Conservatorium Academy
The purpose of the Conservatorium Academy in Mackay is to provide music and theatre training as an extension to the dance, drama and music classes that young people may already be engaged in. In keeping with this philosophy, the Conservatorium Academy will provide students with opportunities to perform through regular concerts and special events.
Operating out of our fully equipped, professional theatre, studios and teaching spaces, classes are delivered in a safe, educational and recreational environment by outstanding teachers and tutors. We look forward to nurturing your child's enthusiasm for the performing arts and all it has to offer!
A welcome from our CQCM director
Welcome to the Conservatorium Academy!
Our aim is to provide a safe, educational and recreational environment, with high-energy, fun classes taught in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.
In addition to using our fantastic facilities, students will also interact with internationally acclaimed visiting industry professionals who work with the Bachelor of Music and Theatre students at CQUniversity. Some of the professionals that have worked with CQCM students include Chloe Dallimore (Sydney), Peter Cousens (Sydney), Glen Hogstrom (Melbourne), Jason Langley (Melbourne), John Morrison (Sydney), Jeff Jarvis (USA) and Dan Barnett (Sydney).
The full-time staff of the music and theatre programs are also internationally recognised artists who have tutored graduates who are now working professionally in music and theatre in Australia and around the world. We endeavour to help each student develop a love of music and theatre and all it has to offer, whilst maintaining their own personality and individuality within a high quality and rigorous program.
My girls really look forward to the no pressure, encouraging and fun atmosphere each week and I love that they've made a vast array of new friends from many different schools.
~ Liz, mum of two Conservatorium Academy participants
Our Staff
Nicole Pillhofer
Australian soprano Nicole Pillhofer has been an active performer for many years. With extensive performance experience in regional Queensland, Nicole has also toured throughout New Zealand, Malaysia and the United States of America as a singer, instrumentalist and vocal coach.
As an emerging artist, Nicole's main focus is the repertoire of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, but she also is growing in experience with contemporary classical art song, specialising in Australian composition. Over the years, Nicole has successfully competed in a number of vocal competitions and received numerous awards, most recently winning the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition (2022) and also the North Queensland Operatic Aria Contest as well as being awarded Most Pleasing Classical Voice (2022). She was the soprano soloist for Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Mackay Choral Society (2019), portrayed the lead role of ‘The Plaintiff’ in Mackay Choral Society’s production of Trial By Jury (2021), and was the featured soloist with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra on their regional ‘Classical Reimagined’ tour (2022). This coming July, Nicole has been invited to perform as the soprano soloist for Handel’s Messiah with Vox Suara and the BMA Symphony Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Since 2021, Nicole has worked with extensively with young performers both in Australia and overseas through her work with collaborative company The Culture Exchange. She has facilitated a number of youth singing and music theatre workshops and is very passionate about nurturing and fostering a love of music and singing in young people.
It has been a great source of joy for my children to be part of the Con Academy family for the last four years. I have seen them grow in confidence and skill. I have repeatedly recommended the program to interested families.
~ Stephanie, mum of two Conservatorium Academy participants
Conservatorium Academy students
Check out some of our students having fun onstage.
