Our Staff

Director

Susan Gouchee

Susan is Director of Performance Music at Canterbury College, where she has worked for over 18 years. Susan has a passion for teaching music and a belief that an effective and inspiring music education program can literally change young people’s lives. Since starting at Canterbury College in 1991, Susan has developed its initial fledgling music program, which involved less than 12% of the college student population to a thriving, extensive whole-school music program that includes more than 25 music ensembles, which perform an average of over 30 concerts per year.

Susan’s aim as a music educator has been to inspire in young people a love of music and, in particular, musical performance. It is through choral music that she has been able to achieve this goal. Susan has developed the choral program at Canterbury College from an initial 12-voice female choir to an extensive choral program which now comprises six choirs and involves over 200 children, including youth, mixed, male and female voicing for children of all ages.

In recognition of her outstanding work in music education, Susan was awarded the 2007 National Award for Excellence in School Music Education, by the Australian Federal Minister for Education, The Hon Julie Bishop MP, who stated: “Your outstanding contribution to the provision of school music education in Australia is an inspiration to others and enriches students’ educational experiences”.

In 2008, Susan was also nominated for Australian of the Year in recognition of her significant achievements with, and dedication to, the Canterbury College Cantabile Choir

Choreographers

Andrea Cooke

Andrea is a classroom teacher within the Canterbury College Junior School where she specialises in teaching Year 1 and Year 3. Andrea has had extensive dance experience and has studied jazz, tap, contemporary and classical ballet for over 20 years. Andrea was also heavily involved in choral and instrumental music programs during her high school years. It is therefore no surprise that Andrea has brought her passion for performing arts to the extra-curricular programs at Canterbury College. Andrea has been choreographer for two College musical productions, Grease in 2004 and Annie in 2007.

She has also coordinated two Wakikirri dance performances for younger students at the College. Andrea commenced her work as choreographer to Canterbury College Cantabile Choir in 2008. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys reading, travelling, shoe shopping and supporting her beloved football team.

Lissa Gyte

Lissa has been teaching at Canterbury since 1998 and has coordinated the Drama program, which now extends from Preschool through to Year Twelve. She has immersed herself in The Arts Extra-curricular program by taking on the role of Director for Youth Theatre productions and numerous School Musicals including The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Grease and Annie. Her love of music and choreography quickly led her to become involved with Cantabile where she proudly creates the movement and dance that enhances the girls' performance.