Biographies

Ms. Hildegarde Palafox - Accompanist

Ms. Hildegarde Palafox is a Philippine-born Australian Music educator. Starting to learn music at the age of 8, she won a national youth piano competition at the age of 12 and was awarded a piano scholarship at the University of the Philippines. She is an alumna of the University of Santo Tomás Conservatory of Music (Manila, Philippines) graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Music (B.M. Music Education, 1977). Committed to continuing professional School, Manila, Philippines 1977-1979: electronic organ, piano and YMC- Yahama Music Course), (Australia 1992-1993, 1997-2007), pipe organ (ACT Organ School, 2005-2007), Orff- Schulwerk (Antwerp, Belgium 1981), Church Music and Handbell Choir (USA 1986-1987) and Choral Technique (Philippines 1977-1979), (USA 1986-1987), (Australia 1990-1991), Studio Teaching (Australia 1988-present) and Singing (2007).

		Robyn Collins- Musical Director Robyn's music training began at age 9 when she began playing Clarinet in her school's band program. During her school years, she played with various community groups including Canberra Youth Orchestra Society and Canberra Youth Music. In 2000 she began lessons with Susan Ellis and completed her Bachelor of Music with honours in 2005. For ANU's George Limb Opera Company she has performed the roles of Jou-Jou (Lehar's Merry Widow), La Chatte Blanc and La Tasse Chinoise (Ravel‚s L'Enfant et les Sortileges), Miss Silvertones (Mozart's The Impressario), Adele (J Strauss's Die Fledermaus), and Suor Genovieffa (Puccini's Suor Angelica). She has performed Gilbert and Sullivan with ACT Singers and Canberra Philharmonic Society including Yum-Yum (Mikado), Angelina (Trial by Jury) and Casilda (The Gondoliers). Last year she performed in her first musical; the role of Maria in West Side story for Canberra Philharmonic Society. Robyn first started conducting with the Calvary Hospital Choir and was able to explore music learning techniques and concepts using the wonderful hospital staff as unsuspecting 'guinea pigs'. She is excited to work with the dedicated singing students/hobbyists of ACT singers and to continue exploring her ideas.
		Ms. Hildegarde Palafox - Accompanist Ms. Hildegarde Palafox is a Philippine-born Australian Music educator. Starting to learn music at the age of 8, she won a national youth piano competition at the age of 12 and was awarded a piano scholarship at the University of the Philippines. She is an alumna of the University of Santo Tomás Conservatory of Music (Manila, Philippines) graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Music (B.M. Music Education, 1977). Committed to continuing professional School, Manila, Philippines 1977-1979: electronic organ, piano and YMC- Yahama Music Course), (Australia 1992-1993, 1997-2007), pipe organ (ACT Organ School, 2005-2007), Orff- Schulwerk (Antwerp, Belgium 1981), Church Music and Handbell Choir (USA 1986-1987) and Choral Technique (Philippines 1977-1979), (USA 1986-1987), (Australia 1990-1991), Studio Teaching (Australia 1988-present) and Singing (2007).