SCYO Director & Conductors

Maria Salmon
Director of Music

Maria is a dedicated string teacher who has spent her career developing string programs and students in the many schools and countries that she has lived. She has recently relocated to the Sunshine Coast with her family and is immensely excited to join the Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra as Music Director in 2011.
Maria was born in Brisbane, briefly learnt the trumpet from her father, who was a well known performer, before attending All Hallows’ where she learnt the violin and piano. She graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music in 1986.
After teaching at many Melbourne schools she became Head of Strings at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School and was a founding teacher with the Victorian Education Dept. Western Suburbs String Program. During this period she appeared with the Melbourne Camerata Orchestra as Concert Master and soloist and performed regularly with the Bella String Quartet.
She conducted the Western Australian Youth Orchestra’s String Orchestra from 1991 and was instrumental in growing the string program at All Saints’ College.
Maria returned to Melbourne in 1996 where she was one of the head String teachers at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School.
In 2001 she followed her husband overseas with her young family to America, Switzerland and finally Singapore. For the past five years Maria has lived in Singapore where she started the String Program at the German European School and was the head of Strings at the Australian International School where her duties included conducting both secondary and junior ensembles as well as developing the string program. She performed regularly on viola with the modern String Orchestra Remix for many concerts.
As the Conductor of the Symphony Strings and Sinfonia Strings, Julie-Anne will be responsible for the ongoing musical and technical development of ensembles.

Chelsey Thomas
Conductor - Youth Symphony

Chelsey completed high school at Matthew Flinders Anglican College and completed a double degree, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education at the Queensland University of Technology.
Chelsey has played percussion in 2 of the leading A grade Brass Bands in Brisbane, competing at both State and National level with the ensembles in capital cities all across Australia and New Zealand.
During her time at university Chelsey worked privately and at Matthew Flinders Anglican College and Immanuel Lutheran College as an instrumental teacher of piano, clarinet, saxophone and theory.
Chelsey moved back to the Sunshine Coast to work at St Andrew's Anglican College in 2009, teaching classroom music (grade 2 to grade 10), piano, theory and maintains the role of College Accompanist.
One of the highlights of her teaching career so far has been conducting the St Andrew's Anglican College Wind Ensemble, leading the ensemble to compete in many competitions this year and play at many community events.
Being a local Sunshine Coast girl, Chelsey has competed in the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod for many years and has been a volunteer for the event for the past 7 years. Chelsey is passionate about working with young people and helping the grow the profile of music on the Sunshine Coast.

Calvin Hunter
Conductor - Wind Ensamble

Calvin is an instrumental music teacher with Education Queensland working at Mountain Creek State High School, Sunshine Beach State High School and Meridan State College. With over 20 years experience playing and teaching, Calvin hopes to make music enjoyable and rewarding for the band members. “Having fun is a very important ingredient in the success of a band.” He not only helps to build confidence within a musical sense, but also in helping with leadership positions within the ensemble, thus, helping the musicians to grow, whilst enjoying themselves.

Donna McMahon
Conductor - Amati Strings

Donna grew up in Toowoomba, graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and was appointed to Townsville in 1973 as the inaugural Instrumental Teacher. She has taught at all levels from beginner to tertiary, on all of the string

family. Donna gained her Masters in Music in 2002 – her research topic – chamber music for student players.

During her time in Brisbane, Donna led the Queensland Youth Orchestra on its inaugural trip overseas to the International Festival of Youth Orchestra’s in Lausanne Switzerland. In Townsville, she has conducted the Townsville Youth Orchestra and many other youth and community groups.

Donna loves teaching and performing, especially orchestral and chamber music. She is currently teaching at Matthew Flinders and St. Andrew’s Colleges. The Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra keeps her busy as a player and librarian.

Awards given to Donna include: Citation of Service from Australian Strings Association, 2002 Music Award and 2010 Limelight Award from the Townsville City Council for outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Townsville, and

Honorary Life Membership of the Barrier Reef Orchestra, the community orchestra of Townsville.

Since moving to the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains area in 2010, Donna has been delighted to become involved in youth and community music making on the Sunny Coast.