Simon K Patterson, Creative Producer
This year is Simon’s 17th Spectacular and it continues to be one of his favourite annual events to work on. He takes great pride in working with the young artists on VSSS and mentoring the up-and-coming production students. Simon is an in-demand event producer having worked on events such as White Night, the Australian Open and Formula One Australian Grand Prix. Simon originally studied Stage Management, then Event Management, and still works on a diverse range of events as a producer, production manager, tour manager, stage manager and operations director. He is excited to be delivering another incredible Spectacular in 2025!!
Chong Lim AM, Musical Director
Chong Lim AM is a musical director, composer, musician and ARIA-nominated album producer. His work as a musical director includes Dancing with the Stars, Logie Awards, John Farnham and Kylie Minogue tours, multiple Commonwealth Games and AFL Grand Finals. He worked as a composer and producer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, 2022 and 2023 Australian Open Women’s Final and the 2021 Moama Lights Show. He has worked with acts such as Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams. He recently worked on the Hans Zimmer Australian Tour and also the off-Broadway production of Rolling Thunder Vietnam.
Yvette Lee, Dance Director
Yvette Lee is one of Australia’s most recognised creatives in dance, choreography, and show design. With a 20-year career spanning film, television, live events, musical theatre, and large-scale productions, she is a core member of Mushroom Creative, leading show direction, casting, choreography, staging, and camera direction for major events like the AFL Grand Final Pre-Show, working with KISS, Robbie Williams, and Baker Boy. She was Mass Dance Producer for Katy Perry’s 2024 Pre-Show. Her work includes choreography and camera direction for the Melbourne Cup Ceremony, collaborating with Delta Goodrem, Jon Stevens, Ronan Keating, and Ricki-Lee. She is the Artistic Director of VDF and Show Director for Jessica Mauboy’s Yours Forever Tour.
Isaac Lummis, Costume Designer
Isaac has been involved with the Spectacular since 2008. Isaac is a costume designer with a passion for period costume and the theatrical. He works closely with wardrobe artisans and technicians to turn ideas into reality. Isaac’s costume design credits include Elvis: A Musical Revolution, Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Oklahoma!, Brigadoon, Hello Dolly!, Dusty and more. His work as a maker and art finisher has featured in productions such as & Juliet, 100% Kylie, Moomba Festival and Carols in the Domain.
Kai Chen Lim, Music Administrator and Head of Arrangements
Kai Chen Lim is a film composer, orchestrator/arranger and television producer. Since completing his studies in film music at UCLA’s Film Scoring Extension program, Kai has built a large body of work in both narrative and documentary, short and feature length films, live performance, television and advertising. This has culminated in award wins and film screenings at festivals such as the Academy Awards® accredited Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). Kai has been working on the Spectacular since 2017 as arranger/orchestrator. Currently, Kai is the Associate Music Producer for Vision Australia’s Carols By Candlelight on Nine Network.
Hara Papoulias, Associate Dance Director
Hara is a vibrant dance artist and creative in Victoria’s entertainment industry. She works closely with Yvette Lee, contributing to the 2022–2024 AFL Grand Final pre-show entertainment alongside artists like Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, and KISS.
Hara has collaborated with brands including Samsonite, Chemist Warehouse, and Diesel. Whether production assisting for New Ground Collective or choreographing for the Spectacular, her passion is contagious. She’s still as stoked as ever to mentor the next wave of superstars and remains dedicated to nurturing emerging talent and inspiring students across Victoria.
Dr. Richard Vaudrey, Music Associate - Conductor
Dr. Richard Vaudrey is a multifaceted musician appearing nationally as a cellist, conductor, songwriter and prominent musical educator.
Richard gained his Doctorate from the State University of New York, acting as Teaching Assistant to the Emerson String Quartet, and performing in venues throughout NYC, including Carnegie Hall. Richard is a regular education specialist and presenter for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Richard toured nationally with comedian Sammy-J, filming a special for Paramount Plus in addition to his own classical solo project Two Deep Breaths with sold out performances in collaboration with William Barton.
Kathy Hinch, Music Associate - Principal Vocal
Kathy is a Melbourne-based singer, songwriter, session vocalist and voice teacher with extensive performance experience across stage and screen. Her performance credits include studio backing vocals for Australian Idol 2023, World Pride vocalist ABC, performer on The Voice Australia 2013 and international performances as a feature vocalist. As a writer, Kathy’s music has featured on Grey's Anatomy (USA), Winners & Losers and Neighbours (Australia). Kathy is a graduate of the University of Melbourne (Master of Music – Performance Teaching), and the Victorian College of the Arts (Bachelor of Music - Jazz and Improvisation), and is passionate about helping young people forge lifelong connections with music.
Lisa Maxwell-Cripps, Music Associate - Vocal Ensemble
Lisa Maxwell-Cripps is an accomplished artist, performer, and composer. She recorded and toured extensively as a backing vocalist for Kate Ceberano, INXS, and Wendy Matthews before signing with Sony Music (DancePool) and releasing her debut album, Wish, which produced two top 10 hits in Japan. With extensive live performance, television, and international film composition credits, she has performed at major music festivals and appeared in ABC’s award-winning comedy FISK. A passionate educator, Lisa has mentored young artists in secondary schools for over a decade, is a sessional voice teacher at Monash University, and was a vocal coach to Kitty Flanagan for her 2024 comedy shows.
Clare Wever, Music Associate - Choir
Clare Wever is an experienced performer, singing teacher and performing arts educator. Clare has extensive choral singing experience, having trained with the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) for over a decade, performing at iconic venues and alongside stars including Hugh Jackman and Olivia Newton-John.
She currently tutors with the AGC and instructs with both the Australian School of Performing Arts and not-for-profit performing arts program, Girls from Oz.
Clare is passionate about uplifting young people through music and empowering them in the performing arts. She is delighted to be back working with so many talented performers and creatives in this year's Spectacular.
Paul Jackson, Lighting Designer
Paul has designed for most of Australia's leading performing arts companies and has lectured in design at the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and the Victorian College of the Arts. His work has featured in festivals and programmes in the United States, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Paul was listed in The Bulletin’s Smart 100 for 2004, was the Gilbert Spottiswood Churchill Fellow for 2007 and was an Artistic Associate at Malthouse Theatre from 2007-2013. He has received a Helpmann Award, seven Green Room Awards, two Sydney Theatre Awards, six APDG awards, a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland and an Australia Council Fellowship (Theatre).
Robert Cuddon, Lighting and Media Content Designer
Robert is one of Australia’s leading theatre practitioners working primarily for large-scale commercial productions. Robert has made a name for himself in the field of lighting and projection. He has worked extensively on major musicals, concerts, television shows, events and productions for most of the world's leading designers and companies. Robert has extensive experience as an associate designer and is an award-nominated designer in his own right.
Deb Hallam, Costume Stock Coordinator & Buyer
Deb Hallam has been a member of the Spectacular wardrobe team since 2011 and would like to acknowledge what a privilege it has been to help cultivate such a unique experience for so many Victorian school children over the past 14 years. A VCA graduate with many years of professional experience in costume management, sourcing, design, and construction, Deb continues to love that this project delivers the opportunity for so many young Victorians to be a part of a large-scale, professional, arena experience.
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