Natalie Claire Woodcock (Director)

Introducing our fearless leader… Natalie Claire Woodcock. Natalie maintains a busy career as music teacher and vocal performer. She is enthusiastic and highly skilled.

Natalie loves singing! She has taken her passion and made it her life’s mission to sing and facilitate community singing. Natalie has an expert knowledge of the voice and dynamic performance experience. Natalie's prodigious talent was nurtured from the tender age of seven when she began studying singing and music.  Since an early age she has performed in talent quests, musicals, auditorium shows, ensemble groups and bands. She has performed for numerous corporate clients, events such as Southern Cross University Graduations, Memorial for the NSW Transport Workers Union, Citizenship Ceremonies and Anzac Dawn Services. Natalie's voice has captivated audiences of thousands at venues such as the International Convention Centre and public events such as Food and Wine Festivals and Carols by Candlelight Concerts. Her voice has graced weddings, funerals, parties, festivals and other functions.  She has been a member of the UNSW Collegium Musicum Choir, toured as a member of the internationally acclaimed Australian Voices and she is the founding member of Cantabile Quartet and Natalie Claire Jazz Band.

A self-confessed vocal pedagogy nerd, Natalie graduated from UNSW with a Bachelor of Music and Music Education majoring in voice. She was classically trained and then studied jazz/contemporary vocal technique. Natalie has trained with various singing teachers such as Shelli Hulcombe (vocal lecturer at Uni of QLD), Jane Pinkerton (Opera Australia) and Sue Falk (University of Sydney). Natalie is currently under the tutelage of Christine Douglas (Pacific Opera Director).  Natalie sings with the effortless ease you would expect of a seasoned professional and is a highly skilled pianist. 

Natalie is an accredited full member of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Music Teachers Association of NSW.  She regularly attends conferences run by the Australian Music Examination Board, the Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia and the Australian Choral Conductors Education and Training. 

Natalie has experience teaching music programs to early childhood groups and at primary schools and high schools. She has enjoyed her varied and demanding roles that have included classroom teaching, development of school curriculum, running of school musicals and the preparation of performances.

Natalie has produced spectacular performances, often combining multiple choirs. She previously worked as a Director of Music for the Australian Youth Choir where she was called upon to direct rehearsals, conduct at various concerts and to run most the auditions across Sydney.  She also previously worked as the Director of the vibrant adult choir One World Choral.

Natalie founded the Sutherland Shire Children's Choir and Cantabile Music to provide outstanding performance and music education opportunities for young singers in the local area. 

Elizabeth Cartmer (Accompanist)

Liz is a high school music teacher, singer and actor. She has been teaching classroom music since 2000, and has also conducted school bands and choirs. Liz has a Bachelor of Education in Music, majoring in piano, and a minor in voice. She also has a C.Mus.A in piano, and a Diploma of Theatre Performance.

Liz has performed extensively as a singer and actor in music theatre, is a current member of the Sydney Symphony Chorus and the Australian Ten Sopranos. She has also appeared across Australian Television in many varied acting roles. Some choral highlights have included singing in the select backing choir for Andrea Bocelli and Delta Goodrem at Qudos Bank Arena, BBC Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular at Qantas Credit Union Arena, King Kong select soundtrack recording- produced by Global Creatures, and the opening night at the BBC Proms in London at The Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conducting highlights include the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics, where she conducted 2 choral pieces with the soloist, and Westiefest Sydney Festival, where Liz conducted a 25 minute choral segment, and also accompanied on the piano.

Liz's passion is children's vocal groups/choirs, and is delighted to be working with the Sutherland Children's Choir.