Lesley Lewis: Musical Director

Lesley took the role of conducting the Hills Choral Society in 2005. She has a wealth of experience gained from years of teaching and performing music. Her career encompassed teaching at the SA Dept of Education (DECS) and the Elder Conservatorium, University of Adelaide over some thirty years. Now as a freelance musician, in addtition to her work with Hills Choral Society, she directs the music at St Michael's Anglican Church, Mitcham, conducts the itinerant Quire St Nicolas, and maintains her performance on the harpsichord for Adelaide Baroque Inc.

Lesley has consistently worked to maintain and improve the standard of the choir; she regularly holds sight singing sessions for new members of the choir and music workshops for all the choir to learn new musical techniques.

John Drake: Accompanist

John has been with Hills Choral since 1999. Well-known in Adelaide music circles, his experience includes television, radio, theatre, music education, arranging and recording. He was Director of Music at Pulteney Grammar School for over 20 years, and currently works with choirs and coaching music students at Woodcroft College.

John’s arrangements have been featured by the Tea-Rose Duo, and the Metropolitan Male Choir on their overseas tours. He is in demand as an accompanist and theatre music director, where he has worked with several S.A. and interstate companies, and he has accompanied a wide variety of music performers during his career. As a duo with Scottish tenor, Sam Cunningham, he has toured Australia and New Zealand. John is also currently organist and choir-master at Westbourne Park Uniting Church.