People Group: Management

Dr Jay Byrnes is a highly regarded arts leader, event producer, musician and educator with a career spanning performance, arts administration, and cultural development. As Executive Producer at Piano Plus Australia (Sydney International Piano Competition), he has delivered Festivals, Competitions, tours and recitals throughout the organisations transition to a multifaceted, year-round arts institution.

Jay is also a key figure in the Orange Chamber Music Festival, where his work in event production, and fundraising has helped transform it into one of Australia’s leading regional music festivals. His strategic expertise has played a crucial role in growing the organisation’s reach, acquiring funding, and securing sustainability.

Jay was instrumental in developing the National Saxophone Program for El Sistema Venezuela, a globally recognized initiative that uses music education to drive social change. He has also served as a contract lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

As a saxophonist, Jay has enjoyed a distinguished career as a soloist and chamber musician. He has performed with renowned orchestras, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Simón Bolívar Orchestra and as a soloist with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, and at many of Australia’s festivals.

Outside of his professional life, Jay has a deep appreciation for food, wine, and travel. With studies in Wine Science and Business, he enjoys exploring Australia’s wine regions, discovering new culinary experiences, and immersing himself in local creative communities. His ability to merge artistic leadership with personal passion has made him a dynamic force in the cultural sector, fostering innovation, collaboration, and meaningful connections between artists and audiences.

Jay holds both a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Bachelor of Music from Sydney Conservatorium, Sydney University, as well as a Masters in Music from Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo, Porto, Portugal.

Debopam (Debo) has a strong background in digital marketing, content creation, and customer service/engagement. His creative approach drives his work, and he is eager to offer unique perspectives in presenting Camerata to its audience.

Debo holds a master’s degree in Marketing and Business Analytics from the University of Wollongong, Australia, and has volunteered in marketing roles for various communities, clubs, and charities.

With a passion for music, Debo enjoys playing guitar and is particularly interested in learning more about orchestral music and the artform.

Brendan Joyce’s leadership of Camerata was recently described by The Australian as dynamic and in Limelight as indefatigable.

He frequently appears as soloist with the group, has led for milestones including its first recordings, tours, broadcasts, collaborations, and in acclaimed performances at the Tyalgum Festival, Darwin Festival, Queensland Music Festival and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Brendan is an alumnus of the original version of Camerata that played to critical acclaim 1987-1997.

In demand as a leader and concertmaster, Brendan performs regularly as leader of the Orchestra of the Antipodes in Sydney, and for many years appeared as a guest Concertmaster and member of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. With the latter he performed the premiere on period instruments of Max Richter’s Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed.  During his youth orchestra days he led the Queensland Youth Symphony and Australian Youth Orchestras.  Brendan has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, America’s Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, and has played the complete cycle of Bartok’s iconic String Quartets as a member of the Kurilpa String Quartet.

Brendan attained a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from The University of Maryland, USA, receiving awards there for his leadership of the Maryland Handel Festival Opera Orchestra, as well as for presentations and premieres of the music of twenty Australian composers. His early teachers included Joyce Crooks, Lyn Darveniza and Stephen Frewen-Lord in Ayr, Queensland, where he was born and raised. He undertook extensive studies and mentoring with Elizabeth Morgan AM in Brisbane. Brendan also studied in the United States with Gerald Fischbach, and in chamber music with David Salness and the Guarneri String Quartet.

Angela has cultivated a rich 28+ year career in the arts, spanning roles as Stage Manager, Technical Manager, Orchestra Manager, and Producer across musical theatre, opera, festivals, special events, and corporate functions.

During her Bachelor of Arts studies at Queensland University of Technology and early professional years, Angela discovered what would shape her career path, the belief that music has a unique ability to connect people and strengthen communities.

Camerata has been at the heart of Angela’s work for over 18 years, its collaborative spirit and artistic excellence constantly inspiring her. Her contributions include producing more than 13 years of touring programs and working alongside colleagues to expand community engagement and education initiatives.

Committed to professional growth and organizational development, Angela continues to deepen her knowledge in strategic leadership, governance, and philanthropy through ongoing learning and mentorship. She brings this evolving skillset to her work in strengthening audience engagement and supporting Camerata’s adventurous programming.

Angela’s driving force remains her dedication to creating an environment where artists can flourish. She continues to find inspiration in the exceptional work of Camerata’s musicians, guest artists, and collaborators.

Sonia comes from a stage management and technical production back ground and joined Camerata in March 2021. Sonia has over 14 years experience in the live entertainment industry as a stage manager spanning multiple genres from opera, musical theatre, live music, comedy and events.

Sonia attended the University of Southern Queensland studying a Bachelor of Theatre Arts and Technical Production, majoring in Stage Management. Her love for the arts and culture has brought her to where she is today, working with an abundance of talented musicians and creative teams who support the drive for providing memorable cultural experiences to people around the world.

Jacquiline joined Camerata in July 2021 after five years with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and with a background in marketing, communications, digital media and ticketing. Jacquiline brings with her a breadth of arts marketing experience and an excitement to share and spread the joy of Camerata’s music-making.

Jacquiline holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative and Professional Writing with a Graduate Certificate in Business (Integrated Marketing) from the Queensland University of Technology.

She is an avid music lover and constantly in awe of the talent of Camerata musicians.

After graduating from the University of Southern Queensland with a Bachelor of Theatre Arts majoring in Acting, Tammy Weller has worked extensively as an actor, producer, and writer around Australia.

Tammy is best known for her performance as Annie in the international tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong and the Australian tour of The Play That Goes Wrong. Further theatre credits include Puffs Life Like Productions, Pocketful of Pebbles White Rabbit Theatre, The Hitmen Baker’s Dozen Theatre Company, and Maple and Vine Bottled Snail Productions. Her voiceover work is a part of radionotes Podcast which was awarded Australia’s Best Entertainment Podcast in 2022.

In 2010, Tammy wrote, produced, and performed Single Admissions at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and a sell-out season at Metro Arts, Brisbane. Single Admissions was nominated for six Matilda Awards including Best Independent Production and Best New Australian Work. In 2014, Single Admissions was published by Playlab press. In 2017, Pocketful of Pebbles, created in collaboration with Lisa Smith and Victoria Carless was presented at the Gold Coast Arts Centre (now HOTA). She recently completed the Incubator program through Playlab and has been commissioned by Playlab to co-write Theft, a new play to premier in 2026.

Alongside her creative endeavours, Tammy has been Associate Festival Producer for Wynnum Fringe Festival and Orchestra Manager at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She is relishing the opportunity to grow as a Producer as part of the Camerata team.

Andrew has 25 years of experience working in the Performing Arts. From Installation and Performance Art to Opera, Ballet and Musicals, outdoor events and music programs to large Concert Hall performances, music has driven the work he has been attracted to throughout his career. This is his first experience working exclusively for an orchestra, and he finds Camerata to be the perfect fit. His diverse design, technical and production management skills align perfectly with Camerata’s innovative and bold programming. Like Camerata, he has a passion for collaborating with artists across a range of artforms.