MEET THE TEAM
ABI CRAYON
Head of Teaching
Master’s degree in Education (Performing Arts in Early Years)
Abi Crayon is an experienced Performing Arts Educator with over seventeen years of designing and delivering innovative drama and movement programs for children and young people. She holds a Master’s degree in Education (Performing Arts in Early Years) from Birmingham City University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Performing Arts Leadership from the Royal Northern College of Music and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performance from Huddersfield University.
Her career spans schools, theatres, and community arts organizations across the UK and internationally. Abi has led drama departments in both Singapore and the UK, most recently as Head of Drama at Notting Hill Prep School in London. She previously served as Head of Elementary Drama at Stamford American International School Singapore, mentoring teachers, shaping curriculum, and presenting at international education conferences.
At the heart of Abi’s practice is her commitment to creating safe, joyful spaces where children can explore their imaginations, build their confidence, and thrive through the performing arts. Relocating to Newcastle in 2025, Abi is excited to continue inspiring young performers and fostering creativity within the Hive community! When Abi isn’t at Hive, she loves spending time at the theatre, travelling, and discovering new places. She is also a dedicated meditator, and as a qualified meditation and mindfulness teacher, she values taking time to pause, breathe, and recharge.
BRIDGET PONMAN
Head of Productions & Voice Teacher
Olivia Harrington
Theatre Teacher
Lauren Britt
Theatre & Music Teacher
Lauren is a dedicated performing arts educator, vocalist and multi‑instrumentalist who strives to nurture creativity, confidence and artistic excellence in every student she teaches. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Music Studies – Jazz Voice) from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and is eager to pursue further master’s study.
From a young age, Lauren has been immersed in the performing arts, growing up in a family of musicians and surrounded by dance, music and creative expression. Her lifelong passion is reflected in her diverse experience across musicals (orchestra and cast), choirs, dance groups, backstage roles, production work and more.
Lauren is particularly passionate about singing. During her university studies, she developed a strong interest in vocal anatomy and physiology, a foundation that now shapes her teaching. This knowledge enables her to guide students toward efficient, safe and sustainable vocal technique, helping them build healthy habits for long‑term vocal development while empowering them with a deeper understanding of their own voice. Lauren is excited to share her knowledge, passion and experience to equip and inspire the students at the HIVE, fostering a learning environment where every performer can flourish.
Patrick Howlett
Theatre & Drama Teacher
Patrick has always had a love for all things performing. He
has performed locally with a variety of different theatre companies such as –
The Very Popular Theatre Company, Hunter Drama, What Theatre Company, Insight Acting and Newcastle Theatre Company. He has starred in productions of MAMMA MIA, MARY POPPINS, SCHOOL OF ROCK, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, BILLY ELLIOT, 9-5 THE MUSICAL and THE CRUCIBLE. Patrick also undertook a year long internship with the Performing Arts Program ASPIRE, which enabled him to write and direct his own shows, stage manage, set and costume design and work with young thespians across Newcastle. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Secondary Education with the majoring teaching area being Drama.
Ruby Edwards
Theatre & Dance Teacher
Ruby is a graduate from the Hunter School of the Performing arts where she received a band six in both HSC dance and drama. She has been performing on stage since the age of 10. Most notably in the shows Frozen JR as Anna, Little mermaid as Ursula and Shrek as Fiona. Ruby has been a part of the star struck choreography team for 2 years and was a featured singer in 2025. She went to New York for her dancing where she danced with the Rockettes and in Disneyland. Ruby has been teaching musical theatre and dance since 2023 and is currently studying at Newcastle university in secondary education specializing in the performing arts.
JESS GAVIN
Management & Communications
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.
Georgi Lamond
Theatre Teacher
Georgi is a passionate musical theatre educator with a Bachelor of Stage and Screen (Acting), combining professional training with practical industry experience. With a background in both acting and directing, she inspires students to build confidence, creativity, and a genuine love for performance. Georgi’s teaching approach focuses on creating a safe, inclusive, and enthusiastic environment where students feel supported to take risks, explore their creativity, and grow as performers. She believes in learning through play, curiosity, and collaboration, encouraging students to develop skills while enjoying the process.
As a performer, Georgi has appeared in productions including Shrek the
Musical (Pinocchio), Merrily We Roll Along, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Addams
Family, One Man, Two Guvnors, and Clue, bringing valuable real-world insight into the
classroom.
Matt Harper
Drama Teacher
Matt is an actor, educator, and researcher based in Newcastle, Australia. His
creative practice is shaped by movement, ensemble, and play, with a strong focus on
engaging young people in high-quality creative arts education. He completed a PhD
in Education at the University of Newcastle in 2023 and now works as a Postdoctoral
Research Fellow in the Teachers and Teaching Research Centre. As an actor, Matt trained locally at Pasvolsky Actors Studio and Whale Chorus, and internationally at Shakespeare & Company in the USA. His performance experience spans immersive and devised theatre across a range of contexts, alongside professional productions of Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Matt has taught drama in schools and at the university level, and is currently the
Education Coordinator at Whale Chorus, where he designs and delivers theatre-in-
education programs for young people and professional learning for teachers.
Matt is deeply committed to providing high-quality creative arts and drama education
that supports young people’s imagination, expression and confidence. Outside the
classroom, he spends time training with The Movement Collective, making theatre
and art, or playing with his dog, Henry.
Voice Teachers
Brianna Lynch
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.
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.
