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ACOCO is a powerhouse of expertise, experience, and boundless dedication, combining their talents to craft specialist programs and awe-inspiring performances.
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In our fifteenth year of operation, we're overflowing with gratitude for the incredible journey we've shared with artists, supporters and audiences.
ACOCO brings a kaleidoscope of thoughts, skills, and expertise to the stage, with a single purpose — to sing stories of today and tomorrow.
ACOCO INC. est. 2008 is a registered charity (DGR, TCC). Our charitable purpose is advancing arts, culture and education. ACOCO complies with annual reporting requirements of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 and Australian Charities and NonProfit Commission. ACOCO is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient and Tax Concession Charity with ACNC / ATO Register of Cultural Organisations, for the charitable purpose of Advancing arts and culture and Advancing Education. Donations to Australian Contemporary Opera Fund are tax-deductible.
GOVERNANCE
Linda Thompson
BMus (Hons Perf) MEL GCert Monash
Founder / Artistic Director / CEO
Amy Poynton
Corporate Relations
Chair 2021 -
Joined 2020
Bill Gillies
Legal / Arts
Dep Chair 2021 -
Chair 2010-2021
Josie Rizza
Treasurer 2022 -
Joined 2022
Brian Castles-Onion AM
Artistic Advisor
Joined 2016
Joy Villalino
Fundraising / Philanthropy
Joined 2023
Tash Menon-Verheul
Entrepreneurship / Branding
Joined 2023
Daniel Todd
Practising Artist
Joined 2023
Do you have something to contribute to ACOCO's capacity and growth?
Write to us today:
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
Linda Thompson
Artistic Director / Stage Director / Producer
Brian Castles-Onion AM
Conductor
Carlo Antonioli
Conductor - Emerging
Phillipa Safey
Pianist - Music Director
Joyce Chahine
Pianist - repetiteur - Emerging
Ellie Nunan
Stage Director - Assistant
Joseph Noonan
Set Designer
Madeline Nibali
Costume Designer
Luke Leonard
Stage Director - Artistic Collaborator (USA)
William Barton
Composer - Collaborator (THE INCIDENT)
Coady Green
Pianist - Collaborator (THE INCIDENT)
ADVISORS
Simon Lewis & Hannah Durack
GoodWolf Partners
Liz Nield OAM
Former Director, External Relations National Portrait Gallery
Philanthropy Director, Opera Australia 1999-2018
Stephanie Exton
CEO, Mornington Peninsula Foundation
Paul Gardner OAM
Sponsorship - Sales & Media
Dr Peter Ellyard
Futurist, Strategy, Global Civic Engagement
Natalie O'Brien AM
CEO, Melbourne Exhibition & Conference Centre
Founding CEO Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
Sandra Willis
CEO, Melbourne Recital Centre
Former GM, Opera Queensland and OzOpera
Elizabeth Gillies
CEO, Menzies Foundation
Board, Philanthropy Australia