Australian Musical Theatre Academy

Queenie van de Zandt

Core Tutor/Director
(Next to Normal, Into the Woods, King Kong)
SYDNEY WORKSHOPS

Queenie van de Zandt moves through the world entertaining, educating and serenading the people she meets. She has the unique ability in all her work to make people feel deeply, and to awaken laughter, empathy and awareness in equal measure.

Her ability to seamlessly transition between various genres of entertainment sets her apart as a truly versatile performer, with a career spanning musical theatre, plays, cabaret, recording, film, and television, as well as acclaimed work as a comedian, writer, and arts educator.

Her career highlights include: on television: Upright II (Foxtel/Stan), Safe Home (SBS), The Newsreader - Seasons 1, 2 & 3, Very Small Business and Da Kath & Kim Code (ABC), and Five Bedrooms (Network 10), in theatre: Face to Face (STC), Women of Troy (Malthouse/STC), Rabbit Hole, Absent Friends and Abigail’s Party (Ensemble Theatre), Secret Bridesmaid’s Business and After January (La Boite) and The Road to the She-Devil’s Salon (QTC), on film: Scooby Doo and Girl Clock, in musical theatre: Next to Normal (James Terry Collective), Thoroughly Modern Millie (TDP), Into the Woods (Victorian Opera), Follies (Storeyboard Entertainment), Funny Girl (SSO), King Kong Live on Stage (Global Creatures), The Full Monty (IMG/David Atkins) and Oliver (Cameron Mackintosh/IMG), and in cabaret - Smoke & Mirrors (Sydney, Melbourne and Edinburgh Festivals), Moments in the Woods, BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, CABARET - In 12 Easy Steps, The Best (and Worst) of Queenie van de Zandt and I GET THE MUSIC IN YOU, an evening with Jan van de Stool (Adelaide Cabaret Festival). Queenie has been nominated for 21 major theatre awards, winning 8, for her work in musicals, theatre, cabaret and television.

As the driving force behind her boutique production house Amazon Woman Enterprises, Queenie has released 4 albums (Amazon Woman, Other Stories..., Queenie van de Zandt – Live in Cabaret and Singing & Vocal Warm Up Exercises); created her award-winning show BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell which continues to tour around Australia and internationally, and continues to develop projects involving her cult, comedy alter-ego Jan van de Stool. As Jan, Queenie has twice co-hosted The Helpmann Awards (Foxtel/ABC), performed in Jan’s multi-award-winning comedy show I GET THE MUSIC IN YOU, an evening with Jan van de Stool (MICF) and continues to tour her latest show, Jan van de Stool in PARTING THE RED CURTAINS (BCF & SCF).

Alongside her performance work, since 2000, Queenie has presented master classes, workshops and courses in cabaret, song performance and audition technique for musical theatre around the country. She is writing a book about audition technique and in 2020 released a CD, with fellow vocal educator Beth Daly, called Singing & Vocal Warm Up Exercises – From Beginner to Professional. She has held teaching positions in numerous performing arts schools, has been invited to conduct master classes and seminars throughout Australia and internationally and has written musical theatre courses for several leading institutions. She has taught in the music department at NIDA and has held teaching positions in the music theatre courses at VCA and Federation University in Ballarat (formerly BAAPA).

In 2015 Queenie co-founded The Australian Musical Theatre Academy (AMTA). AMTA offers workshops, masterclasses, and courses for students of all skill levels, bringing them together with top-tier industry professionals to give students the tools to live creative, passionate and fulfilling lives.

Widely regarded as Australia’s leading teacher of audition technique for musical theatre, Queenie combined her 20+ years of studying audition technique with her 35+ years as a multi-award winning performer of musical theatre, to develop a unique audition and performance preparation method, that has helped her students gain leading roles in shows such as Beauty & the Beast, Wicked, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Hamilton, Six: The Musical, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Annie, Matilda and Grease, to name just a few. Queenie has been teaching her method to performers across Australia and internationally for the past 24 years. The remarkable number of her students who have gone on to become renowned performers in commercial musicals, has seen her hailed in the press as a ‘musical theatre star-maker’.

As a true champion of the arts, having joined Actors Equity, MEAA in her very first professional show in 1989, Queenie’s unwavering passion for her craft and commitment to the union has made her a powerful advocate for artists Australia wide. Queenie brings to all her work, not only this wealth of experience but also her fine communication skills, her passion for the arts, her warm and positive nature and her wonderful sense of humour.

With a staggering 21 theatre award nominations and 8 well-deserved wins under her belt, Queenie van de Zandt's talent continues to be recognized with each new achievement. To stay connected with her latest projects and performances on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok follow @QueenievdZandt | @JanvandeStool | @AMTAcademy.

Lucy Bermingham

Musical Director
(In the Heights, Spring Awakening, Caroline, or Change)
SYDNEY WORKSHOPS

Born and bred in our nation’s capital, Lucy was raised in a large musical family. As soon as she could walk and talk, she embraced her musicality and the instruments of voice and piano. Growing up she became an accompanist and conductor for many choirs, worked as a repetiteur in amateur musical theatre, eventually conducting a succession of musical theatre pieces.

Lucy joined the Australian Regular Army in 1996 and was a member of the Band of the Royal Military College and The Australian Army Band, Sydney – both with whom she travelled on several tours of duty to East Timor, Bougainville, and the Solomon Islands. She quickly rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2005 and became Captain in 2007.

Leaving the army, she joined the staff of the Canberra Theatre Centre. Accompanying her brother at a professional audition, she caught the eye the creative team who were impressed with her skill as a pianist. This instilled in her a confidence to pursue her dream to work in musical theatre.

Moving to Sydney she quickly became a sought-after musician, and in a short time became a sought after musical director working on shows such as Violet, Spring Awakening, In the Heights and Caroline, or Change. She has won many awards, including several Sydney Theatre Awards for Best Musical Direction, for her perceptive and passionate work on these productions.

Lucy continues to musically direct and is a highly sought after accompanist for artists in cabaret and now balances this out with teaching music and a desire to train the next generation of musicians to reach their potential in their chosen musical field.

Veronica Beattie George

Choreographer
(Grease, Moulin Rouge, Chicago)
SYDNEY WORKSHOPS

Veronica Beattie George is an award winning choreographer who has made an everlasting contribution to the Australian arts and entertainment landscape. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Veronica has established herself as a true luminary in dance creation and education.

A graduate of David Atkins’ Dynamite Dance Studios, Veronica made her professional musical theatre debut in the Gordon Frost production Grease the Arena Spectacular. Her classic style and impressive versatility was showcased in productions of The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman, Guys and Dolls, the development workshop of King Kong the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Barney, Candy Man with Wayne Scott Kermond, the Chicago tour of India and Grease the Arena Spectacular for a second time, in the role of Dance Captain. Veronica was selected to guest perform in Tivoli with the Sydney Dance Company, working with choreographer Graeme Murphy to bring to life an important piece of Australian theatre history.

As a creative, Veronica has worked for Bonds, New Idea and Sydney Festival. She has choreographed the entertainment for Luna Park, Dance Academy (Season 3), Wellmania for Netflix and had a dance work selected for the Australian tour of Shorter and Sweeter. Veronica’s choreography showcased her unique ability to weave narratives through movement in her own acclaimed production titled What Is Jazz and more recently in the production La Cage Aux Folles for Showtune Productions in Sydney and Melbourne.

Veronica is no stranger to film and television. She was selected for the workshop process of Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, working alongside choreographer John O’Connell, and was featured as Can Can dancer “Tattoo” in the film. Veronica performed in the Australian movie musical Goddess and was a featured dancer and assistant to the choreographer on The Great Gatsby. While working on the film, her versatile dance skill set was utilised when she was appointed rehearsal partner to Leonardo DiCaprio, Toby Maguire and Joel Edgerton.

Not only does Veronica inspire on the stage, but she is also a passionate teacher. Resident faculty member at Brent Street Performing Arts Studios and the Talent Development Project, Veronica has taught at many institutions around Australia and internationally.

Veronica was a performer in, and dance captain of La Traviata on Sydney Harbour and recently filmed Rebel Wilsons directorial debut, working with choreographer Rob Ashford and his team to build the musical numbers for the upcoming movie musical The Deb to be released late 2024.

Veronica won a Green Room Award for Best Choreography for her work on La Cage Aux Folles which played at the Melbourne Arts Centre in 2023.

She continues to inspire on stage and off, bringing her vast experience and passion for education to the aspiring dancers of the next generation.

Margi de Ferranti

Assistant Director
(In the Heights, Grease, Mamma Mia)
SYDNEY WORKSHOPS

A distinguished luminary in the realm of musical theatre, Margi de Ferranti has enjoyed a flourishing and esteemed career since her auspicious debut in 1986. With a profound portfolio of theatrical, film, and television credits, as well as a plethora of prestigious accolades, her contributions to the Australian entertainment landscape are truly remarkable.

Her theatrical ventures have been a testament to her versatile artistry. Throughout her career she has played leading roles in renowned productions such as: Fantine in Les Misérables (Cameron Mackintosh), Giulietta in Aspects of Love (The Really Useful Company), Maria Elena Holly in The Buddy Holly Story (The Buddy Holly Company), Rizzo in Grease (John Frost Organisation), Housewife in Working – The Musical (Glen St Theatre), Ilona in She Loves Me (Two’s Company), Dot in Sunday in the Park with George (NIDA), Donna in Mamma Mia (Louise Withers & Associates), and with her performance as Miss Bell in Fame The Musical garnering her a prestigious Mo Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Alongside being a leading lady of musical theatre, Margi has also spent over 25 years writing and performing in cabaret. Noteworthy among her achievements is her distinction as the Inaugural Winner of the Sydney Cabaret Convention. Through her work in cabaret and concert she has graced some of the world’s best stages including The Sydney Opera House and renowned cabaret venue Eighty Eight’s in New York City in show such as It’s Delightful, It’s Delicious, It’s De Ferranti, You’re Going to Love Tomorrow, Dear Marjorie – A Cabaret, This Joint is Jumpin’ – My Hip Replacement and Margi Sings Her Hits Off, further amplifying her artistic legacy.

Beyond the stage, Margi has appeared on screen alongside acclaimed actors Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr. in South Pacific (2001) and made guest appearances in All Saints and White Collar Blue (2002), demonstrating her ability to seamlessly transition between different media.

Yet perhaps one of Margi's most endearing contributions lies in her role as a mentor and educator. Focusing her efforts on nurturing emerging stars and industry professionals, she imparts her profound knowledge to eager learners at renowned performing arts schools such as The Actor's Centre (ACA), MacDonald College, Brent St, and The Conservatorium of Music (B.A. Music Theatre). Later creating her own studio – Margi De Ferranti’s Vocal Expertise - Margi further solidified her reputation as one of Sydney's premier singing teachers for aspiring musical theatre artists. In her work she inspires her students to master their craft, sharing insights into song selection, audition techniques, and vocal artistry. Many of her proteges have graced the stages of notable productions, including Mary Poppins, Shrek the Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Caroline or Change, School of Rock, and Fun Home, to name just a few, testifying to the enduring impact of her mentorship.

Amid her commitment to teaching, Margi continues to command the stage with recent credits including Margaret White in Carrie the Musical (Squabbalogic), Dr. Charlotte in Falsettos (Darlinghurst Theatre), Duchess of Woodford in Nice Work if You Can Get It (Neglected Musicals) and her outstanding performance as Miss Thorn in Ruthless (Seymour Centre), which earned her a well-deserved nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at The Sydney Theatre Critics Awards.

Her artistic prowess has garnered well-deserved recognition, including the 2019 Glug Award for Most Outstanding Supporting Actress in a musical for her performance of Abuela Claudia in the sold-out production of In The Heights (Blue Saint Productions, Hayes Theatre and Sydney Opera House) and following a decade-long hiatus, Margi made a captivating return to the cabaret stage with her show Mum Loves Dionne (Warwick) at Claire's Kitchen in October 2019, earning her the esteemed 2020 Glug Award for Most Outstanding Cabaret.

Margi de Ferranti's illustrious career stands as a testament to her profound talent, unwavering dedication, and lasting influence on the Australian performing arts landscape. Her contributions to the world of musical theatre and her nurturing influence on the next generation of artists make her an enduring and cherished presence in the artistic community.