ABOUT

Bernadette Mether is a highly skilled and experienced musician with diverse talents. From a young age, Bernadette has been drawn to the world of music. She has dedicated her life to honing her skills as a performer and educator. She received her formal music education at the University of Melbourne. She went on to earn additional qualifications from Trinity College, London and the Australian Music Examinations Board.

Bernadette has a passion for both classical and jazz music. In addition, she is known for her versatility as a singer and classical guitar player. She has performed in various settings, including amateur theatre productions, solo recitals, and charity concerts. In recent years, Bernadette has also musically directed several local theatre productions and founded and directed several vocal ensembles. In addition, she has had the opportunity to perform with notable musicians such as pianist Pamela Christie and classical guitarist Tania Ravbar, as well as with the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra and the Citi Opera Chorus.

Bernadette's repertoire includes classical music from the 1500s to music written in the 21st century, jazz and bossa nova numbers and songs by Leonard Cohen and the Beatles. Some of her favourite artists include Yvonne Kenny, Kiri Te Kanawa, Anne Sofie von Otter, Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, Ella Fitzgerald, ABBA, The Beatles, Kate Bush, and Blondie. In addition to her performing career, Bernadette also teaches singing, guitar, and music theory at her private studio in Mornington. She is looking forward to the continued success of her band in the coming year.

Poul Grage, whose name pays homage to his Danish paternal grandfather, boasts a diverse cultural heritage encompassing Catalan, Irish, and Jewish roots on his mother's side. With an upbringing bathed in Australian luminance, a penchant for expansive horizons, and a dash of dry Scandinavian wit complemented by a spark of Catalan passion, Poul's identity is a mosaic of influences.

His academic journey led him through prestigious institutions, and he revelled in the pleasures of collaborating with the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our society. A man of various roles, Poul is a devoted father, a loving husband, and a dedicated community activist.

Poul's musical pursuits centre around percussion and drum kit, guiding him across a sonic landscape shaped by improvised, classical, and non-Western traditions. His musical palette is a vibrant tapestry, drawing inspiration from American, European, and Australian jazz legacies and folk influences from around the world that resonate with these genres.

Among Poul's recent endeavours, he assumed the role of Music Director for "Mirror Dance – Mating of the Weedy Sea Dragon" at FFF23. He also took on the responsibilities of composer and band leader for "Changing Seas," a video and original music performance by ENGLA at the same festival. Poul's creative ventures extended to multi-media versions like "Windows of Longing" as part of "The Heffernan Project" for Banyule Council, featuring collaborations with master percussionists Peter Neville and Steve Falk, compositions by Jenny Game, and video work by Jutta Pryor. Another project, "Life and Death," debuted in March at the Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine, with plans to return for the Castlemaine Jazz Festival in June 2022, featuring renowned accordionist Anthony Schulz and double bassist Michael Currie.

Poul's musical journey also includes recent recordings, such as lockdown releases from Calibrate the System that garnered international airplay, as well as solo projects available on his Bandcamp page. He is set to release "Karakete" with his Kosmos Ensemble, featuring collaborators Rob Vincs, Anne Norman, and Nick Lester.

A founding member of Aurora Lumina, Poul contributes his talents to playing highly structured third stream and chamber jazz compositions by Jenny Game. In addition, he embraces the role of a roving musical clown with FunArts, participating in gigs on local, national, and international stages.

Poul's versatility as a musician extends to freelance work across diverse styles, including rock with Duncan Graham and His Betters, blues with Rob Papp, and funk with The Groove Doctors. His musical journey began in the Melbourne underground scene in the late 80s with Imogen's Diary. Subsequently, he embarked on a national tour with Nusrat Ramble, also known as the Lucky Star Band, featuring notable musicians Nicole Eveleigh (Coco's Lunch) and James Wakeling (Judy Jacques' Lighthouse Band). Poul's musical endeavours include membership in various groups, such as the Kurdish ensemble 'Baran,' ska band 'Skafunkel,' and punk folk ensemble 'Death by Dancing.'

Poul's compositions have graced the airwaves on ABC RN's 'The Daily Planet' and have been featured in live performances by Talking Drum/The Bongo Brothers, as well as in playwright Tee O'Neill's production 'Kwaheri Afrika' at La Mama Theatre. Additionally, his compositions have accompanied the performances of the dance duo SWACK, earning acclaim as the 'Best Short Work' at the 1996 Melbourne Fringe and the Adelaide Fringe festivals.

Beyond his musical pursuits, Poul dedicated 25 years to teaching Music and Humanities. He served as the Head of Music at Mornington SC, and Parkdale SC. He contributed as a Teaching Artist for the Victorian Arts Centre for a decade.

Tonino Berghella is a versatile and accomplished musician passionate about creating classically inspired improvisation. He uses his extensive classical and jazz music knowledge to fuse his unique improvised style. He has performed in various venues across Melbourne, including pubs and concert halls, and busked on the streets. He has also played in Italy with a marching band. He is influenced by many famous musicians such as Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, Jean Pierre Rampal, Emanuel Paude, Herbie Mann, Ian Anderson, Sting, Beatles and many others. His goal is to continue playing, develop his style, and gain a greater audience.

Tonino received his education at the Dame Nellie Melba Conservatory of Music and Box Hill T.A.F.E. He studied classical and jazz music and developed his skills as a performer. He is skilled in flute and piano and has experience as a band leader and music director in amateur theatre. In addition to his musical work, Tonino is a valued member of the instrumental team at Mt. Eliza North Primary School, where he teaches adults and children. He enjoys participating in Bim Bom Set. This small ensemble allows him to explore different musical styles and improve his skills in improvisation. He is known for his broad music knowledge and eclectic tastes. He is exceptionally skilled at improvisation and has a beautiful flute playing style, making him a highly sought-after performer and instructor.

Dale Finch (Bass) .......started playing bass guitar and jamming with school friends at age 13. At age 15, Dale was playing jazz gigs with his father’s bands. Since then, Dale has worked in and around Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula on Electric or Double Bass. The musical genres he covers include Jazz, Rock, Pop, Blues, Soul, Funk and Latin. He has worked with duos through to big bands in restaurants, hotels, receptions and festivals for decades. Dale continues to enjoy providing the Bass foundation (with the occasional vocal contribution) for bands at a professional level covering all popular styles of music.