VicWelsh Music Team
The Victoria Welsh Choir’s remarkable success and enduring musical excellence can be largely attributed to the dedication and expertise of our talented music team. Under their skilled guidance and leadership, our choir has consistently delivered powerful performances that move and inspire audiences. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are fortunate to have exceptional musicians directing our artistic journey.
Here are its present members:
Rushan Hewawasam
Musical Director
Sri Lankan Rushan has been in Australia since 2005, joined VicWelsh in 2012 as a second tenor and was appointed Associate MD in 2019 and Musical Director in March 2024. Heavily involved in music from a young age, conducting the school choir when he was 15, he is an accomplished soloist, pianist, arranger and choral conductor. In early 2024 he masterminded the musical events celebrating his old school Wesley College Colombo’s 150th anniversary, culminating in a huge concert involving over 500 singers and musicians. He is also the MD of Melbourne’s Sri Lankan choir Euphony. Professionally, Rushan is an accountant and currently CEO of a medical education and GP Practice Group.
Mary O’Driscoll
Ballarat Accompanist
A.Mus.A, B.Mus, Melbourne, Dip.Ed, Melbourne, Grad.Dip. Arts & Entertainment Management, Deakin
Mary has had a career in music spanning more than 40 years. Graduating from the Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne in 1980, she worked initially as a piano teacher, accompanist and choral director.
Mary taught at Genazzano FCJ College before moving to Sacré Coeur as Director of Music (1989 – 1998). She was appointed Director of Music at Loreto Mandeville Hall in 1999 and retired from this position in 2018.
Since relocating to Ballarat, Mary has continued to work as a piano teacher, accompanist and VCE music teacher. She is the accompanist for the U3A Choristers and joined the Ballarat chapter of the Victoria Welsh Choir in 2022.
Dr Janice Hayoon Noh
Blackburn Accompanist
PhD (Music Performance), MMus, BMus Melbourne
Janice is an accomplished Korean pianist, accompanist and piano teacher based in Melbourne. Since 2019 she has actively performed as J&Y Piano Duo with Younmi Oh.
Having almost 20 years’ experience as an accompanist, she is currently performing that role with both Victoria and Australian Welsh Choirs as well as with Euphony Choir.
Elizabeth Paton
Bendigo Accompanist and Organist
Elizabeth began learning the organ at her local church at age 16 after 8 years of studying the piano. She spent 4 years studying the organ in Melbourne and is now relief organist at several churches throughout Bendigo. She spent 13 years as accompanist to the Bendigo Youth Choir, and also occasionally plays for Bendigo Chamber Choir & Bendigo Chorale. Elizabeth joined VicWelsh in 2002.
VicWelsh Past Music Team Members
Since our founding, we have been privileged to work with many talented musicians who have shaped our choir’s development. Several accomplished female conductors and accompanists have contributed their expertise to Victoria Welsh Choir since 1988. Their dedication and musical excellence helped establish the strong foundation that our current music team continues to build upon.
Faleiry Koczkar
Musical Director Emerita
B.Mus. (Hons) Nottingham, Dip. Ed. New England, Assoc. Dip. Harp Performance, Royal College of Music London.
In recognition of her exemplary 30 years’ service as MD, culminating in her farewell St David’s Day concert in February 2024, Faleiry was given the honorary title Emerita. In her retirement she continues to play an important mentoring role and teaches a weekly one-hour Welsh pronunciation class at Blackburn.Born in Cardiganshire, Wales, Welsh was her first language not speaking English until she was 6 years of age. Faleiry played the harp in the Welsh National Youth Orchestra and attained a Bachelor of Music degree with honours at Nottingham University, an Associate Diploma for harp performance from the Royal College of Music in London and a Diploma of Education from the University of New England, Armidale, NSW. Faleiry has been a music teacher and director in London, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. She was Director of Music at Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School from 1981 to 1994.Inside and outside our choir Faleiry has also been deeply committed to the sustenance of Welsh language and culture and her work in this area was recognised by the National Eisteddfod of Wales in August 2012 making her Llywydd Cymru A’r Byd (President of Wales and the World) 2012-3 in recognition of her services to Welsh culture and the Welsh community in Melbourne. In 2014 we were proud and absolutely delighted to announce that Faleiry had been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to choir music.Uniquely, it is therefore totally fitting that Faleiry has been honoured not only by her native country but also now by her adopted country.
Lorna Ogilvie
Accompanist (1 March 1998 – 11 December 2024)
B.Mus. (Hons) Melbourne, Dip.Ed. Monash
Originally from South Africa, Lorna was the choir’s accompanist from 1998 and toured nationally and internationally with them on many occasions. She continues to teach piano, accompanies candidates for VCE and AMEB examinations and freelances as an accompanist for schools, choirs and for local and international soloists.Her sensitive accompaniment was noted and praised over the years by various guest artists including local stars Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino and David Hobson.VicWelsh choristers, music team members, supporters and audiences were all hugely appreciative of her quality musicianship, commitment, professionalism and gentle sense of humour. She was a powerful influence on many individual choristers particularly budding soloists and duettists.Her faithful service over nearly 26 years is probably unique amongst Melbourne choirs.