Andy Pobjoy – Class of 1998

Performance, Entrepreneurship and Community

“My time at Christian College Geelong was foundational to the musician I’ve become. The encouragement to explore every facet of music—from performing to arranging—combined with leadership opportunities in the music program, gave me the skills and confidence to pursue a 25-year career in the industry. I’m deeply grateful to Fiona Gardner, Andrew Dunlop, all the wonderful Music staff, Daryl Riddle, and the College leadership for their unwavering commitment to nurturing young musicians.”

Andy Pobjoy has been entertaining audiences all over the world for many years with his unique blend of musical talent, storytelling and humour.  

As a student, he was a multi-instrumentalist who performed extensively in the College ensemble program. In 2010, Andy completed the Diploma of Jazz Studies at The Gordon and he enjoys every aspect of the music business: whether it be arranging and performing or organising and promoting live music events in our region.

He is well known around the Geelong music scene as founder and owner of Piano Bar Geelong, which he opened in 2015. But he is also known much further afield – having performed on six continents, working at corporate events and festivals, as well as presenting his headline multi-instrumental show over 100 times on international cruise lines. Andy has also had a recent foray into live radio, co-hosting the Morning Crew on Geelong’s Bay 93.9.

Isaac Barter – Class of 2000

Music Producer, Performance and Education

“Christian College and its dedicated and caring staff have profoundly impacted my musical journey and growth as an educator. Receiving recognition from them is a great honour.”

Isaac Barter is a prolific music producer with a depth of musical experience and an ability to work effectively with a broad range of performers and songwriters. Recent and ongoing projects include work for artists as varied as Alex The Astronaut, Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Angie McMahon, The Voice finalist Stellar Perry, Valerie June, The Davidson Brothers, Ro, Jordie Lane and Yirrmal for SBS, The Maes, Will Hyde, Didirri, Marcia Howard, Lanks, Mick Flannery, Australian Youth Choir, Aisha Dee, Georgie Coghlan, Rose Bygrave, Nigel Wearne, Susan O’Neill, Sal Kimber, Luke Biscan, Canary and many more. 

Isaac also has extensive experience as a touring musician on electric bass, double bass, drums, guitar and keys. He has performed with many artists, including Vance Joy and Guy Sebastian.

He has also collaborated extensively with artists and producers from across Australia and overseas, including Grammy and Aria winning producers like Joe Chiccarelli and Dann Hume.

Isaac is deeply connected in the Victorian music community working with The Pulse community radio, teaching and giving presentations for The Gordon, Diversitat and other organisations, working with community orchestras and choirs, such as The Geelong Summer Music Camp and Bay City Strings. He has extensive experience teaching music and production in this region, including at our College, and has been a member of judging panels, including Folk Alliance International’s Australian branch and The Age Music Awards.

Jonathan Hoevenaars – Class of 2004

Sports Producer and Presenter

“I was very surprised to be included as an inaugural inductee to the CCG Music Hall of Honour. There are many talented musicians who’ve come through Christian College, so be recognised alongside them as an amateur musician who works elsewhere in the entertainment industry is flattering. I owe a great deal to the dedicated Music Faculty staff members who helped spark my passion for performance, and I recognise their significant contribution to my life and lives of thousands of other past students.”

Jon Hoevenaars is no stranger to the stage or microphone. During his six years at the College, Jon honed his musical skills on French horn (at the behest of Andrew Dunlop), performing with the Middle School Concert Band (1999-2001) and the Senior Wind Symphony (2001-04). He was also a foundation member of the Senior Boys Choir, affectionately known as Boys II Blokes.

During his time at Senior School, Jon oversaw the introduction of pre-match ceremonies and in-game music production during house sports carnivals – a legacy that has carried on through the ever-popular Senior School synchronised swimming competition. 

Jon holds an honours degree in Professional Communication from RMIT University, the foundation of an 18-year career built on captivating audiences. Today, he works as a Senior Producer for Tennis Australia during the week, and moonlights as the Voice of the ‘G for the AFL on the weekends, lending his vocal cords to some of Australia’s biggest sporting occasions.

A seasoned MC, Jon has compered events at the MCG, Marvel Stadium, Rod Laver Arena, Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena and Perth’s RAC Arena. Along the way, he’s interviewed some of the biggest names in world tennis, including Rod Laver, Billie Jean King, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Naomi Osaka.

Away from the stadium scene, Jon still dabbles in music as a keyboardist and vocalist for functions band The Groovesmen, and serves as a musician at Inner West Church in Flemington.

Kym Dillon – Class of 2007

Performance, Composition, Presenter and Community

Website: kymdillon.com

“It’s very special to be included as part of the Performance and Music Industry Hall of Honour; out of this school has come some of the most versatile, dedicated, genuine musicians around — not just performers but audio engineers, composers, conductors, music therapists, and more, so many of whom I have the honour of calling friends. Being a part of this great gallery of artists, is something I am very proud of, and I hope the tradition keeps up for generations to come! ”

Kym Alexandra Dillon is an award-winning composer, pianist, and presenter across a broad spectrum of genres and contexts, from contemporary classical composition, orchestration and arranging, through to jazz performance, accompanying, community choir leading and speaking about music.  

She completed a Bachelor of Music Performance Honours in composition at the Victorian College of the Arts in 2012, studying under such teachers as Anthony Lyons, Christine McCombe, Mark Pollard, and John McCaughey. She received the ‘Beleura Sir George Tallis Award’ from the ‘Friends of the VCA’ in 2009; and the ‘Beleura John Tallis Award’ in 2010. She composed and performed two original jazz works for the 2009 VCA Improvisation Series, for which her ensemble won the ‘Athanaeum Prize’.

In 2023 she completed her Masters of Composition at the University of Melbourne, under supervisors Elliott Gyger and Melody Eötvös, receiving first class honours. During the course she was awarded the ‘Completion Scholarship’ enabling her to stage a performance of her large-scale song cycle Diapsalmata: Portrait of a Self. She was also awarded the Melbourne Recital Centre/Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Composition Award for 2024. 

Kym has had original works commissioned by such groups as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Astra Chamber Music Society, Musica Viva, Australian Youth Orchestra, HOMOPHONIC, Melbourne Recital Centre, Forest Collective, and Inventi Ensemble; and her music has been performed in Australia, Canada, the U.K., North America, Romania and Italy. In 2022 she was named the inaugural ‘Continuo Composer’ by the Continuo Commissioning Circle, enabling her to compose a new, extensive work for the exciting prog-baroque ensemble Croissants & Whiskey.  That same year, she premiered her largest work to date, the song cycle Diapsalmata: Portrait of a Self, with baritone Stephen Marsh and Forest Collective, a piece which was nominated as a finalist for the prestigious ‘Work of the Year – Large Ensemble’ category in the national APRA-AMCOS Art Music Awards 2023, alongside works by Liza Lim and Paul Dean. The piece sets a collection of passages from philosopher Søren Kierkegaard to tell Kym’s own story of unearthing identity and personhood. Reviewer, Myron My from mymelbournearts.com wrote: “Dillon’s skill at bringing highly complex thoughts through classical music, opera and philosophy so seamlessly together is ingenious.”  

Kym often performs in her own chamber works, such as her Sonata for Piano (2019), and Sonata for Flute and Piano (2021), but also regularly in jazz/contemporary contexts. At 2022’s National Liederfest she was awarded ‘best accompanist in the finals’ for her work accompanying soprano Miriam Whiting-Reilly. She has toured with artists including Simon Gleeson and Natalie O’Donnell, Gorgi Coghlan, Ian Stenlake, Anna-Lee Robertson, and The Voice season 2 winner Harrison Craig. She has performed on piano as part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival and regularly appears with the Georgia Brooks Swingtet, who revitalise classic swing-era jazz tunes and perform widely, including at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.  

Kym is also a conductor for the charity Creativity Australia’s ‘With One Voice’ program and has presented multiple pre-concert talks for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. She has also worked as a guest presenter on ABC Classic’s Night Music program.  

Lucy Riddett – Class of 2011

Performance and Entrepreneur

Website: lucyriddett.com

“Music has always been a deep passion of mine and I’m incredibly grateful to have built a career doing what I love. I owe so much to the dedicated teachers at Christian College whose guidance made this journey possible, and it’s a true honour to be recognised in this way.”

Lucy Riddett is a professional accordionist, educator, and performer. Lucy’s early musical journey began at Christian College Geelong with piano lessons under the guidance of the beloved Regina Thomae, and playing viola in the Senior String Orchestra.

In her teens, Lucy became infatuated with the sound of the accordion after listening to Yann Tiersen’s musical score for the French Film ‘Amelie’. But it wasn’t until after high school that she really became captivated by its rich, expressive sound to the point where she bought her first instrument, taught herself and discovered the accordion was her true musical calling. She began busking during her university years while completing a Bachelor of Psychology, and what started as a hobby quickly evolved into a vibrant international career.

Over the past 11 years, Lucy’s journey has taken her from street performances through to gigs at local cafes, restaurants, breweries, festivals and private events, to playing accordion on multiple television programs. She now teaches students around the world through her online accordion school, is actively involved in hosting accordion festivals in Melbourne, and is sponsored by renowned accordion brands overseas. 

Lucy performs solo at festivals, markets, weddings, and private events, and is also a member of several Irish bands, bringing her passion for traditional music to life on stage. Her journey reflects not only her deep love for the accordion but her commitment to sharing its magic with audiences everywhere. 

Alex Jeantou – Class of 2015

Classical Performance

“I am thankful for the recognition of my work and am proud to represent Christian College. This recognition is a reflection of the truly life-changing work carried out by Andrew Dunlop and Fiona Gardner, and all Music Faculty staff, who have helped not only me, but thousands of other children find joy in life through music over many years. Thanks to them, I am grateful to live my dream every day.”

Alexander Jeantou is a tubist whose musical passion began at Christian College Geelong’s Bellarine Campus, in Drysdale. Teachers Andrew Dunlop, Stewart Armitage and Paul Gunning nurtured his musical interest through concert bands and chamber music as a tubist, and big bands as a tenor and bass trombonist. As a soloist, he has had success in various Victorian competitions, as well as winning first prize in the regional division of the Australian Youth Classical Music Competition in 2014. 

In 2020, Alexander completed a Bachelor of Music with first class honours from The University of Melbourne under the tutelage of Timothy Buzbee. During his time there he received the 2016 Bachelor of Music Scholarship, Donald William Thornton Bequest, and Frank Barzyk brass award. 

A keen chamber musician, Alexander is a member of the Australian Tuba Quartet and the well-decorated Maverick Brass Quintet. Maverick received the Athenaeum prize, University of Melbourne chamber music competition first prize, and third prize at the 2019 Jeju International Brass Quintet competition. They were privileged fellows at Yale’s 2017 and 2018 Norfolk Chamber Music Festivals in Norfolk, Connecticut.

Since 2021, Alexander has played in the Auckland Philharmonia Principal Brass Quintet, an ensemble that performs fun and educational concerts to schools and communities around greater Auckland. He has also played with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra during that time, and in 2023 successfully auditioned as its permanent tubist. The Auckland Philharmonia is the leading arts organisation of New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant city, who perform more than 60 concerts a year as a full orchestra and support the Royal New Zealand Ballet and New Zealand Opera.

Other orchestras in which Alexander has also played regularly include the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and Victorian Opera.

Bailey Lake – Class of 2018

Performance and Community

“It is a great privilege to be recognised in the Christian College Hall of Honour. I often pinch myself at how fortunate I have been in receiving an education from Christian College. It has helped shape me not only as a musician but as a person and I am extremely grateful for the community of staff for sharing their passion of music with me.”

Bailey Lake began playing the cornet at age 12 in the Geelong Salvation Army Brass Band. Shortly after that, he started trumpet lessons at Geelong High School and received a scholarship at age 15 to attend Christian College Geelong, which included a performance tour of Hawaii.

Bailey also successfully auditioned into the Salvation Army Territorial Youth Band at age 16 and toured across Australia, the UK, and the US, highlighted by performances at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Rose Bowl Parade, and an NBA game in Los Angeles. 

At Christian College, Bailey performed with the Senior Wind Symphony and Senior Concert Band. He accelerated his music studies, completing VCE Group Music in Year 11 and Solo Performance on trumpet in Year 12.

From 2018 to 2022, Bailey was a member of the Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band, touring across Australia and to New Zealand. After completing his Christian College education, he then successfully auditioned for the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne, where he completed a Bachelor of Music, majoring in performance and minoring in baroque trumpet. 

Since 2021, Bailey has served as a musician in the Australian Army, performing ceremonial duties including bugle calls at the MCG, Marvel Stadium, and the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Bailey also enjoys playing in local theatre pit orchestras, with credits including Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Billy Elliot.