GARDINER

Gardiner is a Senior Ensemble (Year 6+) for Treble Voices who wish to develop their singing skills in a positive and encouraging environment.

Musicianship skills are preferable, but not always essential, as this choir is aimed at developing a singer’s skills in listening, memory, part-singing and music reading.

This is an auditioned ensemble. For more information about what to prepare for the audition, check out the ‘join us’ page.

Choristers in Gardiner have the opportunity to:

• • • Explore a range of repertoire, from Classical to Music Theatre to Contemporary and more.
  • • Join combined rehearsals with other WA Young Voices ensembles.
  • • Challenge and extend their skills as young musicians in a supportive environment.
  • Be mentored by more experienced choristers, gaining exposure to advanced choral and harmonic textures.

Musicianship is embedded into all rehearsals using a Kodaly based approach, building each singers’ ability to think in sound and improving their confidence reading music.

Members of Gardiner have the opportunity to take part in ‘Education Workshops’ as part of their choral training. Workshops cover a variety of topics, such as:

• • • Vocal Masterclasses
  • • Languages
  • • Composition and songwriting
  • • Acting and stage movement
  • • Goal setting
  • • Pilates for singers
  • and more

Repertoire and workshops are designed to challenge and extend young musicians, whilst fostering and developing a long-term passion for and dedication to music.

This ensemble is named proudly after Lydia Gardiner, an internationally acclaimed composer and performer, renowned for her work in choral composition. As a proud alum and ongoing supporter, Lydia continues to inspire our community, and we are delighted to introduce the newly named Gardiner Ensemble in 2026.

2025 Season Dates:

2026 Season Dates:

Rehearsal Structure:

Rehearsal Venue: Trinity College (East Perth)

Fees: For up-to-date fees information, please refer to https://wayoungvoices.com.au/fees-policies/

Please note, if a family has more than one child enrolled in WAYV, the second and subsequent siblings each qualify for a 15% discount on their fees.

Katie How – Director, Conductor

BMus (Classical Voice), MTeach (Secondary Music)

Katie How is a highly sought-after singer, choral conductor and voice teacher, specialising in teaching high-school aged singers. She is a director of West Australian Young Voices and works with the Education department, teaching in some of Perth’s gifted and talented programs.

Katie holds a Bachelor or Music Performance (Classical Voice) from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Teaching (Secondary) from the University of New England. She has been a participant of the Gondwana National choral school conductor’s program, where she was selected to conduct for a workshop with Carl Crossin. Katie has also completed 3 levels of training in the Australian Kodaly Certificate.

Katie has worked as Children’s chorus master with WA Opera and in 2023, Katie conducted Freeze Frame Opera’s production of “The Little Prince” featuring Teddy Tahu Rhodes and the choristers of WAYV. Alongside this work, Katie has performed with many of Perth’s leading vocal groups, including St George’s Cathedral, the Giovanni Consort and the West Australian Opera chorus. As a soloist, Katie has performed with Perth Lyric Opera, Art Song Perth, Perth Symphonic Chorus and St George’s Cathedral.

Katie is passionate about encouraging young singers to explore and love their unique voice, using age-appropriate repertoire and incorporating safe and relaxed vocal pedagogy into all lessons and rehearsals.

Enquire about Gardiner

Questions about joining Gardiner? Get in touch using the contact form below or send us an email.