SUE CARSON

Sue Carson is a classically trained multi-genre singer and instrumentalist (violin, mandolin and guitar) who has performed as a professional musician for over 35 years in genres including opera, musical theatre, pop, rock, country, folk, soul, bluegrass, and jazz. Sue is Coordinator of the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music and was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Music this year in April. She is a musical whirlwind, explorer and all-rounder, and is a founding member of Love That Hat.

Most know Sue for her exquisite coloratura soprano performances including Mozart’s “Queen of the Night” in The Magic Flute, Strauss’s “Rosalinde” in Die Fledermaus, and “Cunegonde” in Bernstein’s Candide, her music theatre roles as “Mrs Lovett” in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, “Carrie” in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel or for her band work with Sligo MaidLove That Hat and the multi award-winning, Golden Guitar nominated Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band.

A recipient of the prestigious Doris Smith Scholarship for overseas study, Sue has also been nominated for several CONDA’s, and her original compositions have been nominated for ABC awards. Much of Sue’s performance work has involved touring extensively both nationally and at regional and festival venues. She has worked extensively as a session player and vocalist and is on the A-list of national fiddle players.

Sue has performed with Australia’s most elite country and folk stars such as Troy Cassar-Daley, The McClymonts, Sara Storer, Adam Harvey, O’Shea, Beccy Cole and the Bushwackers. Sue takes every opportunity to perform in classical recitals and concerts and has been a featured soloist in other Newcastle Music Festival events including the University of Newcastle Choir and Echology collaboration of Carmina Burana in 2018 and solo recitals with composer pianist Ross Fiddes.

As Associate Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Sue’s wealth of experience in live vocal and instrumental performance is highly valued. She is coordinator and teacher of contemporary performance, music industry and project courses. She is planning a commercial release of her PhD creative work which is a thirteen-track album in nine vocal genres and will continue her research in music education, performance and creative practice. Sue is looking forward to singing again in this festival concert with Ben Mingay who played “Papageno” in her first season as “Queen of the Night” in The Magic Flute in 2000.

AT THE FESTIVAL

Scroll to Top