Ms Sue Carson

Sue Carson's scholarly work draws heavily on her musical experience.

Since winning the Newcastle Conservatorium Doris Smith Scholarship for classical voice in 1997, which enabled her to study for a short time in London, Sue has shown her versatility in national and regional performances in a diversity of scenarios including contemporary ensembles, opera, oratorio, musicals, jazz concerts, and orchestras before and during her position as an academic. She sustains a very active performance portfolio and has an extensive network of industry colleagues. Sue's performance and academic career in music has helped forge deep connections with the musical community. Sue was appointed Conservatorium Coordinator in January was awarded  her PhD in April, 2024.

Sue’s coloratura soprano performances include Mozart’s Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Strauss’s Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus and Cunegonde in Bernstein’s Candide. She played Heloise in the debut performances of original production Abelard and Heloise by Ross Fiddes and Paul Kavanagh. In music theatre she has played numerous roles including Mrs Lovett in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, Carrie in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel and Mrs Peachum in Weill's Threepenny Opera. Her pop/celtic/bluegrass/rock turn-outs include award winning folk rock band Sligo Maid (to 1999) and current band Love That Hat. Sue has been a featured soloist in oratorio and choral works such as Orff's Carmina Burana and Handel's Messiah.

As a member of the award-winning Bob Corbett Band and the Roo Grass Band, Sue plays fiddle and mandolin, and sings backing vocals. The band has four Golden Guitar nominations, tours nationally and has had extensive radio airplay on Country Music Channel and top ten songs on the CMC country charts. She is in demand as a session musician for recordings and performances and has played and sung for Australia's elite country stars such as Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, The McClymonts, Sara Storer, Adam Harvey, The Adam Eckersley Band, Amber Lawrence and The Bushwackers. Sue completed a Bachelor of Arts in French and Drama in 1992 and L.Mus.A in Singing in 2010. She is currently studying for a PhD (Music) exploring the performance practice of female crossover singers and associated pedagogies. Sue teaches singing at community and tertiary level at the Newcastle University Conservatorium. She has conducted workshops for school students, University students and at regional music camps.

Sue was nominated for several CONDAs (City of Newcastle Drama Awards) including best professional actress as Beatrice in Hunter Valley Theatre Company’s The Venetian Twins (1996), Susanna in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro (2004), and best supporting actress as Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Magic Flute (2009). Sue was also chosen as one of 16 singers nationwide for The Ronald Dowd Summer School for Singers, 2000 Advanced Singers Mastercourse with tutors Victor Morris, Christa Leahmann and Geoffrey Chard in Sydney and won the ABC Newcastle Music Award for Best Female Vocalist in 2003. 

Research Expertise
Recent empirical evidence in the area of vocal performance and pedagogy suggests that singers want to learn more than one style. My creative performance work involves the parallel exploration and combination of a variety of singing and instrumental styles including, opera, music theatre, pop, rock, jazz, soul, folk and bluegrass. Through this approach to performance and also through years of teaching multiple genres of voice, I have developed a vocal technique and pedagogy that is at the centre of my research. I am constantly evaluating the challenges inherent in the rare practice of singing a variety of styles on a regular basis and how to convey this knowledge to my students. My PhD is titled "Sensational Synthesis: An investigation of the art of the female professional singer's performance of multiple vocal genres" and included analysis of the creative and technical processes involved in singing multiple genres from the practitioner perspective as well as a major creative work (album of thirteen songs in several genres).

Teaching Expertise

Associate Lecturer of voice and contemporary performance 
Voice teacher to Conservatorium community students 
Manages and conducts small ensembles, group voice techniques and improvisation classes. 
Several group workshops, music camps, masterclasses and co-ordination of showcase concerts. 

Administrative Expertise

Committee member of NSW ANATS Chapter