MACLIVER

2026 Season 2 enrolments are now closed.

Macliver is an extension ensemble for Treble Voices who have strong musical skills and enjoy singing challenging and varied musical styles.

Choristers in Macliver have the opportunity to:

• • Explore a range of repertoire, from Classical to Music Theatre to Barbershop and more.
  • Perform in SSAA and SATB formats
  • Challenge and extend their skills as young musicians in a supportive environment.
  • Continue to develop core skills in musicianship with like-minded individuals.

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, helping them to take on a leadership role within WAYV.

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

Members of Macliver 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
  • Barbershop
  • 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.

The ensemble proudly bears the name of Sara Macliver, a beloved Western Australian performer, educator, and champion of the arts. A long time friend and patron of WAYV, we are very pleased to introduce the newly named Macliver Ensemble in 2026.

2026 Season Dates:

Rehearsal Time & 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.

Macliver Artistic and Management Team

Katie How – Artistic 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 Artistic Director of West Australian Young Voices and works with the Education department, teaching in 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.

Tim Chang – Conductor

BA (Hons) W.Aust, MTeach (Secondary) W.Aust

Tim Chang is a high school music teacher at Bob Hawke College, where he currently teaches Year 7 and Year 9 Classroom Music and works as a choral and band director. He was also the Musical Director for Bob Hawke College’s 2026 production of Fame JR.

Tim is passionate about promoting and encouraging singing in the classroom; to that end, he is studying for his Australian Kodály Certificate, and has become an experienced choral and a cappella arranger, writing multiple arrangements for both his students and his chorus, the Baden Street Singers.

In addition to his teaching work, Tim served as Chair of Barbershop Harmony Australia’s Western Region from 2024 to 2026. In this capacity, he played a key role in engaging Perth schools in barbershop singing. In 2024, school students participated in the Western Region Festival for the first time in more than a decade, and at the 2026 Festival, four schools, along with the West Australian Young Voices, entered the school quartet and chorus contests, encompassing 89 high school-aged singers and representing a significant revival of youth barbershop in Australia.

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Enquire about Macliver

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