Meet our staff:
ANGIE USSHER
Angie Hutchison-Ussher started her musical career when she was in primary school, which led to pursuing it through high school and adult life. After performing at many Opera House events, along with the Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies in 2000, she was convinced that performing would be a major part of her life.
She has spent the last 25 years performing in over 60 musicals and plays, as well as directing and choreographing several others. In 2022, Angie and her husband Stuart announced their all abilities production company VTP Presents.
Her passion for teaching started 16 years ago when her eldest son, while still a baby, used to sit in his bouncer and listen to students singing. Since then she's had two more sons, both born into the musical world. She started teaching for herself in 2011 and claims she "hasn't looked back since"; she still teaches students today that she started with then. She has completed her Bachelor of Music and began her Masters of Education [Special Education] in 2021. Angie is also the vocal teacher at Maitland Christian School.
Even after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2021, Angie's passion never diminished. Since she had it removed in 2023, she has become performing again herself. One of her favourite performances in 2024, was performing with the Salvation Army choir at the Carols in the Domain. She can't wait to do it again soon.
|Vocal, Theory and Performance|
|Studios for creative minds|
|Vocal, Theory and Performance|
|Studios for creative minds|
TYLER D-B
Daniel Dow began his musical interest sitting on the floor at pre-school singing to the piano. Since then, he’s been involved in choirs, orchestra ensembles, and musical theatre all through school. Being a singer, pianist and a trombonist, there was always something to be involved in. After school, Dan attended the Conservatorium of Music at Newcastle University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Hons). He has been involved in many community and educational music settings such as a tutor at Pan Pacific Music Camps, including when he toured with their wind orchestra to the USA. He was also the Director of Music for the Australian Youth Choir.
As well as teaching music, Dan has a passion for musical theatre having been a part of many theatre companies in the Newcastle and Maitland areas. He has been a stage performer, orchestra members and Musical Director for several productions with Maitland Musical Society including Nunsense, The Music Man and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Most recently, he was Musical Director for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat again with VTP Presents.
After a bit of a break Dan is looking forward to getting back into teaching music with VTP. Dan will be teaching Piano, Singing, Trombone and Trumpet but spaces are limited. *Thursday availability only.
STUART USSHER