Meet our conductors

Jillian Bridgeis a respected violin teacher, conductor and freelance violinist and an accredited member of the Music Teachers’ Associationof New South Wales. Conductor of Fisher’s Ghost Youth orchestra in Campbelltown for 15 years, Jillian also taught chambermusic at the Sydney Conservatorium Access Centre for more than 5 years. She has been string tutor at many music camps including the State Education Department’s music camps and several School Spectaculars at the Entertainment Centre. Jillian was a regular member of the local baroque group Les Amis for many years.

Jillian is the string teacher for the string program at Wollondilly Anglican College as well as conducts their string ensembles. She maintains a large number of private violin students from beginner to Associate Diploma level. Jillian has been a regular member of the orchestra “The Occasional Performing Sinfonia” (TOPS) since it commenced in 1993 and plays for a variety of musical societies in Sydney. She is a founding and ongoing member of Macarthur Strings Quartetand has been Concert Master of Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra since its inauguration in 2004.

Jillian has been the Musical Director of Macarthur Singers choir since 2007. With Macarthur Singers she was privileged to be the first and only person to conduct Karl Jenkins’multimedia work The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace with massed choir and symphony orchestra to the official film, twice! In her “spare time” she sings with a Capella choir ‘Southland’ formed to sing at overseas choral festivals.

Jillian has guest conducted South West Sydney Philharmonic, The TOPS Orchestra and the Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra.

Brad is an experienced music educator and conductor who has taught at a number of schools across South-West Sydney. Brad has worked as a peripatetic music tutor, classroom teacher and conductor. He is currently Band and Strings Conductor at St Peter’s Anglican Grammar, Campbelltown.

Brad loves seeing students come to life in the transformative space of the music/band room. As a firm believer that music is for everyone, Brad prides himself on his ability to encourage and inspire students of all ages to develop their musicality and perseverance. He is thrilled to take up the position as band conductor for a community program such as SWSO, which has been fostering the musicality of kids in the Macarthur region for more than 30 years.

Michelle has served as Principal Cellist with a range of ensembles including Steel City Strings, the Sydney Concert Orchestra, the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, and the Young Mannheim Symphonists program. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance), an LMusA Diploma in Cello, and an AMusA Diploma in Piano.

Her teaching is shaped by her own love of music and a desire to share that with the next generation of musicians. She prioritises nurturing her students while building strong, well-rounded musicianship. Michelle has been part of SWSO since 2024 and has greatly enjoyed her involvement with the program.