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Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret

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Develop your on-stage talents with our free seniors' program and learn from the best entertainers in the business.

About the Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret

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!

2026 theme

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:

  • honour legendary artists from around the world alongside iconic figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy
  • global moments such as the first moon landing during Apollo 11 and the cultural revolution symbolised by Woodstock.

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.

Eligibility

The program is open for registration to all Brisbane seniors – from new to experienced performers.

 

 

How to register

Registrations for the Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret 2026 program are now open until Sunday 19 July 2026.

Once you've completed the online registration form, you'll be contacted by Epiphany Productions to finalise your registration.

What's involved

Throughout July and August, you will have the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with top industry professionals in a fun and safe masterclass environment and be guided to perform successfully on stage.

Prior to attending the masterclass, participants will prepare a short performance item to bring along, which will be developed and workshopped with the mentor during the session.

The focus of the Masterclass sessions includes:

  • choirs/vocals groups only sessions
  • soloist, duos, trios
  • comedians, poetry, musicians
  • learning stage craft
  • ukulele and voice
  • dancing only sessions
  • learning a group song and dance item.

Masterclasses morning sessions run from 10am-1pm and afternoon sessions from 1.30-3.30pm

2026 masterclass sessions

  • Monday 20 July 2026 (morning), SunPAC, Sunnybank with Jo Nash
  • Monday 20 July 2026 (afternoon), SunPAC, Sunnybank with Jo Nash
  • Thursday 23 July 2026 (morning), Sandgate Town Hall with David Rogers-Smith
  • Thursday 23 July 2026 (afternoon), Sandgate Town Hall with David Rogers-Smith
  • Wednesday 29 July 2026 (morning), Hamilton Town Hall, Ascot with Ashleigh Denning
  • Thursday 30 July 2026 (morning), Old Museum Building, Bowen Hills with Timothy Sherlock
  • Sunday 2 August 2026 (morning), Wynnum Municipal Hall with Renae Suttie
  • Wednesday 5 August 2026 (morning), Seven Hills Hub with Billy Bourchier
  • Thursday 6 August 2026 (morning), Moorooka Community Centre with Vic Kena
  • Thursday 6 August 2026 (afternoon), Moorooka Community Centre with Vic Kena
  • Tuesday 11 August 2026 (morning), Northgate Hall with Rebecca Cassidy
  • Tuesday 11 August 2026 (afternoon), Northgate Hall with Rebecca Cassidy
  • Wednesday 12 August 2026 (morning), Burnie Brae Community Centre, Chermside with Gregory Moore
  • Wednesday 12 August 2026 (afternoon), Burnie Brae Community Centre, Chermside with Gregory Moore
  • Thursday 13 August 2026 (morning), Toombul Shire Hall, Nundah with Gregory Moore

After completing the masterclasses, some participants perform in a showcase. They display singing, dancing, and instrumental skills at venues across Brisbane.

Showcases run from 11am-12.15pm (unless otherwise stated).

  • Tuesday 1 September 2026, Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
  • Sunday 6 September 2026, Wynnum Municipal Hall
  • Tuesday 8 September 2026, Kedron-Wavell Services Club
  • Wednesday 9 September 2026, Seven Hills Hub
  • Wednesday 16 September 2026, Burnie Brae Community Centre, Chermside
  • Sunday 20 September 2026 (12-1pm), Brisbane City Hall
  • Tuesday 22 September 2026, Sandgate Town Hall
  • Thursday 24 September 2026, Arana Leagues Club, Keperra
  • Sunday 11 October 2026 (12-1pm), Queen Street Mall stage, Brisbane CBD

Meet the mentors

An image of Ashleigh Denning walking a path beside the water.

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.

A landscape portrait of Gregory Moore with a brick wall background.

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.

A headshot of Jo Nash on a magenta background.

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 playing guitar and singing at an event.

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.

A landscape portrait of Renee Suttie on a white background.

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 also worked as a backing vocalist for leading Australian artists including Ian Moss, Kate Miller-Heidke and Daryl Braithwaite, and has appeared at major events such as the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols and the NRL Grand Final.

Renae is also an accomplished vocal coach and award-winning educator.

A black and white portrait image of Timothy Sherlock dressed in suit and tie.

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.

Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret Gala

The Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret Gala: Legends and Icons will be held on Sunday 25 October 2026 at 3pm at Brisbane City Hall.

This special event will include performances by the experts, as well as some of the participants from this year’s program.

Tickets will go on sale in late September.