Develop your on-stage talents with our free seniors' program and learn from the best entertainers in the business.
The Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret is a free program for Brisbane seniors. It offers expert guidance and helps develop creative talents in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Prepare, deliver, succeed - if you can dream it, you can do it!
This year's theme is:
Legends and icons: the people, moments and music that shaped our world.
This theme is a powerful way to celebrate the extraordinary individuals, defining moments and unforgettable music that have shaped generations.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
Through song, music, dance and spoken word, performers bring to life a soundtrack of social change, unity, hope and celebration. The program spans protest anthems and patriotic ballads through to era‑defining classics and contemporary tributes.
Some participants will perform at showcase concerts in September. Selected performers may also appear at the Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret Gala in October at Brisbane City Hall.
Registrations for the Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret 2026 program have now closed.
Registration for 2027 will open in June 2027.
Throughout July and August, participants had the unique opportunity:
Prior to attending the masterclass, participants prepared a short performance item to bring along, which was developed and workshopped with the mentor during the session.
After completing the masterclasses, some participants perform in a showcase. They display singing, dancing, and instrumental skills at venues across Brisbane.
Ashleigh Denning is a dynamic and versatile performer with more than 20 years of live performance experience, known for her vibrant stage presence. She graduated with the Award for Excellence from the Queensland Conservatorium (Bachelor of Musical Theatre, 2016) and later completed a Master of Music Studies (Vocal Pedagogy) in 2021.
A familiar face on the Brisbane music theatre scene, Ashleigh has contributed to new Australian works including Genesis (Metro Arts, 2019) and Don’t Call Me Ishmael: The Musical. She has also performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, including appearances in The Magic Watering Can and as Izzy the Elf in Symphonic Santa.
Ashleigh regularly performs at major events and tours nationally as a guest entertainer, alongside her work as a passionate vocal coach.
Billy discovered his passion for theatre at a young age, performing in productions in the ACT before relocating to Brisbane to study at the Queensland Conservatorium. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Theatre in 2014, winning the Queensland Performing Arts Competition, and made his professional debut the same year with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in QPAC’s Spirit of Christmas.
He has since built an extensive career across major stage productions in Australia and internationally. His credits include The Pirates of Penzance, Candide, and touring productions of Les Misérables and The Book of Mormon, performing over 750 shows across Australia and New Zealand.
Recent highlights include The Last Five Years, Miss Saigon, West Side Story and Sunset Boulevard, alongside creating his own cabaret celebrating Brisbane talent.
David Rogers-Smith is highly regarded as a performer of both classical and operatic repertoire and music theatre.
He has performed in the Australasian touring production of The Phantom of the Opera as Piangi, a role he sang some 1,000 times. He toured Asia and South Africa in the International touring production of Les Misérables and in The Merry Widow opposite Marina Prior and as the Ziegfeld Tenor opposite Caroline O’Connor in Funny Girl.
David Rogers-Smith made his operatic debut in the role of The Slave in the Melbourne Festival’s season of Salome featuring the Kirov Opera. David reprised the role of Piangi in the international touring production of The Phantom of the Opera, bringing his total to over 2,500 performances.
Gregory Moore is a classically influenced popular singer with a rich, expressive voice, performing professionally since his debut at Carols by Candlelight at just five years old. A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, he has built an extensive career across Australia and internationally.
He has performed as a concert soloist with leading orchestras including the Queensland Pops Orchestra, the State Orchestra of Victoria and the Wellington Sinfonia. His stage credits include touring productions of The Pirates of Penzance, performances with The Ten Tenors, and international tours with Scotland the Brave, including at New York’s Lincoln Center.
Gregory is a regular performer at major civic and televised events and also works as a freelance producer and music director.
Joanna is a performer, choreographer and educator with a passion for musical theatre. Internationally, she performed as the Bride of Frankenstein in Universal Studios Singapore’s Monster Rock Show, and has also portrayed Marilyn Monroe and other characters at Movie World.
Her stage credits include Spamalot and Oklahoma! at QPAC, as well as touring productions in the Philippines. Favourite roles include Velma in Chicago and Reno in Anything Goes. She has also appeared on Channel Nine’s children’s show The Shak.
Joanna holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Drama/Dance) and teaches performing arts across all ages. She is passionate about inclusive arts access and brings this into her work as a choreographer and educator.
Mikayla Gedye is a versatile vocalist, performer and live audio professional based in Brisbane, with over 15 years of experience. She has performed at venues across South East Queensland, including The Princess Theatre, GOMA, Brisbane Powerhouse and Valley Fiesta.
A graduate of Queensland University of Technology (Bachelor of Music, 2016), Mikayla has built a dynamic career across both performance and live audio production. Her work includes stage management for BIGSOUND, production roles for Wynnum Fringe and Brisbane City Council’s City Sounds program, and technical delivery for major events such as Woodford Folk Festival.
Mikayla has supported international touring artists including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, and is sound operator and mentor for the Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret program.
Originally from Townsville, Rebecca is a celebrated soprano known for her rich tone and agile top notes, praised by Limelight magazine. A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, she has earned major accolades including the Wagner Prize and the Trinity College London Exhibition Award.
Rebecca performs extensively across opera and concert stages, with highlights including engagements with Opera Queensland and Southern Cross Soloists. She was the inaugural artist selected to relaunch Opera Queensland’s Young Artist program and has served as principal soprano with Underground Opera.
She has appeared as a soloist with leading ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Brisbane Music Festival, and made a national television debut at the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols.
Rebecca is also passionate about sharing her love of music and supporting others to find their voice.
Renae Suttie is a highly experienced performer with a career spanning over 30 years across Australia and internationally. After studying at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the University of Queensland, she performed extensively on the 5-star hotel circuit throughout Asia and the Pacific, including Japan, Hong Kong, the Maldives and Fiji.
A sought-after soloist on the Queensland music scene, Renae regularly performs with ensembles including The Kitty Kats and The Swing Collective. She has performed as a backing vocalist for leading Australian artists, including Ian Moss, Kate Miller-Heidke and Daryl Braithwaite. She has also appeared at major events, including the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols and the NRL Grand Final.
Renae is also an accomplished vocal coach and award-winning educator.
Timothy Sherlock is an Australian choral and handbell conductor, composer and music educator. Following a successful career in education, he now focuses on conducting ensembles, composing choral and handbell works, and presenting workshops and adjudicating competitions across Australia.
He is currently Choirmaster at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), and conductor of both the Children’s Health Queensland Community Choir and Cappella Chorale. From 2012–2015, Timothy was co-director of the official Australian Government choir for the Dawn and Lone Pine services in Gallipoli.
An internationally recognised figure in handbell music, he has conducted at major symposia in Canada and Australia, and has been commissioned to compose for the International Handbell Symposium in Japan.
Vic is an experienced musician with over 35 years in the industry, bringing depth and soul to his performances through his rich Polynesian heritage and strong Māori influences. Beginning his career as a lead guitarist across ensembles, cabaret productions and solo work, he is now widely recognised for his expertise on the ukulele.
A versatile performer and dedicated teacher, Vic maintains a busy schedule across long-term residencies throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast, alongside his teaching work. He is passionate about using music to connect with community, supporting local events, delivering workshops for young people, and running ukulele sessions for elderly and vulnerable groups.
For Vic, music is both a gift and a powerful way to uplift and inspire others.