Committee
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Dawn Pugh, PresidentDawn Pugh, the newly appointed President of G&S Opera Sydney, brings a wealth of experience to this beloved opera company. Her multifaceted background in VFX, design, fine art, performance, writing, and business management showcases her versatility in the creative industry.
Since 2014, Dawn has been an integral part of G&S Opera Sydney, contributing both on stage and behind the scenes in productions like "The Gondoliers," "HMS Pinafore", "Patience," "The Mikado", "Ruddigore" and "The Pirates of Penzance." This journey has deepened her appreciation for Gilbert and Sullivan's unique artistry. Dawn has been on sabbatical for the past 3 years and is very excited to return to the company! Gilbert and Sullivan operettas perfectly combine her love of classical music, comedy, political humour and performance art. This passion fuels her vision for G&S Opera Sydney, rooted in a commitment to artistic excellence, collaborative work and community engagement. Dawn's approach blends innovative strategies with deep respect for tradition. She plans to implement comprehensive mentorship programs that cover all aspects of opera production, including performers, orchestra members, crew, directors, and arts management. She will also be working as a core member of the creative team. Looking ahead, Dawn aims to expand G&S Opera Sydney's reach, foster new talent and works, while honouring traditional artistry. "I am deeply honoured to work with this incredible team! Together, we'll create unforgettable performances that celebrate the timeless appeal of comic opera while pushing a few boundaries of artistic expression along the way." With Dawn at the helm, supported by a very experienced team, G&S Opera Sydney is poised for an exciting future. Her leadership promises to usher in an era of innovation and artistic growth, ensuring that the magic of Gilbert and Sullivan continues to captivate audiences for generations to come. |
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Rod Mounjed, Vice PresidentRod has been Musical Directing since 1985, when he first designed the music for the play Cloud Nine at the Seymour Centre. Recent Musical Design in 2002-4 has included The Importance of Being Earnest, A Midsummer Nights Dream (Shakespeare by the Sea). Since 2000 Rod has worked as a conductor with Symphony Australia’s conducting program and has worked interstate with different ensembles and orchestras from each of the major symphony orchestras around Australia, specialising in the works of Stravinsky, Mendelssohn, Britten, Mozart, Bizet, Grieg and Beethoven.
Rod has worked with the Savoy Arts Company (now G&S Opera Sydney) since 1991 (Iolanthe, Princess Ida (twice) Pirates of Penzance, Yeoman of the Guard). He is the resident Musical Director for G & S Opera Sydney Company and produced HMS Pinafore (2014), The Gondoliers (2015), Patience (2016), The Pirates of Penzance (2017), Ruddigore (2018), The Mikado (2019), Pirates of Penzance (2022), HMS Pinafore (2024). His next production in 2025 for this company will be The Sorcerer. With Regals Musical Society has conducted Broadway Pirates of Penzance, Pippin, Oklahoma, Chess, Annie, Me & My Girl. His two shows with the Rockdale Musical Society have been Anything Goes and Mame. He has conducted Ruddigore for Rockdale Opera in 2010, and was the musical director for the Palm Court Orchestra for the 70th Gala Concert for Rockdale Opera in 2018, and conducted HMS Pinafore in 2020. For the past three decades he has been the resident Musical Director at Lugar Brae Players and has participated in HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Me & My Girl, The Pajama Game, Guys and Dolls, Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Sound of Music. He volunteered to help conduct Yeoman of the Guard and Iolanthe for the G & S Singfest (Glen Street Theatre and Zenith Theatre). As a pianist he has recorded for SMP classics, works by Mendelssohn (Songs without Words), Beethoven (Late Piano Sonatas Op.109, 110 & 111), and “An Evening with G & S” for violin and piano. |
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Colin McLaughlin, Public Officer/TreasurerColin McLaughlin has been our treasurer since 2017 and has been on stage as a tenor in the chorus for The Gondoliers, Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore and The Mikado. He has also been a member of the chorus of HMS Pinafore with Rockdale Opera.
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Nicole Taylor, SecretaryNicole has been a member of GSOS’s committee since 2005 and performs with GSOS every year in the orchestra. Nicole is very proud of the talent GSOS attracts each year and has made a large number of valued and lifelong friends within the team. Nicole plays and/or teaches a variety of instruments including clarinet, saxophone, trombone, recorder and guitar. She plays in a saxophone quintet, a blues trio and the Leichhardt Wind Orchestra. She is also the conductor of a school training band.
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Dean Sinclair, Concert ManagerDean Sinclair was the President of G&S Opera Sydney from 2013-2024. He has decided to take a step down to enjoy some travel and ease into retirement. He will remain with G&S Opera to help the transition for the new President, and will continue to support the company as the Concert Manager. The company will forever be grateful for his time and contributions as President of G&S Opera Sydney.
Operetta (G&S in particular) features extensively in Dean’s musical theatre experience. He loves the G&S comedic roles, having played Reginald Bunthorne in Patience, Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore, Ko Ko in The Mikado, The Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe, Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore – and most recently The Duke of Plaza-Toro in The Gondoliers for Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Sydney. Amongst other roles, Dean has sung Cyril in Princess Ida, Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore, Dr Daly in The Sorcerer, Grosvenor in Patience, Jack Point in The Yeomen of the Guard, & Luiz in The Gondoliers. His further light opera outings have included roles in such musical gems as The Arcadians, Showboat, The Gypsy Baron, and The Count of Luxembourg. Dean particularly loves singing the beautiful songs of Ivor Novello, Franz Lehar, Jerome Kern, & Noel Coward, many of which he’s rendered in concert performances across Sydney. |
General Committee Members
Marie Deverill
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Andrew Morris
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