LYRIC BOARD
Matt Thomas - Chair
Alumnus of the Sydney Conservatorium, Matt has been a principal artist with Victorian Opera, Melbourne Opera, Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, Chambermade, Tokyo Experimental Opera and the Lyric Opera of Melbourne. Matt also completed studies in Advertising and Art History and has held a variety of roles in arts marketing and arts administration. In his early career he sat on a number of arts company boards as well as the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council, for which he was recognised as the 2005 ACT Recipient of the Young Australian of the Year Awards.
Matt is now Managing Partner Corporate and Public Affairs at Red Havas Australia.
Juel Riggall - Secretary
Paul Biencourt - Treasurer
Suzanne Chaundy
Suzanne is a freelance opera and theatre director and Director of the Richard Divall Emerging Artists Programme. A University of Melbourne graduate and NIDA trained, her career spans opera, text-based theatre and outdoor spectacle. Suzanne is passionate about good governance. Lyric is her fifth arts related board appointment. Prior to Lyric, she was Chair of Theatre Works. Suzanne has directed two productions for Lyric and runs regular opera directing workshops.
Katelyn B
Having trained in the Technical Theatre and Production. Katelyn has spent the last 20 years in Production, Venues & Logistical Management for Live performances and Events. She is now expanding her skill set into inclusivity, with additional studies in Disability support.
Miki Oikawa
Miki has crossed over many areas in the arts over the years from a dancer to actor, producer and director. With a day job as a Product Owner specialising in identity verification, Miki is also a marriage celebrant and a yoga teacher / movement consultant, focusing on the specific needs of singers. Miki is President of The Richard Wagner Society of Victoria, board chair of IDPro and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Bridie Kibby
Bridie re-joined the Lyric board in 2019 having previously served between 2015 and 2017. Bridie is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and has performed with Lyric on several occasions. Professionally, Bridie has a background in HR and Project Management, currently works as a Technology Project Manager for Specsavers Australia and is a mother of two.
Leah Phillips
Leah Phillips is a graduate of Melbourne University and Monash University and has performed with many of Melbourne’s opera companies, including Melbourne Opera, Lyric Opera, Victorian Opera and Australian Contemporary Opera Company. Outside of performing, Leah is an in-demand freelance digital marketing specialist and is currently the Digital Marketing Manager at Musica Viva Australia.