Assistant Conductors
Queensland Wind and Brass have a number of Assistant Conductors who support the band at various concerts and rehearsals.
Elissa Higgins
Elissa graduated from the QUT with a Bachelor of Music in 2004. She also holds an LMusA and AMusA diploma in piano performance and an ATMusA in piano teaching. Elissa has studied piano under Max Olding, Joyce Skelton and Mitchell Leigh and has also completed the Queensland Conservatorium’s Conducting Summer School with Ralph Hultgren and Peter Morris. She is currently studying flute under Janine Grantham.
Elissa currently teaches piano and flute privately from her home studio, and also teaches at St John Fisher College. She is frequently invited to tutor flute and clarinet at primary school music camps throughout Brisbane and conducts regularly at the Albany Creek Cluster music camps. She has recently become the musical director of the Aspley East State School Marching Band.
Elissa has been a member of Queensland Wind and Brass since 2002 playing bass clarinet. She has also been a featured soloist on piano and has served QWAB as Secretary.
Adam Pittard
Adam has spent over half of his life dedicated to community music. Adam holds a bachelor of laws and international business from Bond University, and most recently a graduate certificate in Music Studies from the Queensland Conservatorium. Adam is due to complete his Masters of Music Studies (conducting) in 2020.
Additionally, Adam has achieved an AMEB Grade 7 in clarinet under the tutelage of Nick Burrell, an ANZCA Diploma of Performance on piano under Joanne Byrnes, and is currently studying voice under Antonia Breen
Adam is the Musical Director of the South East Queensland Symphonic Winds (since 2004), principal tenor sax with the South East Queensland Big Band, principal percussionist with the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra, and the current (2019) musical theatre champion in the Queensland Eisteddfod (voice).
Adam has acted as a guest conductor for the Second Wind Concert Band and the Gold Coast-based Hinterland Community Band on occasion.
Adam has been a member of QWAB since 2007, commencing on tenor sax and currently playing clarinet.