Welcome to Hive Youth Theatre

about

MEET THE TEAM
VANESSA LYNCH
Hive Director
Bach. Education (hons) Major in Music

Vanessa has a B.Ed (hons) – Bachelor of Education with a major in Music and has spent several years teaching classroom music in high schools and primary schools in London. Vanessa is an accomplished pianist and flute player and has achieved an ATCL level in performance.

While studying an honours degree in Music Education, with a focus on neural research on children’s intellect and cognitive function, she discovered that music is especially powerful in shaping a child’s interests and abilities in the preschool years. Opening Hive, a creative learning studio for local families, was a natural step in her desire to give children the opportunity to develop the cognitive and musical skills that early childhood music training offers.

When she’s not buzzing at Hive, Vanessa spends her spare time being creative with cooking, baking, sewing and playing music with her kids Zara, Jayden and Brianna – they even have their own little family band!

BETH PEACH-STEER
Youth Theatre Director

Bach. Music, Mast. Musical Theatre Performance

Beth is a singer and actress with a passion for Creative Education.  Originally from the UK, Beth began her training at Cardiff University, obtaining a Degree in Music. She then went on to study Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London. After graduating she went on to tour the UK and Internationally with multiple musicals.

She has previously taught Musical Theatre for the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, where she realised the joy in sharing her skills and love for music and performing with children.

Since moving to Australia Beth has fronted a local function band performing at weddings and music venues across the Hunter.

Beth has two beautiful children who are her inspiration, and further sparked her love for music education. Beth feels so lucky to be a part of the Hive team, getting to do what she loves everyday with such a wonderful community of families.

JESSICA GAVIN
Youth Theatre Studio Manager

Jess is the friendly voice of Hive and answers your calls. She is available to chat with on reception Monday, Thursday and Friday. A mother to two beautiful boys, she has been a long-term client before joining the Hive team and her sons still love coming to Hive each week.

Attending the Hunter School of Performing Arts, Jess completed 6th grade level AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) in Trumpet and played in concert, marching and stage bands. From there she has achieved a Bachelor of Sience (Biotechnology) (Hons) and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Newcastle. After working as a Research Scientist and Laboratory Manager at Westmead Hospital, she relocated back to Newcastle and is now enjoying a child-friendly position, being surrounded by Creative People.

BETH AUBREY
Drama Production Director, Drama Teacher

Bach. Acting, NIDA

Beth graduated from NIDA’s Acting course in 2006 and has worked extensively in all areas of the professional industry. Some of her television credits include Rake, Home and Away, Janet King and East west 101.

She has been lucky enough to tour nationally for two years with The Bell Shakespeare company performing various roles.
Since 2018 she has been the brand voice over artist for Foxtel and has voiced many other campaigns such as The Sunday Telegraph, Weight Watchers, Bankwest, Pork and Maggie. She has also narrated corporate videos, Audio books and starred in many TVC’s.
Beth has been a regular tutor for NIDA’s Open Program since 2010 teaching The craft of Acting to all age groups in sydney and Australia wide. She specialises in Improvisation giving her classes a fun blend of comedy and creativity. She has two beautiful children and believes strongly in power of creativity and community.
Shuna Mackay
Drama Program Manager, Drama Teacher

Bach. Community Drama (hons)

Shuna was born in the UK and studied at the Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts, where she completed a degree in Community Drama (BAHons) and proudly shook Sir Paul McCartneys hand to receive her degree! After graduation Shuna worked in London, teaching performing arts within Pre schools, and enjoyed seeing shows regularly in the West End.
Shuna moved to Australia in 2014 and after traveling worked for several schools and companies in Melbourne teaching Drama and Music in education.
Shuna has always had a passion and interest in performing arts from a young age, now as a mother of two young boys the passion has grown deeper understanding the positive effect performing arts can have in young minds and in their development from a young age.
Shuna and her family recently relocated to Newcastle and love their new city and all it has to offer.
Shuna loves working at The Hive surrounded by creative people and watching children grow in their confidence and growth through the arts.
Francesco Bertoni
Theatre Teacher

Francesco started performing at the age of 12 in Italy. He studied throughout the years singing, acting, dancing, piano and drums.
He successfully graduated in musical theatre at the Bernstein School of Musical Theatre (Bologna, Italy). He then performed in a range of shows on national tours for 2 years before moving to Paris to become a parade character performer in Disneyland Paris for 4 years.

In local theatre he appeared as Tyler in “Merrily we roll along”, Paul in “Company” and Lewis in “Pippin”. He is also a member of the Newcastle Chamber Choir since June 2022.

ELOISE SHEEAN
Theatre Teacher
Bach. Music

Eloise was born into a musical family. Both her grandparents and mother were singers and teachers at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music.
She completed her Bachelor of Music degree through the University of Newcastle and had many performance opportunities, including being a member of University of Newcastle Chamber Choir.
She has performed in numerous concerts as lead soprano such as Mozarts Requiem & Vespers and performed in opera and theatre productions of The Magic Flute, La Bohème, Wicked, Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast and many more. Eloise has also performed with Sydney based choral group Cantillation on the soundtrack for Happy Feet 2 and Nigel Westlake’s premiere of Requiem for Eli at the Sydney Opera House with Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
She has previously taught private singing tuition from home and Newcastle Grammar School with a variety of students ranging in age, skill level and vocal style.
After taking a break from performing to start a family, Eloise is excited to help children explore their creativity through their love of singing and music making.
Rebecca Hrobat
Theatre Teacher
Dip. Performing Arts Major in Acting

Bec has spent much of her life in performing arts. She started dancing at a young age and went on to perform interstate and internationally, singing and dancing professionally.
After completing her full time diploma in performing arts at The Australian College Of Entertainment as an acting major, she worked as an actor in the television and film industry for many years.
Bec has always related and connected to children, during this time she also worked as a Fairy for kids party’s, taught tiny tots (2-5yrs) singing classes and worked as a children’s nanny. She later went on to work behind the scenes in the television industry as a full time producer and supervising producer for fifteen years.
Bec was involved in Murmuration, an integrated performing company working with a collective of multi-disciplinary artists. She has a young family and recently moved to Newcastle to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and natural environment that it has on offer. As a mum of a two young children, Bec is made aware on a daily basis, of the different ways children learn and how that changes as they grow.
Bec loves being a part of the Hive community and enjoys watching little beings explore their potential through creativity, music and the arts.
BRIDGET PONMAN
Theatre Teacher

Bridget is a graduate of Hunter School of Performing Arts and is studying towards a Bachelor of Teaching in High School Drama.  She has spent 10 years developing talent in drama, musical theatre, and classical singing and is a frequent performer in many local productions as well as a CONDA youth ambassador.

Bridget has earned multiple nominations and won the CONDA “Excellence by a Performer 18 and Under in a Musical” award. Her notable roles include Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’, SpongeBob in ‘The SpongeBob Musical’, The Baroness in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, and Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’

A talented visual artist, Bridget ranked in the Top 100 for the Young Archie’s 2021. At Hive, she passionately shares her arts expertise with young enthusiasts.

RENEE EDMONDS
Voice Teacher

Bach. Music

Renee’s deep-seated passion for music led her to pursue a Bachelor of Music (BMus.), which she completed in 2021 with a major in classical voice. Renee’s research during her music studies focused on children’s singing pedagogy, specifically examining how music positively influences mood and mental health.

Renee’s love for singing started at a young age. She was a member of the Waratah Girls Choir for a decade, where she honed her vocal skills and earned a scholarship to study classical voice with Susan Hart. She toured to Canada, competing in an International Choral Festival, where she performed both as a soloist and as part of the ensemble.

At the University of Newcastle, Renee studied with Dr Sue Carson. During this time Renee completed group work, band and orchestra performances, individual vocal tuition, Masterclasses with Chris Allen and recitals Lisa Kinna.

In addition to her formal studies, Renee has performed extensively in musicals, choirs, and operas. Her recent roles with Opera Hunter include performances in The Sound of Music, Don Giovanni, and Pirates of Penzance. Of all her roles, Renee cherishes her performance as a cigarette girl and gypsy in Carmen the most.

As a Voice Instructor, Renee is dedicated to nurturing her students’ vocal development through a structured yet engaging approach. Her teaching emphasizes the development of correct breathing techniques, interactive activities to foster musical growth, and improvements in vocal range, diction, pitch, tone, and posture.

Renee has achieved up to Grade 8 in vocal examinations from both Trinity College of London and the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB), underscoring her commitment to excellence in her field.

Renee Edmonds brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and expertise to our team.
Lucy Wallace
Voice Teacher
Lucy is a passionate vocalist who has been performing onstage since the age of 8. She attended singing lessons at The Voice Studio Newcastle for 10 years, and performed in many concerts at Lizzote’s during her time here.
Lucy enjoys singing folk, contemporary, country, pop and many other genres of music as well as writing her own original songs. She achieved a 95 in the HSC music 1 course in 2023 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance at the University of Newcastle.
Lucy’s love for musical theatre emerged during her 5 years being apart of the vocal ensemble in CSO’s ASPIRE productions where she developed drama and dance skills that she can apply in musical theatre classes.
As a vocal teacher, Lucy strives to pass on her wisdom and knowledge to inspire young singers to discover their voice and artistically express themselves with confidence.
DAISY LLOYD
Junior Piano Teacher

A passionat pianist recently added to the Hive teaching team is Daisy Lloyd! She’s a positive junior teacher ready to bring her enthusiasm for music to other young pianists wanting to grow and enjoy their piano playing.

From a young age the influences from a musical family history and environment she has been encouraged into the music world achieving A’s with Honours in all her piano exams, performing at events and gaining excellent grades in her music studies. Her passion for music comes from multiple sources including the clarinet, singing and bass guitar, but overall piano has been the true source of enjoyment. Daisy cannot wait to see her students also grow and develop their joy for playing piano!

Brianna Lynch
Junior Voice Teacher

Having grown up in a home filled with music making and music teaching, Brianna is a natural in teaching singing to our young singing students. Brianna is studying the art of classical and musical theatre singing technique and has completed grade 6 AMEB as she works towards her HSC in music. A fan of Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams, she is well acquainted with all the songs that our young singers enjoy, and balances the enjoyment of singing with learning good singing techniques in each lesson.

OLIVIA HARRINGTON
Theatre Teacher
Olivia is a current HSC Music and Drama Student. Olivia has training in both Musical Theatre and Classical singing, completing up to Grade 6 and undergoing her 7th grade AMEB exams.
Olivia is also a frequent chorister, performing with choirs like the Waratah Girls Choir, the Newcastle Music Festival Choir and the Starstruck Core Choir. Olivia is also a frequent performer, most notably for shows such as Frozen Jr, Into the Woods, The Wolves, Puffs, Noah’s Flood and most recently Newsies Jr as ‘Katherine’.
Olivia also has experience backstage and on the directing team as a Production Assistant with Young People’s Theatre for ‘Honk Jr’, and an Assistant Director for Lambton High’s Production of ‘Dags’.
Olivia loves working with the Hive team and to see the creativity from young performers blossom through music, drama and dance.
JOIN THE TEAM