Composer takes role at academy

Lyon, who composed the music for Bendigo-produced musical Ned – A New Australian Musical and starred as Carl Denham in the musical King Kong, has already been working with the ACA for 18 months.

He has more than 15 years of studio experience and has worked in the high-end, high-demand part of professional vocal performance.

“We have got some fantastic students across the arts. The kids are reason I took the job,” he said.

“There are about 120 students involved. When I was their age, my singing teacher was an organist and I ended up teaching myself for my VCE exams. So it’s nice to give back.

“I want to make this course better by giving the students the opportunity to work with the best artists to help teach them.”

ACA manager Cynthia Holsworth said Mr Lyon would be able to take students to the next level in their performance.

“Adam is a rare talent who can lift a performance to something extraordinary,” she said.

“At ACA, we provide an environment to nurture the talents of young performers through technical training by leading artists in each of the arts’ strands.”

Based within the BSE College community, the academy is Central Victoria’s leading provider of music, arts and theatrical training for young performance artists.

The select-entry program enables students to pursue excellence through studies of the arts: music, dance, drama, media and visual arts, while maintaining academic achievement.

Applications for the 2018 ACA program are open, with auditions to be held in September. 

BSE College acting principal Dale Pearce said having someone like Mr Lyon on the ACA team was a fantastic opportunity for students.

“Adam brings a wealth of experience to his new role,” Mr Pearce said.

“It’s fantastic that students in central Victoria have the opportunity to learn from someone of his calibre.”