CQUniversity Australia
 

Engaging Indigenous people within Higher Ed

CQUniversity's Office of Indigenous Engagement recently hosted a visit from the Oodgeroo Unit of Queensland University of Technology (QUT), at Rockhampton Campus.

Professor Anita Lee Hong, Director of the Oodgeroo Unit, and Lone Pearce, Project Officer, met with Office of Indigenous Engagement staff to discuss employment issues and best practice models for engaging Indigenous people within the higher education sector, including governance matters.

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The Wedding Singer who adds that special ambience 

Forget Adam Sandler's nuptial renditions because Zoë Faen is one wedding singer who is all class...

To hear a recording of Zoë singing, please click on the links below:

How Blessed We Are | MP3 | 1.36Mb

Now That I've Seen Her | MP3 | 1.51 MB

The CQUniversity musical theatre graduate operates her own business out of Sydney, MusicAmore, singing at weddings and other special events.

PhotoID:8153, Zoe Faen adds a touch of class to special celebrations.
Zoe Faen adds a touch of class to special celebrations.
But unlike Sandler's character in the 1998 hit flick, The Wedding Singer, Zoë's performances occur during the wedding ceremony, adding a touch of elegance and a special ambience to the occasion.

"What moves and excites me about weddings is the feeling of 2 people declaring their love for each other in front of family and friends, and promising to be a partner, best friend and companion for the rest of their lives," Zoë explained.

"I hope to leave the bridal couple and guests with a lasting memory of their special day - one which only music can create."

Zoë believes that singing a song that has special meaning to the couple adds a personal touch to the day and adds another layer of emotion which leaves a lasting impression.

With a new business set to bloom, and with a toddler in tow and a new bub on the way, life is very busy for Zoë.

 She said being mum is very rewarding.

"Motherhood has given me a completely new perspective on life and a new-found appreciation of mothers everywhere.

"Suddenly there is nothing more important that the health, wellbeing and happiness of your entire family..."

Zoë grew up in a musical family and was lured to the profession by the theatrical elements of the craft.

She studied through the University's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay, to which she attributes much of her later success.

"Being based in a regional centre was a real bonus as there weren't too many distractions from our work.

"We had many opportunities to work with fantastic people on quite a personal level ... we also had a lot of performing opportunities which I don't think we would have had in a bigger university."

After completing her degree (with Distinction), Zoë relocated to London to develop a career in cabaret and theatre; however she met her husband James instead!

Theatre performances often meant working up to 8 shows a week, with little time for each other. That's where wedding singing comes out on top ... it is usually only on weekends.

After returning to Australia, invitations to sing at weddings came flooding in and MusicAmore was born.

Some of her career highlights to date include playing Eponine in a production of Les Miserables, performing in 2 cabaret shows at Bar Me in Sydney's Kings Cross and most recently singing at a friend's wedding in Sweden.

For more information about MusicAmore visit http://www.musicamore.com.au/ .