program mentors
Kayleigh Pincott / Vocals
Kayleigh Pincott is a vocalist, composer and teacher with a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music Studies from the Queensland Conservatorium where she is now on staff as a Voice Teacher. In 2016, Kayleigh was awarded the coveted ‘Generations in Jazz’ Vocal Scholarship from a field of six finalists Australia-wide, naming her the best young jazz vocalist in the country.
Since then Kayleigh has been working on a variety of projects resulting in nominations for two Australian Jazz Bell Awards. Performing regularly around Brisbane, Kayleigh has also featured at Stonnington Jazz Festival (Melbourne), Brisbane International Jazz Festival and Jumpers and Jazz Festival.
Euan Cumming / Piano
Euan first got involved with the Brisbane jazz scene in 2009 as a Talkin’ Jazz participant, travelling all the way from country Victoria during his last year of high school. His experience at Talkin’ Jazz was enough to convince him to make the move to Brisbane in 2010 where he studied jazz piano at the Queensland Conservatorium, graduating with First Class Honours in 2013. After completing a Graduate Diploma in Education in 2014, Euan currently teaches performing arts at Ipswich State High School.
Euan has performed regularly, including sell-out shows at the Brisbane and Gold Coast Jazz Clubs as a member of numerous ensembles.
Dan Hirsch / Drums
Dan Hirsch is a drummer and educator who graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2013 with a Bachelor of Jazz Performance, with First Class Honours. In 2014 he also completed his Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, specialising in Classroom Music, Instrumental Music and English. He is currently completing his PhD at the QLD Conservatorium, Griffith University.
Dan has performed at a range of Music Festivals in Queensland and Sydney. He is also a high-school instrumental music and classroom teacher.
Brodie McAllister / Trombone
Brodie McAllister is an improviser, trombonist, composer, teacher and events organiser from Brisbane, Australia. His artistic practice is concerned with exploring improvisation, hyper-extended instrumental techniques, intensive performer-composer collaboration and community connections.
His career highlights include: premieres from Kupka’s Piano, WAYJO and The Enthusiastic Musicians Orchestra with performances alongside ELISION, BULLHORN and The Stairwell Project.
As a Talkin' Jazz Alumni, Brodie is delighted to be back again, working with the program.
CASSIE WHITEHEAD / SAXOPHONES
Cassie Whitehead is a saxophone specialist, performer and educator. She is a Queensland Conservatorium of Music graduate, has also studied at New York University and has won the Magnetic Island Jazz Festival Award.
Aside from being a sought after saxophonist within the Brisbane jazz scene, Cassie has regularly toured internationally and nationally in many genres. As saxophonist, co-songwriter and manager of reggae/soul/funk outfit Paua, she has played some of New Zealand's biggest music festivals. Cassie has recorded with a range of artists as a session musician in many genres and worked as a horn arranger on a variety of projects. Cassie's songwriting credits, recording and horn arrangement work include many singles and albums with her band Paua that have charted in the Top 100 in New Zealand and hit number one on the iTunes Reggae charts in Australia and New Zealand.
bede prince / bass
Bede prince is a Brisbane/ Meanjin based bassist and graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium on Music, studying under many of Australia’s premier jazz musicians such as Peter Walters, Steve Newcomb and James Sandon. He is an in-demand performer in the Brisbane and Queensland music scene performing at many venues including, the Brisbane and Towoomba Jazz Clubs, JMI live and DooBop Jazz Bar.
As Talkin’ Jazz alumni, Bede is very excited to be part of the team inspiring the next wave of jazz musicians.
Big band tutors
Daniel Hirsch / Conductor
Brodie McAllister / Trombone
Tristan Rogers / Trumpet
Cassie Whitehead / Saxophones