VOCAL  •  ANGELA HARDING

Angela is a passionate singer and performer and completed a Bachelor of Music – majoring in Classical Voice at the QLD Conservatorium of Music. For the past 8 years Angela has performed in music theatre, opera, cabaret, in concert and at corporate events in major venues around Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Some of her performance experience includes Simon Gallaher's production of THE MIKADO in Brisbane and Adelaide, the Narrator in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT with Harvest Rain Theatre Company at the QLD Performing Arts Playhouse Theatre, ORFEO and EURIDICI as a part of Brisbane Music Festival, performing in concert with the QLD POPS Orchestra, the NRA Fashion Awards and Brisbane's CAROLS IN THE CITY.

Angela is also a songwriter and writes in the style of pop, soul/funk and cabaret. Angela has been teaching voice for a number of years and has a passion for investing in developing artists. Angela believes the role of a teacher is to encourage and challenge a student to reach their full potential.

VOCAL  • CHELSI NIKKERUD

Chelsi is a highly experienced singer/actress from Miami, FL in the United States of America. With her she brings years of extensive training in the fields of musical performance and stage performance. Covering the small stages of "Off Broadway" performances, to international stages around the world, some of her credits include shows like Oliver Twist, Oedipus' Medea, Rodger's and Hammerstein's State Fair, Anne of Green Gables, and many more. Chelsi has also had the opportunity to perform in various world premier shows at St. Patrick's Cathedral and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

As a musician and actress, Chelsi has completed courses in Classical, Theatre, and Jazz Vocal Performance from both Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, and studied at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. She has also completed courses in Acting, Improvisation, and Stage Movement from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. An experienced session vocalist; she has had the opportunity to perform with jazz bands throughout both America and Australia, backing well-known jazz musicians

A valued member of the Planetshakers band, Chelsi regularly tours the world leading others in worship and encouraging them to know God in a personal way. In every part of her teaching, Chelsi has a passion to see people reach their full potential in their craft, as both performers and worshipers…equipping performers with the ability and confidence to use their gift to the best of their ability!

VOCAL  •  LINDY WRAY

Lindy has 16 years teaching experience in voice and piano. Throughout her formative years she performed in many concerts, musicals and Eisteddfods; nurturing a love of music and the Arts. Studying Classical Voice at Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide, she has a Bachelor of Music – Performance, was a soloist in University performances and a member of The Corinthian Singers. Combined with her involvement in contemporary church worship teams, and further personal vocal development, she has a strong foundation of vocal technique and performance.

Lindy has taught voice in various private schools in Adelaide, assisting many young performers to successfully prepare for scholarships, auditions and Eisteddfods. Her piano students have been successful in AMEB exams, and some vocal and piano students have continued in tertiary studies of music. She has also trained choirs and vocal ensembles in schools and churches.

Moving with her family to Melbourne in 2006, Lindy is very excited about her teaching role at SOCA. It is her great desire to see each person develop and nurture their gifts and talents and discover their God given potential. 

VOCAL  •  NATALIE CARGER

Having taught voice for over 14 years, Natalie has a wealth of knowledge to offer her students. She studied Jazz Voice at the Elder Conservatorium and has over 8 years of solid technique training. Natalie is well equipped to challenge and inspire even the most advanced vocalist. With a heavy emphasis on correct vocal technique, she is experienced with re-training incorrect singing habits.

Natalie is the Manager of Planetshakers School of Creative Arts. She is also Director of the Planetshakers Choir, a massive vocal worship ensemble of over 90 members. Natalie performs regularly as a backing vocalist at Planetshakers City Church and has toured internationally with the Planetshakers Band. Natalie has been singing professionally in vocal groups, gospel groups, church worship teams, and for large corporate events for many years. It is this background in group vocals, which accurately and passionately enables her to teach vocal ensembles. She always seeks to empower the individual to achieve more than ever thought possible.

VOCAL  •  SOPHIE MILDENHALL

Sophie began her vocal training at the age of 9 in group singing lessons where she received grounding in her breathing technique. At the age of 11 she moved on to private singing lessons with Susan Hawkins-Hart, a former Opera singer with Opera Australia and “Carlotta” in the Australian cast of Phantom of the Opera. Sophie has completed up to grade 7 classical singing exams through Trinity College London. Throughout High School Sophie cultivated a love for Musical Theatre and when she graduated she was accepted into the Arts Academy, Ballarat University to study a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre). There she studied many styles of singing, dance and acting. After graduating she lived in Japan for 2 years where she was seen in several Japanese Ads and a TV Show, as well as being a news reader on Japanese radio, “FM Cocolo”. She also wrote and performed her own stage show while in Japan.

Sophie’s next venture was as the lead female vocalist on some ships in the Princess Cruises fleet opposite her husband, Andrew. They continued on this path for two contracts and then settled in Melbourne where they became established at Planetshakers City Church, and Sophie has embarked on a Certificate IV of Contemporary Leadership at Planetshakers College.

KEYS  •  VOCAL  •  BEGINNER GUITAR  •  SONGWRITING  •  BJ PRIDHAM

BJ Pridham is one of our newest teachers at Planetshakers School of Creative Arts. He is a musician and songwriter at Planetshakers and has been involved in the Planetshakers team for 2 years. Having played and written from a young age he has developed his gifting for service. BJ has served under some of the world’s finest writers and worship leaders, has a Diploma in Ministry and contributes to Planetshakers through his musicianship and song writing. Some songs to BJ’s credit include ‘The Hope of All Hearts’ and ‘Heal Our Land’, available through Planetshakers. His passion is writing worship for the church, and has an anointing to write songs for seasons. Not only does he have a passion for worship but also has a desire to impart to others. BJ is currently offering lessons through the School of Creative Arts for Piano, Guitar and Song writing Classes.

PIANO  •  VOCAL  •  JEN ENCHELMAIER

Jen is a freelance pianist based in Melbourne and works as an instrumental accompanist, vocal coach and language coach. She completed her studies at the Conservatoire National de Nice in France in 2004 and since then has worked for a variety of universities and companies in the UK and Australia. She performs a broad range of musical styles, including standard classical repertoire, contemporary classical compositions, music theatre and opera.

BASS GUITAR  •  JOSHUA HAM

Joshua Ham is a highly accomplished bass guitarist. He has had a myriad of experience performing in bands, and has an excellent foundation in theory studies. Joshua has completed Grade 8 under the AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board), received a high distinction in Music Performance at VCE level, and has studied under many great instrumental teachers, including Ashley Smith, Kim May, Jonathan Dimond, Neil Kennedy, Ron Hanson and Nathan Hill. He has performed with many bands and artists, including Sounds Like Chicken, Dizzy Grass, Cindy V., Milk and the KiloLitres, and Running on Empty, as well as headlining with the Simeon Band at various events across Australia, and performing onstage regularly at Crossway Baptist Church. In 1996, he performed onstage with Michael Jackson on the HIStory World Tour.

Joshua brings his own unique style to help guide his students to be the best bass guitar player that they can be. For anyone wanting to take their playing to the next level, Joshua has the wealth of experience necessary to take one’s bass guitar technique from strength to strength.

DRUMS  •  MARK CHEWEY

With over 20 years drumming experience, Mark’s drumming journey so far has been an exciting one. As a former student in jazz studies, Mark has played in a variety of musical situations, including theatre productions such as "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat". He has played appearances on television shows like Good Morning Australia, Sunrise and Starstruck, along with extensive tours in countries such as the UK, USA, Asia and the Middle East.

Mark’s musical work has lead him to perform with numerous artists, including Guy Sebastian, Jack Jones, Bill Summers and Jerry Z (The Headhunters), John Lord (Deep Purple), Tommy Emannuel, James Morrison, Tina Arena, Renee Geyer, John St. Peters, Darlene Zschech, The Twilights (with Terry Britten), Bev Harrell and Normie Rowe to name a few. He has also played in many tribute shows ranging from Led Zeppelin, Burt Bacharach, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, The Yellow Jackets, Toto/Steeley Dan, Joe Satriani and Stevie Wonder. He has also been involved in many studio and live recordings, including playing with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. He then drummed and appeared in the video for Guy Sebastian’s 2007 MTV Best Pop Video “Elevator Love”, and also playing a drumming part in the film "Broken Hill", directed by Academy Award Winner, Timothy Hutton.

With a wealth of drumming experience to pass onto students, Mark is passionate about seeing his students grow and achieve. Currently Mark continues to work hard in an effort to grow, as does his thirst to be the best he can and succeed in his musical practice.

DRUMS  •  MIKE DAY

Michael is a naturally talented drummer who first began lessons at the age of 15. Being founded in all modern styles and with strength in technique, Michael has studied all levels of the AMEB course in drumming practical and theory.

Michael’s approach brings a mixture of fun and excitement to his teaching style, while grounding his students in the importance of technique. Providing a broad stylistic approach with adaptive teaching styles and know-how, Michael will inspire and encourage students to greater things.

He has completed the Planetshakers Internship studying drums in the creative stream, where he was trained by Andy Harrison.

DANCE  •  TARINI SASHIDAHARAN

With a portfolio to make anyone look twice, Tarini Sashidaharan certainly has a wealth of experience to draw from. Taking dance classes from as early as she can remember, Tarini’s love and flair for dance have helped open doors to professional training in Australia and abroad. Having studied and trained for her Diploma of Performing Arts at Melbourne’s Dance World 301, she went on to further her training in London. It was later in the United States however, that Tarini found herself working with some of the world’s most cutting-edge choreographers and gaining insight into how they produce routines for the likes of Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Usher to name a few.

SPEECH PATHOLOGY  •  ELISE SWALLOW

Elise Swallow is a Speech Pathologist who specializes in assessment and treatment for speakers and singers wanting to improve how their voice sounds, their vocal quality, vocal health, and vocal stamina. Elise has a Bachelor of Science in Human Communication Science (Speech Pathology). She was educated at Curtin University, Perth, and La Trobe University, Melbourne, and is currently a member of Speech Pathology Australia. She has undergone specific training and education in the area of voice disorders, vocal health, and voice production with professional and recreational voice users. In 2008, Elise was educated in Voicecraft International voice training techniques. In addition to her training, Elise has been involved in performing arts (acting, singing, dancing) in the realm of children’s entertainment in Western Australia, for 5 years. Elise’s passion for seeing speakers and singers use their most effective and efficient voices ensure she will provide the best service for all clients.