Recital Centre, Conservatorium and WA Ballet name new leaders
The arts world has been relieved of a three-part play of uncertainty with major organisations selecting their new leaders
Three senior arts appointments have been made in three states this week, with new leaders selected for the Melbourne Recital Centre, Sydney Conservatorium of Music and West Australian Ballet.
Euan Murdoch, director of Wellington’s Te Koki New Zealand School of Music, replaces Mary Vallentine as the MRC’s chief executive. Murdoch, a cellist and educator, led Chamber Music New Zealand for nine years and produced No Man’s Land, a multimedia project about World War I that brought together musicians from around the world. He will start in September.
In a statement yesterday, MRC chairwoman Kathryn Fagg praised Murdoch’s commitment to music, education and community engagement: “The board was also pleased to be able to recruit from the region, and we believe Euan’s perspective from our near neighbour combined with his strong links to the Australian and international music scenes are unique assets.”
The University of Sydney announced Anna Reid as the new head of school and dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music following a tumultuous period for the institution.
Reid has been involved in music education for years, and has been acting dean since the middle of last year, when Karl Kramer abruptly announced his resignation amid an internal investigation into his credit card use. Sydney University vice-chancellor Michael Spence said Reid had shown “great leadership and depth of industry knowledge” at the Con. “Her long association with the Conservatorium as a student, alumna and teacher puts her in a great position to lead this premier Australian music institution.”
Jessica Machin, meanwhile, was appointed executive director of the West Australian Ballet following the resignation of Steven Roth. Machin, who most recently led Country Arts WA, will start in August.
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