Propelarts :: Board

Irma Woods

Irma is the Indig. Rep on Propelarts Board. With a background in Theatre, she works mainly as an actor and dramaturg.

Irma's love of performing arts began as a young girl, with her making her acting debut in Roal Dahls," Cinderella" at Wyalkatchem District High School!

She joined the Youth Arts Network, now Propelarts in September 2001, and is also a board member of Stages and the Perth rep for the Artistic Advisory Panel for the Australian National Playwright Conference.

Being apart of Propelarts growth has been a highlight of her working life!

"Living in the country and having no contact with likeminded people was very disheartening. With the support of my family I moved to Perth. In Perth I had no network of friends or my immediate family around me -

I wish Propelarts was alive when i was younger!

Pistacio icecream makes my heart sing!"

Alicia Walter

Alicia has been involved with music since an early age, both singing and playing the piano and violin. She began formal vocal training in High School and went onto classical training at University. In 2002 she graduated from the University of Western Australia, having completed her BMusEd and took a position as Head of Music at Peter Moyes Anglican School. Alicia is currently the Education Coordinator for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Alicia is an enthusiastic choral conductor and is currently the West Australian Chief Conductor and Director of Music for the Australian Youth Choir. She has performed as a vocalist in many ensembles Ensemble Veritas, the WASO Chorus, the Australian Opera Studio Chorus and is actively involved in contemporary vocal group Intermezzo.

She is passionate about making music accessible and appealing to all young people.

Cerrie Beech

Cerrie Beech is the current Midwest Youth Arts Development Officer, and has been employed by the Arts & Cultural Development Council of Geraldton in this position since 2004. During this period Cerrie has worked with many regional and remote communities to deliver youth arts and cultural events and projects. Cerrie has also developed a community performing group that consists mainly of youth who attend regular circus workshops and perform at local and regional events. Cerrie is currently working on a project to develop and deliver physical theatre and circus education to all schools and communities throughout WA. Cerrie currently sits on the Propelarts Board as an appointed regional representative.

David Hodgkinson

David Hodgkinson is a principal of The Hodgkinson Group, Aviation Advisors (www.hodgkinsongroup.com). The Group has advisors located in Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. David was formerly Director of Legal Services at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the organisation of the world’s international scheduled airlines, in Montreal. He has previously been a partner in a national Australian law firm. Earlier in his career he was senior Legal Research Officer at the High Court of Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours, a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Philosophy degree (with a thesis on treaty interpretation), and was a Postgraduate Fellow at Columbia University, New York. David currently serves on the Board as an appointed skills representative (legal/finance).

Sylvia Defendi

Sylvia Defendi holds a Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Cultural Studies and is currently employed full-time as a journalist with The Record and Discovery. Sylvia has worked previously as an english and primary school maths tutor, and has undertaken an industry practicuum with the Department of Community Development assisting with the communications unit of the City of South Perth. Sylvia is currently serving as the Secretary of the Board having been appointed to a youth arts representative vacancy.

Brooke Kelly

Brooke is the Program and Events Officer for KULCHA Multicultural Arts of WA. Brooke has a keen interest in the arts, particularly in music and youth arts and hopes to support and encourage the celebration of cultural diversity in Australia. Brooke brings to Propelarts expertise in programming a weekly music and multi-arts venue, event and project management, and artist advocacy and liaison.

Brooke is passionate about supporting the local arts scene and began her career in the arts working at the Fremantle Arts Centre. Brooke also contributes her time volunteering for the WAMi festival as well as other local music festivals.