Simon K Patterson, Creative Producer
This year is Simon’s 18th 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 2026!!
Chong Lim AM, Musical Director
Chong Lim AM is a Helpmann Award nominated musical director, composer, musician and ARIA-nominated album producer. His work as a musical director includes Dancing with the Stars, Logie Awards, John Farnham, Olivia Newton- John and Kylie Minogue tours, multiple Commonwealth, Asian 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 AFL Grand Final Half-time entertainment shows. 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 an Australian choreographer and director working across television, theatre and major live events. She is known for delivering large-scale performance productions that integrate choreography, casting, staging and creative direction into cohesive broadcast and stadium experiences.
Yvette has led major productions including the AFL Grand Final Pre-Game Entertainment and Dreamtime at the ‘G’, featuring artists such as Snoop Dogg, Robbie Williams, KISS and Baker Boy.
Her television credits include Dancing With the Stars, The Masked Singer Australia, So You Think You Can Dance, Australian Idol, The X Factor and Asia’s Got Talent, along with choreography and direction for the ARIA Awards and Logie Awards.
Yvette served as Artistic Director of the Victorian Dance Festival for 7 years and was named Sydney Opera House Emerging Director for 2026.
Isaac Lummis, Costume Designer
Isaac has been designing costumes for the Spectacular since 2008. Isaac is a costume designer with a passion for the theatrical, and works across musicals, opera, circus and cabaret. He works closely with wardrobe artisans and technicians to turn his designs into reality. Isaac’s costume design credits include Elvis: A Musical Revolution, Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Oklahoma!, Brigadoon, Hello Dolly!, Dusty and many more.
His work as a maker and art finisher has featured in productions such as & Juliet, RuPaul’s Drag Race, 100% Kylie, Moomba Festivals 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 & creative working within Victoria’s entertainment industry.
She works closely with Yvette Lee at Mushroom Events and has been part of the creative team for the 2022–2025 AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment, featuring artists including Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, Tina Arena, Delta Goodrem, KISS, Baker Boy, Jessica Mauboy and Snoop Dogg.
Her experience spans working with major brands. From production assisting with New Ground Collective to contributing creatively across large-scale live events, Hara brings infectious energy and passion to every project.
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 2025, in his role as Performer, Arranger and Musical Director, Richard was awarded a Green Room Nomination for Best Musical Director for acclaimed comedian Sammy-J's original Australian Musical: Fiasco, A Burke and Wills Musical.
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 vocalist, composer and elite educator (Monash University) with decades of experience mentoring confident and expressive performers.
She brings real industry insight to her professional practice, having recorded and toured extensively with Kate Ceberano, INXS, Wendy Matthews and Ross Wilson. Upon signing to Sony Music (DancePool), she released an EP and album, Wish, gaining international chart success and 2 top 10 hits in Japan.
From major music festivals, television, radio interviews; discussing The Importance of Music Education in schools with Simon Marney (ABC radio), live ARIA and APRA performances, and international film composition credits. She recently vocal coached Kitty Flanagan and appears in her ABC award-winning series FISK with Julia Zemiro (Acapella SOS).
Clare Wever, Music Associate - Choir
Clare is an experienced performer, singing teacher and performing arts educator, with extensive choral singing experience across numerous genres and styles. Having trained with the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) for over a decade, she has had the privilege of performing at iconic venues and alongside stars including Hugh Jackman and Olivia Newton-John.
She is also a tutor with the AGC, Instructor for the Australian School of Performing Arts and Instructor for not-for-profit performing arts program Girls from Oz. Clare brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to her role in the Spectacular, and is passionate about uplifting and empowering young people through music and the performing arts.
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, seven 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.
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