Neil Coy, Celia Christmass

Conductor / Leader

Neil Coy is employed by the Department of Education in Western Australia, through which he directs groups extensively within the Department, directing several bands and orchestras, including both the Senior Wind Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra of the prestigious Perth Modern School music programme. A graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Neil holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) in conducting from Edith Cowan University, and continues to be involved in the life of the University, currently lecturing in Instrumental Music Pedagogy and Ensemble Direction and Conducting units. In the past he has directed the University Wind Ensemble, and also guest lectured at the University of Western Australia on instrumental ensemble pedagogy. As a freelance trombonist, Neil has performed professionally in Perth for over twenty five years, mainly as a casual member of the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, but also with many visiting opera, ballet and musical theatre companies. A career highlight was performing in two concert seasons with the Prague Chamber Orchestra as part of their 2001 and 2006 Australian tour programmes.