PRESS
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2015
Media Contact
Courtney Weaver
0411 127 928
courtneyleeweaver@gmail.com
GET SPRUCED UP FOR CHRISTMAS IN MOUNT LAWLEY
The inaugural Mount Lawley Christmas Festival will take place on Sunday 29
November and will feature the lighting of the soon to be iconic Mt Lawley Christmas
tree, a concert by The Soprano Project, a Christmas market and more!
Driving along Beaufort Street, one may find the large pine tree outside of St Patrick’s Mount Lawley hard
to miss due to its extraordinary height. This year, the tree will be specially lit for Christmas and an entire
festival has been planned to celebrate the turning on of the lights on Advent Sunday.
“I’m very excited about the prospect of our tree becoming a local icon,” said Father Stephen Conway, the
parish priest of St Patrick’s Mount Lawley. “When I arrived as the parish priest earlier this year, I wanted
to find ways that the church could become involved in the local community. Holding a celebration that
involves local businesses and artists seems like a fantastic way to share our soon to be iconic status.” and
so the Mount Lawley Christmas Festival was born.
A collaboration between St Patrick’s, the Second Avenue Plaza and UnchARTed Collective with support from
the City of Stirling, Inglewood Hotel and local community groups, Inglewood on Beaufort and the Beaufort
Street Network, the festival will feature a live nativity, petting zoo, camel rides for children, delicious food
and market stalls perfect for Christmas shopping as well as plenty of live entertainment. Many of the market
stalls will feature handmade and locally crafted art and other products.
“We had contacted the City of Stirling about activating our area of Beaufort Street and linking up with
other local businesses. The City of Stirling kindly put us in touch with Fr Stephen and we are really
excited to be involved and give something back to the community but also give more exposure to the
local artists that we support as part of our business,” said Sioux Tempestt from UnchARTed Collective.
Exciting new vocal outfit, The Soprano Project, will perform their launch concert, Adventageous! at 5pm
which will feature a world premiere of a new work by local award winning composer, Perry Joyce along
with more traditional favourite Christmas and Advent songs and poetry.
Once the sun has set, community carols will be sung by candlelight, accompanied by a 45-piece concert
band as the Christmas tree is lit.
If you would like to schedule an interview with Fr Stephen Conway, Courtney Pitman, Alexandra Bak or
Sioux Tempestt please contact Courtney Weaver on courtneyleeweaver@gmail.com or 0411 127 928
ABOUT UNCHARTED COLLECTIVE
Perth-based artist Sioux Tempestt runs UnchARTed Collective and describes it as
an innovative hub for all things creative, crafted by Australian artisans. In store
you will discover artisan made wares such as handcrafted ceramics, abstract art,
homewares, body products, fashion, jewellery and everything else in between. It
is the designers and their products that make the collective truly unique. The stellar range of products,
displayed in a contemporary yet casual atmosphere, gives visitors the opportunity to experience something
special. The collective offers a creative environment for Australian artisans to connect with and have their
work purchased by the public
ABOUT THE SOPRANO PROJECT
Imagine concerts that engage all of your senses – touch, taste, smell, sight and sound.
Imagine local artists from a variety of different mediums – photography, poetry, dance, fine art, music –
all coming together to create something new and original.
Imagine music and art being a living part of your community.
Welcome to The Soprano Project – the dream of two passionate singers to create a modern renaissance of
classical music performance.
www.thesopranoproject.com
Alexandra Bak
Alexandra Bak is a graduate of the WA Academy of Performing Arts
where she studied cello, classical voice and musical theatre. During
her studies she was awarded the Faith Court scholarship for
musical excellence.
In 2007 Alexandra participated in Art Song Perth’s inaugural
emerging artist scholarship and won the Ralph Thompson Memorial
scholarship in the same year. In 2009 Alexandra was a semi finalist
in the German Australian Opera Grant and in 2011 she received a
scholarship to attend the inaugural Lisa Gasteen Opera Summer
School in Brisbane.
Alexandra has appeared regularly with West Australian Opera Chorus since 2008 and sang the role of una
novizia in Suor Angelica. Other roles include Hansel in Hänsel und Gretel with Opera Box, Miss Pinkerton
in The Old Maid and the Thief at the Fringe World Festival 2014, Leischen in Bach’s Coffee Cantata and
Galatea in Acis and Galatea with Black Swan Baroque, Sandman/Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel at the
Australian Opera Studio and numerous principal roles with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA, Midnite
Youth Theatre and Yellow glass theatre. Alexandra performed as a soloist at the annual Best of British
concerts at the Perth concert hall since 2005 and the Vienna Pops New Year’s Eve concerts since 2010.
Alexandra has sung the soprano solos in Mozart Coronation and Sparrow Masses, Hayden Little Organ and
Nelson Masses, Schubert Mass in G, Faure Requiem, Rutter Requiem and Bach Mass in F major with Christ
Church Claremont, Collegium Symphonic Chorus, Wesley Uniting Church, the Giovanni Consort and I Voci.
Courtney Pitman
Born in Launceston, Tasmania, Mezzo Soprano Courtney Pitman was
singing before she could talk. Her earliest musical education was
gained through The Salvation Army where she was a member of the
Singing Company and Young People’s Band. After commencing a
music performance degree on the French Horn at the University of
Western Australia, Courtney soon realised that singing was her true
passion.
She auditioned for the WA Opera and was accepted as a member of
the chorus at just 20 years of age. Courtney continues to perform with
WA Opera. Roles have included: Nancy (Oliver) and Jenny (Company) for ICW Productions, Tessa (The
Gondoliers) and Katisha (The Mikado) for The Gilbert & Sullivan
Society of WA and Smeton (Anna Bolena) and Countess Ceprano
(Rigoletto) for OperaBox Inc. In 2009 she toured Western Australia
with the WA Opera in Education Program, performing at schools
throughout the metropolitan and Great Southern regions to introduce
opera to K-12 students.
Courtney’s solo concert repertoire includes: The Messiah (Handel),
Mass in C Minor (Mozart), Requiem Mass (Mozart), St John’s Passion
(Bach), Petite Messe Sollennelle (Rossini), Gloria (Vivaldi), Magnificat
(Bach), Magnificat (Vivaldi), Christmas Oratorio (Bach) for St
George’s Cathedral, UWA Choral Society and Collegium Symphonic
Chorus.
Perry Joyce
Studying music at the University of Western Australia, majoring in
composition, with over 15 years performance experience, Perry brings his enthusiasm for singing and a
sheer passion for his art together to produce award winning compositions.
His works have received many awards including the Sydney Symphony's Young Composers Award, the
Gondwana Voices Young Composers Award, the WASO Education Chamber Orchestra Award, and the
2012 Paula and David Tunley Award.
Perry is a choral clinician as well as a vocal coach both privately and for schools and colleges. Having
directed many West Australian choirs in 2014 he launched the premier state children’s choir WAYV - the
West Australian Young Voices, which he conducts and leads as its Artistic Director.
Perry is a tenor with the West Australian Opera Company, St George’s Cathedral Consort and The
Giovanni Consort who performed last year alongside Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones.