra festivals, conducted honour bands, and led band clinics in both Australia and North America.

Vocal Adjudicator
Gregory Yurisich AM
Gregory Yurisich was one of the world’s leading baritones and is described by Placido Domingo as his favourite baritone. His portrayals of the great Verdi repertory earned him tremendous critical acclaim - “phenomenal” and “overwhelming” described his portrayals. Mr Yurisich performed repeatedly in all the major opera houses and concert halls of the world, partnered with all the leading singers and conductors of his time. He was the first Australian to reach the finals of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions New York, and the first person to sing Balstrode (Peter Grimes - Britten) in Paris. He has created many characters in new opera and music theatre works and many of his performances have been preserved on video, CD and DVD. He was awarded a Green Room Award for Best Male Artist in a Principal Role; a Green Room Award for Best Male Artist in a supporting role; the National Australian Opera awarded him Most Significant Contribution to Opera in Western Australia; he received a Sir Laurence Olivier Award, he was one of five artists honoured for their contribution to the Arts as part of the centenary celebrations of His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth and in 2005 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the Arts and the mentoring of young performers. After forty years as a soloist, Gregory Yurisich retired from the operatic stage to take up the position of Adjunct Professor at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where he taught voice and stage craft to both classical and music theatre singers before moving on to create the Australian Opera Studio. He has broad experience in creating new works and new shows and he continues to mentor talented young singers.

Strings Adjudicator
Andrea Mendham
Andrea was born in Perth and began her music journey at age five with piano lessons, before commencing violin lessons soon afterwards. She studied with Graeme Wood, and has fond memories of attending WASO concerts most weekends to watch her teacher perform. Andrea participated in numerous youth competitions in Perth and won in several categories for both violin and piano. At the age of 14, Andrea successfully auditioned to be a part of the Australian Youth Orchestras Young Symphonist program. Over her senior schooling years, Andrea lead her school ensemble, school orchestra, a combined schools orchestra and travelled around Australia to participate in various orchestral programs. Andrea moved to Canberra to complete her Bachelor of Music at the Canberra School of Music (Australian National University). She studied with Barbara Gilby, and also Eugenia Choi for one year in Canada. Andrea has performed with the Adelaide Symphony, Canberra Symphony and Malaysian Philharmonic orchestras. Since returning to Western Australia, and following her joint passions of music and education, Andrea has completed a Graduate Diploma in Education, teaching both classroom music and violin lessons at various schools in Perth.

Choral Adjudicator
Micheál McCarthy
Micheál McCarthy is a specialist in the areas of Aural and Choral Training. He studied at the Cork School of Music in Ireland (violin, piano and double bass). He graduated from University College Cork and pursued postgraduate studies at the Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary, studying under Péter Erdei. Micheál has held lecturing positions at the Canberra School of Music (ANU), the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University, where he is currently Senior Lecturer in Music. He is the founding director of Eneksis, one of Australia’s finest university vocal ensembles, and his choirs have featured on ABC Classic FM. He featured as ‘Classroom Music and Choir Mentor’ in the 3-part ABC Television’s documentary series, ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ - a series that set out to show the transformative effects that music can have on schools. He is the Director of Cottage Music Institute, a school that provides specialist Musicianship and Choral Training for children aged 5-16 years of age. He conducts workshops for teachers in Australia and overseas, and many of these workshops have featured at national and international conferences.

Guitar Adjudicator
Jonathan Paget
Associate Professor Jonathan Paget has led the classical guitar program at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Edith Cowan University) since 2005 and has produced many outstanding graduates with successful music careers. Winner of multiple international guitar competitions, Jonathan has performed throughout Australia, the USA, and Asia, and at organisations such as Musica Viva, Perth Festival, Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, and Strings Attached (Margaret River). His two solo recordings are regularly played on radio (particularly “Midsummer’s Night” for Move Records). Reviews describe his “formidable virtuosity” [Limelight], “subtle, intimate artistry” [The West Australian], “up there with some of the best” [Classical Guitar, UK]. A Fulbright and Hackett scholar, Paget completed doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music in upstate New York. Having held multiple senior roles at WAAPA, he is the current Associate Dean of Music. Paget is an active music researcher in guitar studies and historically informed performance practice and has been President of the Classical Guitar Society of WA, Inc. since 2006.

Piano Adjudicator
Adam Pinto
Adam Pinto is Chair of Keyboard Studies in the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Western Australia. He performs with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, and is recorded regularly for broadcast by the A.B.C. Recent creative projects include "Eight Nocturnes" for Viola and Piano recorded with Katherine Potter and available through ABC Classics and involve collaboration with Australia’s leading composers. "In Memoriam" was released in 2023 through Tall Poppies was reviewed as “a testament to the power of collaboration between highly inventive composers and virtuosic free-improvising performers. Adam Pinto’s pianism is exceptional in all the traditionally notated music scores, but in Rebecca Erin Smith’s piece he also demonstrates a brilliant flare for improvised musical invention.” Adam is a sought-after soloist and collaborative artist, working with local and international soloists at instrumental festivals worldwide. He collaborates with Paul Tanner and Matt Styles in "Mix’t", exploring the boundaries of cross-genre compositions. Their first disc "Home by 11" is available through Tall Poppies. His interest in the development of innovative new music and collaborative improvisational and compositional practices has seen him collaborate and premiere works by many Australian composers and perform in New Music Festivals internationally. In Rompduo with saxophonist Barry Cockcroft, this included the commissioning, premiere and recording of many significant works for the combination, both in Australia and internationally. This was a partnership which transformed the Australian musical landscape for both instruments. This passion includes post-doctoral research at the University of Western Australia exploring and performing the works of Roger Smalley OAM. Performances reviewed as “stunningly virtuoso” by Neville Cohn. A CD featuring the works of Smalley entitled "Transformation" is available through Tall Poppies and has been reviewed as “a beautifully recorded collection of works, consummately performed and of considerable historical significance” in Limelight.

Piano Adjudicator
Tommy Seah
Tommy Seah is a Singapore-born pianist based in Perth. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has performed across Australia, Asia, North America, and Europe. Tommy holds a Graduate Diploma in piano performance and a Master of Arts in music from WAAPA where he has been a lecturer since 2017. Aside from performance and teaching activities, Tommy is also an active researcher. He has presented for Musicology Society Australia, Historical Performance Institute at the University of Indiana, and WAAPA. His work has also been published in the Liszt Society Journal. Tommy is also the artistic director and founder of Perth Recital Series.

Wind Adjudicator
Ashley Smith
Described as ‘Incandescent... a masterly display of skill and insight... as an apologistfor contemporary music-making, you would search hard to find this young clarinettist's equal’ (The Age), Ashley William Smith has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Australia, USA, Europe and Asia. He performs regularly with ensembles including the Southern Cross Soloists and the Calder, Dover, and Australian string quartets. He is a laureate of prizes including the APRA Performance of the Year, the Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship, anABC Symphony International Young Performer Award, and a Churchill Fellowship. Agraduate of Yale University, the University of Western Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian National Academy of Music, Ashley was awarded prizes as the most outstanding performance graduate of each institution.

Strings Adjudicator
Grace Ah-quee
Grace Ah-quee studied in Sydney and worked as a full time Violinist & Violist playing for Les Mis, the Australian Opera & Ballet , the Midday show and many film and TV recordings at EMI and FOX studios. As a professional musician she has played with Tim Rice, Joan Sutherland, Shirley Bassey, Jerry Lewis, André Bocelli and Monty Python’s Eric Idle, Touring with Pavarotti. Grace currently works as an orchestral musician for Perth Symphony Orchestra, WA Phil ballet orchestra and as principal Violist for Fremantle Chamber Orchestra. Grace continues her role as Music Director of Perth Summer Orchestra Camps including the Baroque specialisation camp. She is Conductor & Music Director for Allegri Chamber Orchestra. Grace has worked as a conductor for the Western Australia Youth Orchestra for 20 years and has taught strings to Uni entry level for 30 years.

Piano Adjudicator
Anastasia Buettner-Moore
Anastasia graduated from UWA with a degree in Piano Performance in 2012 and has since played an active role as a passionate performer, presenter, examiner, collaborative pianist and experienced teacher in both WA and abroad. Having a love for technology, piano and people she has scoured the world for the leading practices and innovations in learning and teaching music. She has a strong background in movement studies such as the Taubman Approach, Alexander Technique, dance and yoga and specialises in helping pianists to play with more comfort, speed, accuracy and ease as well as retraining pianists out of injury. In addition, Anastasia has served as Vice-President of the WA Music Teacher’s Association and assists in accrediting, upskilling and mentoring the next generation of music teachers to give the best music lessons the world can offer.

Vocal Adjudicator
Lisa Harper-Brown
The recipient of many prizes in the fields of performance and academia, Lisa studied at the University of Western Australia, and was a member the Young Artist Programmes with West Australian Opera and Opera Australia. She has studied at the Britten-Pears School, with Janice Chapman, Dame Joan Sutherland, and New York’s, Michael Parker and Marlena Malas. Lisa’s past roles for WAO include the Soprano in Elijah, the title role in Alcina, Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus), 1st Lady and Pamina (The Magic Flute), Venus (Orpheus In The Underworld), Frasquita (Carmen), and Countess Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro). For Opera Australia, her roles include Pamina and First Lady (The Magic Flute), Fiordiligi (Cosi Fan Tutte), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Elsa (Lohengrin), Echo (Ariadne auf Naxos), Diana (Orpheus In The Underworld), Belinda (Dido & Aeneas) and multiple seasons of Countess Almaviva (The Marriage Of Figaro), for which she received a Helpmann Award. Other operatic appearances include, Musetta (La Boheme) Opera Qld, Ortlinde (Die Walküre) State Opera of South Australia, Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) Opera NZ, First Lady (The Magic Flute) Hamburg State Opera, Elizabeth (Maria Stuarda) Days Bay Opera NZ. Concert appearances include Knoxville: Summer Of 1915 with MSO, Symphony Under The Stars, Gerhilde (Die Walküre) with SSO, Dvorak’s Stabat Mater for Perth Festival, Elijah Downside Abby (UK), Carmina Burana with WASO, Verdi’s Requiem for NZSO, Mozart’s Mass in C, Haydn’s Creation, Berlioz’s La nuit d’ete and Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with Hawkes Bay Orchestra, NZ. Lisa divides her time between her performing commitments and her other passion: Teaching. Having taught for 30+ years across three continents in a variety of educational settings, Lisa’s extensive ‘on-stage’ experience, research into Vocal Pedagogy and Languages, make her a highly sought-after Voice Teacher, Choral Trainer and Adjudicator.

Piano Adjudicator
Graeme Gilling
Graeme Gilling has been an active performer, teacher, examiner and adjudicator in WA for 35 years. He was Chair of Performance and Keyboard Studies at the University of Western Australia from 1998 to 2025, and has served the AMEB in a number of roles: as the Chair of AMEB(WA), as WA Director on the AMEB Federal Board, and as a continuing Federal examiner for the Board. As a performer, he works regularly with the WA Symphony Orchestra and the Darlington Ensemble, and maintains a busy piano teaching studio, also adjudicating when possible.