The final program for the 2024 conference is now available. Click the session number within the program to view the full session summary.
Keynote Speakers
We are excited to announce our Keynote Speakers for the 2024 Conference.
Professor John McKendrick
Professor of Social Justice,
Glasgow Caledonian University
Commissioner for Fair Access
Scottish Government
Professor John McKendrick is Professor of Social Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, where he co-directs the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit. He arrived at the university twenty-five years ago, having spent the first four years of his career at the University of Manchester. His work at the university was interrupted with two years on secondment to the University of Edinburgh (2002-2003 at the Centre for Families and Relationships).
Professor McKendrick was appointed Commissioner for Fair Access in January 2023 by the Scottish Government. The Commissioner is independent of government and responsible for leading a system wide effort to deliver fair access in Scotland, including the development of a framework for fair access. He provides impartial policy advice to the Scottish Government and other organisations and works across the entire education system to:
- develop best practice
- improve the evidence base
- hold to account all those with a role in advancing fair access to higher education
His route to higher education was through Carmyle Primary School (Glasgow), Pennyburn Primary and Kilwinning Academy (North Ayrshire). He studied Geography at the University of Strathclyde, before heading across the city to complete a PhD at the University of Glasgow. Technically, the first in his family to go to university, he prefers to credit that family milestone to his mum who gained a teaching degree as a mature student at Craigie College of Education (now the University of the West of Scotland).
He is on the Child Poverty Programme Board and Scottish Attainment Challenge Programme Board and serves as a committee member on a number of anti-poverty initiatives and organisations.
Access and equity through lifelong music education: NSW’s Regional Conservatoriums
Dr Wendy Brooks, CEO, Young Regional Conservatorium
David Francis, President of the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums
Dr Wendy Brooks
Wendy has been a passionate music educator since completion of her undergraduate degree in the mid-1980s. As well as running a successful piano teaching studio, Wendy taught in primary and secondary schools in western Sydney as a music and creative arts specialist for many years.
Through these roles, Wendy was inspired to return to postgraduate study, and since 2007 has completed Master’s degrees in Music (Music Education) and Education (Educational Leadership), and a PhD. Between 2011 and 2017, Wendy worked as a lecturer in music education and primary education at Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Western Sydney University respectively. She maintains a keen interest in Teacher Education, and has mentored teachers at various career stages of their careers. She is a Commissioner with the Music in Schools and Teacher Education Commission (MISTEC) of the International Society for Music Education (ISME), working with a Committee of six international members to plan and present an interactive seminar biennually, disseminating current research and best practice.
Since 2017, Wendy has worked within the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums, and is committed to broadening access and increasing equity to music education opportunities for non-metropolitan students. She is currently the CEO of Young Regional Conservatorium, located in the south western slopes of NSW, and Vice-president of the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums.
David Francis
David joined WollCon as their CEO in May 2021 and is currently President of the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums.
Prior to joining WollCon, David was the Executive Director of renowned regional arts organisation Four Winds Concerts Inc – home of the Four Winds Festival. His work at Four Winds in Bermagui on the Far South Coast of NSW, transformed the organisation from a biennial music Festival to a thriving, year-round arts organisation.
David came to Australia from the UK in 2014 when he was appointed General Manager of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. David led a turnaround for this important choral organisation who recently celebrated their 100th birthday. David has held several senior positions in the arts in the UK including Director of Arts at Dartington and Senior Producer for Arts Council England during which time he developed Sound and Music – the UK’s peak body for art music. He also developed and launched The PRS For Music Foundation, now the UKs largest funder for new music and talent development. For the past 6 years David has been a Board Director of the Australian Music Centre and he currently serves as a Board Director for NSW based ‘Music in the Regions’.
With a career developed entirely in the arts/music sector, David’s strengths lie in leadership as well as organisational development. He has a strong commitment to and experience of delivering sustainable organisations, particularly in regional centres.
David studied music and undertook Post Graduate Vocal Training at the Guildhall School of Music in London. He holds a ‘One Planet’ MBA from Exeter Business School. David is still a practicing musician and is Music Director and Conductor of Spirit Allegro – a community chamber choir based in Pambula on the Far South Coast of NSW.