Solo & Group Performers

Presenting our amazing vocal team for 2024!

Akeera Chapman

Akeera Chapman is a 20-year-old local singer with a big passion for performing and sharing her voice.

Akeera has accumulated invaluable singing experience over the years at numerous local events and other more prestigious gigs such as Generations in Jazz. More recently, Akeera had the incredible opportunity of performing in the Backing Choir of Vocal Powerhouse, the GOSPO Collective in their ‘Whitney- The Greatest Love of All’ show at the 2023 and 2024 Fringe Festivals.

Currently studying a Bachelor of Medical Science at Flinders University, Akeera wishes to keep music in her life by engaging in Community Events such as the Mt Barker Carols.

Ashleigh Jocks

Ashleigh Jocks is a vocalist from the Adelaide Hills. In 2018, she graduated from the Elder Conservatorium with a degree in Jazz Performance and received an award for Outstanding Soloist in the international DownBeat Music Awards.

She was named Top Voice Undergraduate at the Helpmann Academy Jazz Awards and performed alongside New York City jazz band “The Hot Sardines”. She has been involved in workshops with many esteemed performers including Kate Ceberano and was a backing vocalist for Australian singer and TV personality Mark Holden.

Ashleigh now performs as a soloist and has been involved in various musical productions with The Murray Bridge Players and Singers. Ashleigh is thrilled to be a part of the Mount Barker Carols again this year.

Bella Jenke

Bella Jenke is a 21-year-old singer from Strathalbyn.

Bella has been singing in choirs and vocal groups almost her whole life and is passionate about sharing her love of music and performing for an audience.

Bella was a part of the 2021 Class of Cabaret, where she created and performed her very own set as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival while still in school!

She has been a part of the Mount Barker Carols family for 7 years now and is so excited to be back to sing for you and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Charli Schulz

Charli Schulz is a singer and songwriter based in the Adelaide Hills.

In 2024 she has deeply enjoyed working on original music as part of indie/folk/pop band Close Friends as a vocalist, writer, and occasional guitarist.

Charli’s keen fascination for the voice has led her to her current studies in Speech Pathology at the University of Adelaide.

She loves singing around the Hills during the festive season, and is delighted to return to the Mt Barker Carols vocal team for a fourth year.

Chelsea Rigter

Chelsea Rigter is 13 years old and in Year 8 at Loreto College.

A vocal student of Lisa Duffield, Chelsea has participated in her school choir, is in the Australian Girls Choir as well as their smaller ensemble, ‘Camerata’.

She has always loved music and is an aspiring musician. Chelsea has also begun to compose her own music.

Chelsea is excited to be performing at the 2024 Mt Barker Carols and Fireworks.

Eliza Lovelock

Eliza Lovelock is in her fourth year at Tabor Institute of Music (TIM) studying a Bachelor of Music.

A keen vocalist and performer, Eliza is in various ensembles at TIM, including the award-winning A’ Capella group directed by Charmaine Jones (GOSPO), as well as playing trumpet and singing in the Funk Band. She has also landed a main role in TIM’S 2024 musical “We Will Rock You!”, she will be playing the villain, Killer Queen!

Eliza was a part of TIM’s fringe show “GLOW! Funk in the Dark” where she sang, played trumpet and was choreographer and was also short-listed for the “Adelaide Festival Centre’s Tertiary Students Got Talent”, where she won first place!

Eliza is absolutely thrilled to be back on the Business Mt Barker stage for her seventh year at Carols.

Gus Smith

Gus was ‘convinced’ to appear in his first show in 2001. Since discovering he loved performing, favourite roles include Franz Liebkind in ‘The Producers’ (MBM 2007 & Marie Clark 2021), Gangster/Pastry Chef in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone (HMC 2012), Julian Marsh in ‘42nd Street’ (The MET 2023), Wing in ‘Hot Shoe Shuffle’ (MBM 2009), The Fonz in ‘Happy Days’ (NLTC 2015), Doug Hastings in ‘Strictly Ballroom’ (MBM 2019), Harry Bright in ‘Mamma Mia’ (2021) & Bob Crewe in ‘Jersey Boys’ (2022, both NLTC).’

Gus has performed at the Elder Park Carols as part of the 200 strong choir back in 2013 and as part of a trio at the Playford Civic Carols in 2016.

He also fills in as backstage crew for several theatre companies around Adelaide.

Gus is pleased to be part of the vocal team for the Mt Barker Carols and Fireworks 2024. Merry Christmas!

Jasmine Howis

Jasmine has been singing her whole life and entered Adelaide’s music scene a few years ago with her acoustic duo ‘bliss’. They frequently performed live music at wineries across SA, and even at the Royal Show in 2022.

Jasmine has grown to love musical theatre over the last few years, and recently, was onstage with The Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of SA, with a role in the musical ‘The Boy from Oz’.

Jasmine is pleased to be part of the Mt Barker Carols event tonight and hopes you all have a wonderful time.

Jessica Saliba

Jessica Saliba is 14 years old and in Year 9 at Cornerstone College. I sing everywhere I go, quite often in class. I love school and have lots of fun in science and math, but I also look forward to athletics and sports. My free time is mostly taken up by my extracurriculars; I like to be busy, and choir and theatre are full of rehearsals and classes during the term.

I am currently part of the Australian Girls Choir and have been for three years. In my second year, I was given the role of soprano 1 section leader and became someone all my peers could come to for any help and advice about the songs in our repertoire or learning any choreography.

I have also participated in solo performances for my school Music class and small outdoor and indoor gigs with my vocal teacher, Lisa Duffield.

I’m always looking for new opportunities to broaden my horizons and I am so excited to be part of the 2024 Mt Barker Carols and Fireworks team!

Josie McClelland

Hello! My name is Josie McClelland and I attend Cornerstone College.

My passion has always been music, singing, performing and everything arty! I take vocal, saxophone, and guitar lessons and am also a part of 2 choirs and a band.

I have been a part of multiple musical performances including, two fringe productions with the Adelaide theatre academy. I have recently started to write my own music and am excited to get some of my songs recorded. I hope to develop my performance skills and continue performing because I really enjoy every experience.

In the future I will continue with music, whether this is a part of my job or as a hobby.

Lisa Duffield

Lisa Duffield is one of Adelaide’s premiere singers. She has had a varied and vibrant career in the pop music industry with her band, and has toured nationally and internationally.

She is an accomplished compere for many large events, and she can also be found performing with the Mt Barker Big Band, Mt Barker District Concert Band, and other Adelaide musicians.

Lisa is an experienced voice teacher, known for her encouraging teaching style and the success of her students. Many past students now have flourishing musical careers, and many move on to further vocal studies.

She has recently been coaching several young up and coming singers in Los Angeles online!

Lisa is the vocal teacher at Cornerstone College and St Francis de Sales College.

We are thrilled that Lisa has been able to join the Carols team again.

Max Maher

Max Maher has been part of the Carols team for 5 years now. He has been singing and playing the piano for 10 years, and just this year, he has played in the orchestra for The Metropolitan Music Theatre Company’s production of ‘The Addams Family’ and performed as part of the ensemble in ‘The Boy from Oz’ also produced by The Met.

He has enjoyed expanding his network this year through musical theatre and working on expanding his vocal range and style.

Max is excited to be part of this year’s Mt Barker Carols Vocal Team and hopes you enjoy our efforts tonight.

Tayla Arbon

Tayla Arbon is a Year 11 student at Cornerstone College.

She has been singing for as long as she can remember and loves musical theatre. She is a member of the Senior Vocal Ensemble, ‘Somethin’ Else’ and year level bands at the College and this year was accepted into the 2024 Class of Cabaret Programme.

Tayla studies voice with Lisa Duffield and is thrilled to be part of the Mount Barker Carols and Fireworks team and hopes you all enjoy the show tonight!

Tilly Lovelock

Matilda Lovelock is a second-year Bachelor of Music Student, studying at the Tabor Institute of Music. Tilly loves performing and is involved in Tabor’s award-winning A ‘Capella ensemble ‘Tabor Tones’ led by Charmaine Jones. She is also in Tabor’s musical theatre choir.

In 2022 Tilly was selected to perform as a soloist in Catholic Schools Music Festival at the Festival Theatre and was pleased to be involved in the Mount Barker District Concert Band’s ‘Black and Gold Cabaret’ this year for the third year.

Tilly also loves performing in her acoustic duo ‘Tilly and Lucas’ with her partner Lucas, who is playing guitar on the stage tonight.

Tilly is excited to be performing for you tonight for the seventh time in the Mount Barker Carols.

Willow Rist

Willow is 20 years old and a passionate musician and artist.

She has just finished her fourth year of studying Jazz Performance at Adelaide University, where she has had the pleasure of singing with the Adelaide Connection Jazz Choir and participating in workshops with American artist Jazzmeia Horn.

Alongside study, Willow is a part of the local Adelaide band ‘Close Friends’, and the current vocal teacher at Scott Creek Primary School.

Willow is proud to be part of the Mt Barker Carols team again and hopes you all have a wonderful Christmas.