Claire is a businesswoman based on the NSW Central Coast. She co-founded Women on Boards in Australia in 2006 and in the UK in 2012 following a career in journalism and public relations. An experienced Non-Executive Director on small businesses and large Not-For-Profit organisations, Claire has significant expertise on board governance in many other sectors.
Claire is also a graduate of the Benevolent Society’s Sydney Social Leadership Program which has led to a lifelong interest in affordable housing and related social issues, particularly those impacting women and children. Since 2020 she has served on the board of Coast Shelter Emergency Accommodation Ltd, a registered Community Housing Provider operating crisis accommodation refuges across the region for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing domestic and family violence.
Elected to the Board in 2016k, Claire is a lover of the visual and performing arts.
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Claire Braund
Board President
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David Markham
Brass Teacher
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E-Yang Liu
Brass Teacher
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Hilary Day
Chair, Teaching & Music Committee
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Kate McCallum
Secretary & Chair, Growth & Development Committee
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Mitchell Lowe
Trombone & Trumpet Teacher
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Phillip Rutherford
Head of Musicianship, Brass Teacher, Conductor (School Bands)
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Radu Boros
Horn
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Rob Kitchen
Chair, Premises & Building Committee
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Tracie Elvidge
Treasurer
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Trish O’Hearn
Head of Program (Brass), Trumpet Teacher
Claire Braund
Board President
David Markham
Brass Teacher
David started teaching when he was 15 mentoring young brass students from beginner to advanced. He served for 8 years in the RAAF as a professional musician. David has won numerous state and national solo
competitions over the years and currently performs with Central Coast Brass, Mariners Brass Band and Symphony Central Coast.
David believes in using his extensive knowledge and years of experience to help students become the best they’re capable of.
E-Yang Liu
Brass Teacher
E-Yang studied Composition at the University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he developed an interest in conducting and teaching. He studied phrase style conducting through the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) Professional Development course with its maestro, Jerry Nowak, eventually becoming an instructor on the course.
E-Yang has worked under several respected directors and performed with the likes of Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphonic Wind Ensemble, City of Sydney Wind Ensemble, University of New South Wales Wind Ensemble, The Occasionally Performing Symphony Orchestra (TOPS), Sydney Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the News South Wales Detachment of the Royal Australian NAVY Band amongst many others.
Hilary Day
Chair, Teaching & Music Committee
Hilary graduated as a physiotherapist from Cumberland College of Health Sciences and has worked for the Central Coast Local Health District for 17 years and Residential Aged Care for 17 years. She is committed to providing free public health services to the residents of the Central Coast and brings to the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music (CCCM) Board her skills as a coordinator gained through wide teamwork experience.
In her music profession, Hilary achieved her diploma in cello and was employed as the cello tutor at the Central Coast Grammar School for 18 years, as well as many years teaching privately. She believes that giving children and adults the opportunity to play music creates joy and social harmony and benefits all learning areas.
She is Assistant Principal Cello of the Symphony Central Coast (SCC), which has a close association with the CCCM. She has served on the Management Committee of the SCC and its predecessor for 34 years, including 13 years as President. Her experience in managing and maintaining a thriving community orchestra is valuable to the Conservatorium. Hilary was elected to the Board in 2010.
Kate McCallum
Secretary & Chair, Growth & Development Committee
Kate McCallum is a leading Australian financial adviser and co-founder and director of award-winning firm, Multiforte Financial Services. She has an extensive background in Finance, having held executive positions at Westpac, BT Financial Group and Commonwealth Bank.
For much of her career, Kate has been writing and speaking on money and finance. She is a published author, media commentator, successful business woman and recipient of multiple awards in the Financial Services industry. Kate holds a BA Hons from the University of Sydney, an MComm from the University of New South Wales, and post-graduate qualifications in financial advice and applied finance.
She is a keen swimmer, skier and sailor. Kate has studied piano and fine art, and enjoys live music, and the performing and visual arts. Kate was elected to the Board in 2021.
Mitchell Lowe
Trombone & Trumpet Teacher
Since starting study at the Australian Institute of Music on trombone under Ben Gurton, Mitchell has been actively involved in the Sydney music scene.
He has toured from Melbourne to Brisbane and played many well-known venues around Sydney. During his study, he was involved in many original Indi rock and roots projects through performing, recording, composition and arranging.
Phillip Rutherford
Head of Musicianship, Brass Teacher, Conductor (School Bands)
Phillip received his PhD and Masters in Music (Composition) at Sydney Conservatorium, and received his Bachelor of Music at Newcastle Conservatorium.
He works as Head of Musicianship, teaching all aspects of Music Theory, history and composition, and has written a series of books as a new Musicianship course, The Poco Musician.
As a performer and conductor Phillip has previously been Musical Director of Gosford City Brass Band and Central Coast Youth Band, and has performed in the Central Coast Symphony Orchestra, Central Coast Brass, Gosford City Brass Band and Waratah Brass.
Radu Boros
Horn
After completing his education in Bucharest, where he graduated from the College of Music “George Enescu” majoring in violin, horn and singing, Radu held positions in professional orchestras in Romania and Germany.
Following his arrival in Australia he played in orchestras, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Opera and Ballet Orchestra, as well as teaching and conducting school and community orchestras and bands. For several years he was in the Australian Army Band in Sydney before transferring to the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Rob Kitchen
Chair, Premises & Building Committee
He previously worked with Pacific Link Housing to increase its housing portfolio through the construction of new housing; and with the NSW State Government at the Department of Land and Property and the Department of Planning where his main project there was the $1 billion mixed use redevelopment of Gosford Waterfront.
Elected to the Board in 2019.
Tracie Elvidge
Treasurer
Tracie is a senior business and finance professional experienced in the SME sector. She has been a member of several leadership teams guiding strategy for financially sustainable businesses. She holds an executive position with Macarthur Group Holdings and brings exceptional skills in strategic planning, financial management and program delivery to the board. Tracie started learning piano at a young age and for over 30 years has been teaching private students of all ages. She has previously studied clarinet and continues to study classical singing with regular performances with the Sydney Philharmonic choirs. Tracie was elected to the Board in 2019.
Trish O’Hearn
Head of Program (Brass), Trumpet Teacher
Trish O’Hearn gained her Bachelor of Music from Newcastle Conservatorium, followed by a Postgraduate in Performance (Grad Dip) from Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
She has been a part of championship community bands since she was young and is currently Principal cornet of Toronto Brass as well as a member of the award-winning Central Coast Brass.
Trish was also invited to be a member of National Australia Brass, performing various concerts including the International Brass festival in Melbourne and is a current member of Pacific Brass.