Renee Heron is a dynamic music educator and choral conductor who founded and serves as the Artistic Director of The Yarra Voices, recognized for its joyful and child-centred approach to choral education. She is also a choral and singing teacher at Camberwell Girls Grammar, runs Choir 3006 at the Melbourne Recital Centre, and regularly lectures at Monash University.
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​​A leading practitioner of the Kodály music education philosophy in Melbourne, Renee has served as President of the Victorian Branch of the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia. She attended the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary (2016–17), and received an award for excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education in 2022. She recently completed an Honours degree in Choral and Orchestral Conducting at the University of Adelaide under Dr. Carl Crossin and Dr. Luke Dollman and also holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland & a Master of Teaching from the University of Melbourne.​
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In addition to her work with The Yarra Voices, Renee performs with Melbourne choirs such as Polyphonic Voices, Consort of Melbourne and Divisi Chamber Singers. She is also the Artistic Director of Alta Collective and has led the ensemble to recognition for its innovative approach to chamber vocal music. Their recording of Juliana Kay's Earth-Shaped Hearts was nominated for APRA AMCOS 2024 Choral Work of the Year.
TIMOTHY MALLIS
Tim Mallis is a Melbourne-based musician specialising in composition and piano accompaniment. Tim is a passionate advocate for music education and bringing new Australian compositions to life. Tim is a graduate of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music specialising in organ and composition. As an award-winning composer, he has written for some of Australia’s finest ensembles and is frequently commissioned for works by local arts bodies including Arts Centre Melbourne in their ‘5x5x5’ program, and Choral Edge in their award-nominated ‘Stories from the Choir’.
As a former member of Young Songmakers Australia and former student of the Franz-Schubert-Institut, Tim is in high demand as an accompanist, organist, and conductor. He is the current Associate Director of Music at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Brighton and has held positions as Director of Music at both St Bartholomew’s and St Stephen’s Anglican Churches in Richmond. As part of his ongoing relationship with the Australian Boys Choral Institute since 2003, Tim is involved both as a Teacher-in-Charge and member of The Vocal Consort. Tim is also employed by Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as a surtitle specialist since 2014.
PETA RUST
YV Kids Conductor & Rehearsal Tutor
Peta Rust is an experienced Music teacher, accompanist and choral conductor who has been working in Primary School settings and with children’s choirs for over 10 years. She holds degrees in Keyboard Performance and a post graduate degree in Education, specialising in Primary Teaching. Peta also holds qualifications in both the Kodály teaching method and Orff Schulwerk. She is currently Campus Head of Music for Malvern Campus, Caulfield Grammar. As a performer, Peta has enjoyed performing solo recitals in some of Melbourne's finest venues including the National Gallery of Victoria, St. Michael's Uniting Church and The Edge, Federation Square. She has had the privilege of performing live broadcasts of solo and chamber works on 3MBS.
Peta has a particular passion and interest in Music teaching, and has taught both in schools and for community organisations since 2012. She takes great pleasure in seeing what a profound effect Music Education can have on a child's total development. Peta has worked at a number of community choirs including Choir Victoria, Sing Australia and Yarra Voices as both an accompanist and a conductor.
RENEE HERON
Artistic Director
Accompanist & Rehearsal Tutor
MARJORIE BUTCHER
Rehearsal Tutor & Choreographer
Marjorie is a skilled artist and educator with a Bachelor of Music specialising in vocal performance from The University of Newcastle. She is sought after as a soprano soloist and ensemble singer, having worked with prestigious groups like the Song Company, Divisi and Alta Collective. Marjoire has worked as an actor, in Sydney, Newcastle, and Melbourne and her training at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Actors Studio strongly influences her teaching style. Marjorie currently teaches privately at her studio in Brunswick and draws on her career as an actor and performer to cultivate confidence in her students by exploring stage presence and performing techniques.
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As a choreographer and Alexander Technique BodyMinded practitioner, Marjorie works with ensembles to add accessible, free and easy physicality to music. This focus on physical awareness encourages vocal freedom and health whilst creating elevating and engaging performances. Marjorie is dedicated to nurturing confidence, creativity, and a love for music in young performers. She combines her unique blend of movement, education, performance experience, and pedagogical expertise to encourage and embolden the next generation of performers.
LESLEY COLLINS
Junior Yarra Voices Conductor
Lesley Collins is currently a teacher of Classroom Music and Choral Director at Carey Baptist Grammar, specialising in choral conducting, classical voice, and classroom teaching. Lesley holds postgraduate qualifications in music education and opera performance and is pursuing a Master of Education in Leadership and Management at Melbourne University.
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As a committee member of the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia, Lesley advocates for curriculum innovation and teacher development, supporting initiatives prioritising music literacy. Lesley is strongly interested in helping students find their voice from a young age and assisting them in reducing anxiety, increasing self-esteem and performing with excellence.
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Lesley has extensive performance experience with esteemed organisations, including the Italian Institute of Culture, Goethe Institute, and the Opera Society of Victoria. She has also performed in a variety of capacities, such as backing singer for Paul McDermott, ensemble, and soloist at Hamer Hall’s Morning Melodies, and is an alumni member of Scot’s Church and Trinity College chapel choirs. She is an active performer with Ensemble Gombert and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus, bringing a strategic vision to fostering growth among students and staff while inspiring the next generation of musicians and educators.
