This curriculum vitae outlines Olwen Williams' experience as an events, orchestra, and festival manager over 25 years. She has held roles managing large ensembles at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was the operations manager for the Sydney International Music Festival. Currently, she is the events manager at The Southport School, where she oversees student services and special events. Olwen also runs her own business, Solo to Symphony Productions, providing musical performances and productions. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and personnel management for large-scale artistic events.

1. C U R R I C U L U M V I T A E
O L W E N W I L L I A M S
S Y D N E Y
O P E R A
H O U S E

2. O L W E N W I L L I A M S
You have been a true friend to
Government House over the years
and a tower of strength for the
Conservatorium. Shirley and I wish
you well...
“
”
GOVERNMENT
HOUSE
SYDNEY
H I S E X C E L L E N C Y R E A R A D M I R A L
P E T E R S I N C L A I R
G O V E R N O R O F N E W S O U T H W A L E S
C U R R I C U L U M V I T A E

3. T E S T I M O N I A L S
“I’m sure she would bring to any position her excellent personal skills and a
breadth of experience from which any organisation could greatly benefit.”
– Prof. John Hopkins, OBE Former Principal Sydney Conservatorium of Music
“It was fabulous having Olwen on board the team. The Orchestra sounded
magnificent and her organisation of them was such a big help. What a relief!!”
– Mary Lopez, Producer / Director Darling Harbour Christmas Pageant & TCN7 Broadcast
“Each year when I arrive from Melbourne exhausted before the Convention
has even started, Olwen provided a breath of fresh air and inspiration with her
positive attitude throughout the entire Music Convention.”
– Ian Harvey, CEO Australian Music Association Pty Ltd.
“This ain’t your first barbecue, is it sister?”
– Maynard Ferguson, Jazz Trumpeter
“Queensland’s gain is New South Wales’ loss.”
– Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair, Governor of NSW
“She is my Operations Queen!”
– Bill Lutt, CEO World Projects Pty Ltd (Berkley) “Sydney International Music Festival”
“Couldn’t have done it without her again this year!”
– Barry Jenkins, CEO Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
“Olwen is the best in the business.”
– Joy Yates, International Vocalist and Tutor, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
“Olwen would be capable of running one of my aid projects in Africa, let alone
what she does here in Australia.”
– Pierina Redler, Round Square International Representative

4. P R O F I L E
O L W E N W I L L I A M S
Olwen is an organisation and event manager predominantly in the arts, music and education
sectors specialising in large ensemble management. Currently Olwen is Events Manager
& Student Services Co-Ordinator at The Southport School - an International Boarding &
Day School for boys on the Gold Coast, South East Queensland. Recently accredited with
Advanced Diploma of Management.
Always keen for empowerment of self and others, she is now eager to expand her
parameters and achieve results beyond the expected.
C A R E E R H I G H L I G H T S
The Southport School 2001- current - Events Manager & Student Services Co-Ordinator
Director, Solo To Symphony Productions 1997 - current
Producer “Dancing with the Cars” street festival in conjunction with Superfest & GCCC -
2015
Orchestra Manager, Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra 1996
Orchestra & Ensembles Manager, Sydney Conservatorium of Music 1990 - 1995
National Tour & Orchestra Manager, Australian Youth Orchestra 1990
Successful Production Tenderer, Sydney Jazz Festival (SOH Forecourt) 1998
P.A. General Manager (ABC), Sydney Symphony Orchestra 1986-1988

5. S T A G E A N D O R C H E S T R A M A N A G E M E N T
PA to General Manager, Sydney Symphony Orchestra 1986 - 1988
Concert Officer, Sydney Symphony Orchestra 1988
Assistant Orchestra Manager, Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra 1995 (casual)
Orchestra Manager & Contractor, Darling Harbour Christmas Broadcast 1993 - 1995
Orchestra Manager, Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra 1996 - 1997
Stage Manager, Manly Jazz Festival, Main Stage 1997
Stage Manager, The Greenroom Project, MW Productions, The Arts Centre Gold Coast
and The Powerhouse Brisbane 2013 - 2015
Stage managing and calling productions, TSS 2005 - 2015
A R T I S T L I A I S O N
Artist Co-ordinator, Queensland Jazz Festival 1991 - 1993
Publicist Agent & Performer, 991/2 Vocal Acapella Quintet 1990 - 1995
Musician Contractor, Southport RSL, Jazz on a Sunday 2003 - 2004
Support Musician Contractor, Natalie Cole Tour, Capitol Theatre, Penrith Panthers,
Gold Coast Convention Centre 2004
T R A D E S H O W S
Exhibitor Administrator & FOH, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 1999 - 2013
Zone Coordinator, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 1998 - 2015
Administrator, VASA Convention, Brisbane Convention Centre 2000
Musician Contractor, Wedding Links Convention, Gold Coast Arts Centre 1999
Convention Administration, Australian Music Association Convention, Conrad Jupiters and
Gold Coast Convention Centre 1999 - 2005 & 2013
Production Manager, International Library Symposium - TSS 2014
O V E R V I E W

6. E V E N T S , S T A G E , T O U R , P R O D U C T I O N ,
O R C H E S T R A & F E S T I V A L M A N A G E R ,
C L A S S I C A L & J A Z Z P E R F O R M A N C E A G E N T
Olwen Williams has been part of the music, events and festival management industry
from both sides of the proscenium for the past 25 years. Having been mentored in arts
administration under Mary Valentine, General Manager of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra,
she has since held high profile positions in the arts and events arena.
E V E N T M A N A G E M E N T
Ensembles / Orchestra Manager, Sydney Conservatorium of Music 1990 - 1995
Producer, Chamber Music Evenings Government House Sydney 1990 - 1995
Production Manager, Sydney International Music Festival 1991 - 1998
Production Manager, Monterey Jazz Festival Darling Harbour 1991 - 1998
Production Manager, Newport Jazz Festival 1992 - 1995
Production Manager, Sydney Harbour Jazz Festival 1997
Producer, Oyster Cove Annual Christmas Festival 1999 - 2006
Producer, New Years Eve Celebration Concert, Broadbeach Mall 1999
Events Manager & Student Services Co-ordinator, The Southport School 2001 - 2013
Director and General Manager, Solo to Symphony Productions 1995 - 2016
Director and Production Manager, Main Beach “Dancing with the Cars” street event 2015
Australian Youth
Orchestra Tour 1990
O V E R V I E W

7. O R C H E S T R A A N D E V E N T S M A N A G E R
S Y D N E Y C O N S E R V A T O R I U M O F M U S I C 1 9 9 0 - 1 9 9 5
Managing all large ensembles in the Performance Faculty of the Sydney
Conservatorium of Music (Sydney University) including:
- Symphony Orchestra (100 pax)
- Wind Symphony (120 pax)
- Saxophone Ensemble (80 pax)
- Chamber Orchestra (40 pax)
- Jazz Big Band (16 pax)
Aspects of management:
- Stage calls and management
- Personnel
- Tour management and bookings
- Publicity
- Plotting and supervision of stage set-ups
- Engagement of Conductors
- Artist liaison
- Venue booking
- Budget reconciliation
- Orchestral scores and parts
- Front of House
- Box Office
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Sydney Conservatorium of Music - rehearsal of
Berlioz Requiem, - Orchestra 150, Choir 800 - largest
ensemble to grace the Sydney Opera House Concert
Hall, conducted by John Hopkins.
B A C K G R O U N D

8. O P E R A T I O N S M A N A G E R ( W O R L D P R O J E C T S P T Y L T D )
S Y D N E Y I N T E R N A T I O N A L M U S I C F E S T I V A L 1 9 9 0 - 1 9 9 8
This large scale annual international festival brings together musicians and vocalists of university
and high school age for a week of performance, workshops, dinners, awards ceremonies and
camaraderie. World class professional performers were also showcased each year. Logistically,
this is one of Olwen’s largest achievements, concurrently managing rehearsals, workshops, and
performances whilst stage managing in Sydney’s major venues, including Sydney Opera House,
Sydney Town Hall, Martin Place Ampitheatre, Darling Harbour, Sydney Conservatorium of Music,
and Manly Corso.
- Stage management and selection and training of management team and festival production staff
- Control of production budgets
- International and VIP protocols
- Provision of transport and logistics, freight and personnel
- Overseeing rehearsals, performances, dinner functions and awards nights
for over 1,000 Australian and international musicians
- Creation and implementation of technical running sheets, instrument
requirements and stage plots
B A C K G R O U N D

9. Archbishop Phillip Aspinall
at Installation of
Headmaster Greg Wain
B A C K G R O U N D
E V E N T S M A N A G E R & S T U D E N T S E R V I C E S C O - O R D I N A T O R
T H E S O U T H P O R T S C H O O L 2 0 0 1 - C U R R E N T
Management of all presentation events in a large high-profile historic institution providing administration
and event organisation to the faculties including Boarding, Dining, Chapel, Health Centre, Cadets,
Community Services, Discipline and Pastoral.
Managing and coordinating:
- Student Services
- Logistics
- Departmental budgets
- Special Event Dinners and House Suppers
- Corporate publications
- Clients & Staff
- Personnel Selection, Supervision & Mentoring
- Dignitaries and ceremonies protocols including stage management of graduation and speech days
Attendees included: The Governor of Queensland - Ms P Wensley, Primate of Australia -
Archbishop Rev P Aspinall, School Council Chair & Board Members
- Stage managing and calling musical productions such as Big (2002) and Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolour Dreamcoat (2005)
- House Drama mentor, producer and stage manager, Interhouse drama competitions 2013 - 2015

10. D I R E C T O R
S O L O T O S Y M P H O N Y P R O D U C T I O N S
Solo to Symphony Productions’ vision is to “Provide the highest quality
entertainment and production choices above and beyond customer
expectations. Anything from a soloist to a symphony orchestra, in all musical
génres”
- Administration and responsibiities of own business
- Organisational skills and systems
- Strategic planning and time-lines
- Budget forecast, control and maintenance
- Artist sourcing and engagement
- Client & stakeholder consultation and feedback
- Production management
- Workplace health and safety, public liability, security
and government bi-laws
- Publicity and media
- Effective communication
- Personnel management
- Production manuals, tour schedules and credentials
- Corporate image and public relations
B A C K G R O U N D

11. V O C A L I S T A N D M . C .
Her musicality and knowledge of music theory encompasses many génres. She commenced
studying piano forté at the age of five and now shares her theoretical and practical musical
skills and techniques by privately tutoring piano from Grade 1 through Grade 6 in the
Australian Music Examination Board curriculum, and with one-on-one vocal coaching.
Having performed internationally as an acapella and jazz vocalist, and host of numerous
functions and ceremonies, Olwen’s ability to communicate in many arenas makes her an
excellent orator and presenter.
She has appeared at:
- Sydney Opera House with The Sydney Symphony Orchestra and 991/2 Vocal Ensemble
- Sydney Town Hall
- Regent Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
- The Fringe Festival, Edinburgh
- Twin Towns Services Club
- Indy Celebrations, Broadbeach, Gold Coast
- Midday Show with Ray Martin
- Australian Children’s Choir, Guest Vocalist, QPAC
- Guest National Anthem singer, various international sporting events
- Various public and private functions and events
P E R F O R M E R

12. S T R A T E G I C M A N A G E M E N T & F I N A N C I A L L E A D E R S H I P
Over 25 years of demonstrated planning and implementation of successful performance
based events, delivered on-time and within budget. Employment history establishes successful
leadership with an administrative, fiscal, technical and communication skill set. Achieved with
check lists, critical path analysis and gant charts coupled with flexible, open minded positive
attitudes, being prepared for contingencies and providing financially viable outcomes.
H I G H L E V E L O F I N T E R P E R S O N A L S K I L L S
Holds a personal and professional belief that “Communication is as much to do with listening and
understanding needs as it is to getting your message across in a concise, no-nonsense, non-
threatening manner. This includes communicating with integrity and being transparent with vital
information, thereby empowering employees, resonating with relevant authorities and satisfying
client and audience needs.”
A B I L I T Y T O W O R K W I T H A L L S T A K E H O L D E R S
Proven history of extensive interaction with clients, committees, exhibitors, delegates, performers,
conductors, musicians, soloists, venue managers, broadcasters, guests, technical staff, F&B
personnel, publicity, press, freight & transport providers, as well as the public.
L E A D E R S H I P T R A I T S & I D E A L S
- Taking responsibility - Showing integrity and behaving ethically
- Sharing knowledge - Working together not “above”
- Being approachable - Practising effective listening skills
- Challenging mindsets - Encouraging solution finding and self development
- Being visible in the workplace - Developing trust and exhibiting consistency
- Recognising and fostering strengths - Giving constructive feedback
- Reporting accurately - Sourcing new and sustainable income streams
- Celebrating success by rewarding staff for successful outcomes
- Inspiring others by providing a sense of vision and strategic thinking
- Motivating others when they communicate vision and demonstrate enthusiasm or optimism
S K I L L S

13. Brad Rush
Programmimg Director, The Arts Centre, Gold Coast
0434 018 510
Greg Wain
Headmaster & CEO, The Southport School
07 5531 9931
Richard & Glenys Gijsbers
Stockdale ACS (Convention Organisers)
Australian Music Association Convention
03 9254 1000
0405 771 377
Professor John Hopkins O.B.E. - Vale
Conductor, former Principal Sydney Conservatorium of Music
03 9682 4680
R E F E R E E S

14. O L W E N R . W I L L I A M S
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C O N T A C T