OUR TEAM
Susan Gilmartin
General Manager
Susan brings a wealth of experience in project, event, travel, and volunteer management to her role as General Manager at Upbeat Arts, proudly serving the organisation since the launch of its first choir in 2014.
Born in Bundaberg, Susan grew up surrounded by the arts, studying piano, dance,and voice while actively performing with the Bundaberg Players. Her lifelong passion for music and creativity has remained a constant thread alongside her professional journey.
Susan’s career has spanned a variety of industries and roles, including a highlight working at World Expo 88, where she played a pivotal role in planning and delivering a packed schedule of events at the iconic Piazza venue. This experience of bringing people together through large-scale creative events continues to inspire her work today.
In her role as General Manager, Susan now focuses on recruiting and supporting staff, stakeholder engagement, policy development, onboarding, research partnerships, member workshops, and overseeing events. While much of her work happens behind the scenes, she values dropping into programs regularly to stay connected with members and experience firsthand the impact of Upbeat Arts.
Susan is deeply passionate about Upbeat Arts’ role in “Recovery through the Arts” and is committed to working towards the expansion of Upbeat Arts, ensuring more people across Queensland have the opportunity to experience creativity, community, and connection.
For her own mental health, Susan loves to sing, spend time with her family, and enjoy the company of her beautiful Golden Retriever, Summer.
Emma Dean
State Artistic Lead - Music and Repertoire
Emma joined Upbeat Arts in September 2024. For around 18 months she led the two Brisbane Choirs. Whilst family commitments mean she can' no longer lead the choirs on a weekly basis, she remains on the team as our State Artistic Lead - Music and Repertoire. In this role, Emma will support the artistic side of Upbeat Arts, and the growing number of artists working with us.
Emma is an internationally acclaimed musician, creativity coach, performer, writer, composer, arranger, dreamer, and choir mama based in Meanjin/Brisbane. As a musician, Emma is passionate about the magical world where music and storytelling collide.
She has released over ten independent EPs, albums and soundtracks, played lead roles in theatre shows such as Cabaret and The Tempest (Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre), and toured around Australia and internationally including performances of her own shows on Off-Broadway and
Edinburgh Fringe to rave reviews.
In 2018, Emma was a featured soloist in The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, singing John Farnham’s iconic song – You’re The Voice – accompanied by Brisbane-based choir Voices Of Birralee.
Emma was announced as the 2023 Griffith University Outstanding Young Alumni winner for Arts, Education and Law. She was also honoured to receive a prestigious ’40 Under 40’ award – a celebration of young leaders, visionaries and entrepreneurs from Queensland.
When Emma is not on stage or coaching, she can be found writing choral arrangements for choirs and musicians, including John Farnham, Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Glenn Shorrock (Little River Band) and Voices Of Birralee. She is a passionate advocate for the magical healing qualities of group singing and proudly leads a colourful community choir in Brisbane called Cheep Trill who she considers to be her extended family, alongside all the Upbeat Arts Choirs.
Richard Thayil
State Artistic Lead - Culture and Quality
Accompanist - Brisbane Choirs
Richard Thayil, Melbourne born, Brisbane freelance multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, music educator and accompanist.
Richard is the resident accompanist for both Brisbane choirs and has a long history with Upbeat Arts. In 2025 he stepped into the role of Upbeat Arts State Artistic Lead - Culture and Quality to provide support and guidance to all artists.
Richard studied the Piano, Saxophone and Trombone in his schooling years in Melbourne.
He has been accompanying since 1993 and began working professionally as a performing musician, composer/arranger and music educator in 1997. Richard moved to Brisbane in 1999, completed a Bachelor of Music in composition at QUT. He teaches multi instrumental music in primary and high schools and currently lectures in aural studies and arranging at QUT.
As a conductor he has been MD for various musicals and shows – Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof and other local productions. Richard enjoys regularly performing locally, nationally and internationally. He loves to be in the studio recording music for various artists. Richard’s eclectic skill set has afforded him the privilege of working with many and varied artists, such as James Morrison, Pete Murray and Gerry Connelly. He is the founder, director and arranger for his big band The Empty Chair Project. Richard has a deep passion for musicians, especially his three beautiful children.
Nicole Lynam
State Stakeholder Engagement Lead
Nicole Lynam is a social worker and program leader with over 20 years’ experience working closely with communities across child protection, stakeholder engagement, workforce development and government reform in Queensland and the UK.
She has led state-wide initiatives and brings a people-centred approach to her communications and program design.
Known for her collaborative and creative approach, Nicole is passionate about hearing the voice of service users, and translating complex issues into clear, accessible messaging that supports real change.
Nicole is an advocate for mental health and knows first hand the benefits of singing. She has a love of music, and is a member of the Cheep Trill choir, including a chorus part in Cheep Trill’s original Community Choir: The Musical, as part of the Brisbane Festival in 2025.
Bringing her wealth of experience to Upbeat Arts, Nicole combines her experience in social impact with her skills in branding, social media, and storytelling. She is very excited to be working with Upbeat Arts to help amplify the voices of our members, strengthen community connections, and share the joy and purpose of our programs with wider audiences.
Amelia Harris
Program Leader - Brisbane
Amelia manages our Brisbane choir, North Brisbane choir and both creative writing groups (Brisbane and online). Amelia is a passionate, dedicated and genuinely caring Program Leader who is a trusted and familiar presence for members, volunteers, and staff alike.
Amelia brings extensive corporate experience as a former director in IT and project management and people management skills.
Amelia is a kind, caring, and supportive presence for both members and volunteers, and a trusted point of connection at each program.
Amelia brings much warmth, laughter, and a strong sense of purpose to everything she does.
Highly organised and very much a “let’s get this done” person.
Chantal Le Goff
Program Leader - Sunshine Coast
Chantal is managing our choir program on the Sunshine Coast. Chantal is a skilled project leader and is experienced in business administration, project and relationship management and has lead community support projects in the UK and Australia across a range of sectors including charities, education, finance and engineering.
Chantal is personally aware of how uplifting singing can be, and the positive impact it can have on wellbeing, energy, and a sense of community and connection. She is a strong advocate for positive mental health and is passionate about creating a safe, non judgemental environment where people feel comfortable to simply be themselves.
Chantal is a creative, warm, and energetic person with a love of art and music, particularly singing. She has enjoyed singing from a young age and values the mental health benefits that singing together can offer. Her experience includes being a member of an a cappella choir, as well as training with the Sydney Philharmonia Choir for a season to perform in the televised Christmas Concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Originally from Jersey, Channel Islands, Chantal proudly calls the Sunshine Coast home.
Clare Cook
Program Leader - Gold Coast
Clare is the Program Leader for our new Gold Coast Choir, bringing a unique blend of experience across the Community Services, Allied Health, and Business sectors.
Her work-life has been driven by a consistent focus on people, purpose, and social impact through meaningful community engagement.
Clare is passionate about connecting with others and understands the powerful role that supportive and empowering environments play in transforming lives. She also recognises the value of creative expression in helping individuals reach their full potential. In her youth, Clare loved dancing, playing piano, and participating in youth drama groups. Today, her creative outlets include crocheting, cooking, and spending time in nature.
Clare holds a deep appreciation for the transformative power of music and its ability to foster connection and promote wellbeing. She is excited to contribute to the meaningful work being done by Upbeat Arts.
Amy Della-Torre
Program Leader - Bundaberg
Amy is the Program Leader for the Bundaberg choir. She grew up in Bundy and after galavanting around Brisbane for the past decade she is happy to be back home.
She brings with her over a decade of experience working in social services and is deeply committed to building kind, caring and inclusive communities.
Amy believes everyone deserves a space where they feel calm, cared for and a part of something. She is honoured be a part of the Upbeat Arts team and hopes the Bundy choir can be a point of connection for many people in the community.
Outside of choir, you can find Amy saying hello to any animal she sees (especially cats), frolicking through nature, riding her bike or losing track of time reading books.
Claire Christian
Creative Writing Leader
Claire Christian is a storyteller, writer, theatre maker, and facilitator. Claire leads our two Creative Writing programs, including an online program and a face to face program with an online participation option, supporting participants to explore self expression through writing in a welcoming and inclusive space.
Claire has four plays published by Playlab, including Lysa and The Freeborn Dames, which debuted at La Boite Theatre Company in 2018. She has had the great joy of directing Michelle Law’s smash hit comedy ‘Single Asian Female’ since 2017.
Her debut novel ‘Beautiful Mess’ won the Text Prize in 2016 and was released in 2017. Her second novel ‘It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake’, a contemporary adult fiction romance, was released in 2020 through Text Publishing.
Ally Bing
Conductor - Sunshine Coast
Ally joined Upbeat Arts as the piano accompanist for the new Sunshine Coast choir when it launched in 2024. In 2025, we’re excited that Ally has stepped into the role of Conductor.
Ally is a dynamic teacher, accompanist, visual artist, songwriter, and musician.
Ally lives in the Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast near Maleny, Queensland. While taught classically on piano 1998 – 2008, her upbringing in the southeast of
the United States also informed her taste for Appalachachian folk music and she enjoys playing clawhammer-style banjo in addition to piano. She completed a Bachelors of Science degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from the Honors College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina in 2012. Ally has taught piano and music lessons in Australia for over ten years, and, like many who immigrate to a new area, also opened a small food business.
Ally’s joy in life is singing and harmony. She has participated in choirs for most of her life, most recently, Sweet Chilli, an all-women’s a capella choir in Maleny. Ally is well-known locally to the Maleny community for her soulful musical performances, including with her jam band Bizarrely Quartet.
Ally brings a warm, friendly, and supportive personality, with energy and musical skill, to the team.
Denis Feletto
Accompanist - Sunshine Coast
Denis Feletto is a classically trained pianist, composer, and arranger with a passion for jazz, cinematic music, and ensemble collaboration. Originally from Italy, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Piano Performance, a Master’s degree in Jazz Music, and a Master’s degree in Orchestration for Film, Games, and TV, giving him a unique ability to blend classical refinement, jazz improvisation, and the evocative storytelling of film music.
Denis’s career spans multiple disciplines, including composing for film and video games, conducting and arranging for ensembles, and performing both as a soloist and collaborator. His work as an arranger and orchestrator has allowed him to explore the intersection of acoustic and digital music, combining tradition with modern innovation.
As a skilled accompanist, Denis has worked extensively with choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists, bringing sensitivity, adaptability, and musicality to rehearsals and performances. His experience ranges from classical and choral repertoire to contemporary and jazz settings, always striving to create a supportive and expressive musical environment.
Now based on the Sunshine Coast, Denis is actively engaged in the local music scene, performing, teaching, and developing creative projects that reflect his diverse influences. Grateful for the warm welcome he has received, he is committed to contributing meaningfully to the community through his music, fostering connection, and supporting artistic collaboration.
Molly Keen
Conductor - Gold Coast, Brisbane and North Brisbane Choirs
Molly Keen is a vocalist, producer, choir conductor, songwriter, and singing teacher. In 2023, Molly graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a Bachelor of Music with Distinction, majoring in Popular Music Voice.
In 2024, Molly was a recipient of the City of Gold Coast’s Professional Placement Program, where she worked as Associate Producer - Projects with Everybody NOW! on the large-scale production ‘Those Who Rock’ at HOTA.
Molly has gone on to work as a producer on a variety of projects including Assistant Producer of Cheep Trill’s original musical ‘Community Choir: The Musical’ as a part of Brisbane Festival 2025.
Molly is an experienced vocalist and backing vocalist, and also runs her own singing teaching business.
Molly is passionate about the connection, community and magic of choir, and can often be found writing vocal and choral arrangements. Molly believes strongly in the joy and self-expression the arts fosters and is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Upbeat Arts team.
Jenni Streten
Accompanist - Gold Coast
Jenni Streten has been part of choirs her whole life and loves the joy, confidence, and connection that singing together can bring.
After studying at the Queensland Conservatorium and QUT, she spent many years teaching music and accompanying choirs of all ages, including fifteen years as a music specialist at The Southport School.
Jenni is also a skilled arranger and enjoys helping singers feel supported and at ease so they can give their best.
She believes strongly in the power of music to lift spirits and build community, which is why she feels right at home with Upbeat Arts.
Along with her musical skills, Jenni brings a kind, empathetic presence to rehearsals and performances.
When she’s not at the piano, she gives back to her community as a Justice of the Peace and through volunteering.
Laura Lingwood
Conductor - Bundaberg
Laura Lingwood is a passionate and experienced choir director, musician and performer who believes deeply in the power of music to connect, uplift and create a sense of belonging. She is committed to fostering safe, inclusive and welcoming choir spaces where participants feel supported, valued and encouraged to build each other up through shared musical experiences.
Laura brings many years of community choir leadership to her work, having directed and co-directed the Pub Rock Choir across several regions from 2017 to 2023. In these roles, she led rehearsals, selected and arranged repertoire, coordinated events and, most recently, independently managed all aspects of choir delivery including venues, insurance and performance logistics. Her leadership style is grounded, engaging and participant-focused, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and joy in music-making.
Alongside her choir work, Laura has extensive experience as a music and vocal director, including engagements with Women in Voice and Creative Regions Ltd productions. She is a graduate of the Australian Choral Conductors Education and Training (ACCET) Summer School and is delighted to step into the role of Conductor of the Upbeat Arts Bundaberg Choir, where she looks forward to building a strong, connected and supportive musical community.
Alecia Portman
Accompanist - Bundaberg
Alecia grew up in Bundaberg and started playing piano at the age of 4 years old. From 1993 through to approximately 2004 Alecia played in the Lutheran Church band for Sunday services and from 2000 she played at the Bundaberg Regional Council Carols by Candlelight for approximately 5 years.
It was in 2018 when her piano playing really kicked off when she became a member of a local drama school and began accompanying at Eisteddfods and local performances around the Wide Bay. This is where Alecia found her real passion in accompanying. A few years later Alecia became a member of the Bundaberg Players where she attends rehearsals, assisting with teaching songs to the groups and recording backing tracks.
Alecia has also had the opportunity to perform in live bands in local productions such as Anything Goes, The Rocky Horror Show, Les Miserables and The Sound of Music. These opportunities have given Alecia the confidence to start learning the art of Musical Directing where she was appointed Assistant Musical Director for Rocky Horror last year and this year she will be Musical Director for the upcoming local youth theatre production We Will Rock You.
Alecia is excited to be joining the Upbeat Arts team to share her love of music and the joy it can bring.