Karen Bouyer, Simon Brown

Conductor / Leader

Karen Bouyer Karen Bouyer is an experienced music educator based in Melbourne, Australia, with a career spanning over 37 years. Holding degrees from The University of Tasmania and Victoria College in Melbourne, Karen has dedicated her life to fostering a love for music in young people. Currently serving as the Head of Woodwind at Caulfield Grammar School, Karen leads a team of eleven woodwind specialists, overseeing the development of students across a variety of musical disciplines. In addition to her instrumental teaching, Karen conducts the school's Wind Ensemble, junior concert band, and junior jazz ensemble, providing students with a range of performance opportunities. Known for her commitment to young learners, Karen takes great pride in her role as an educator, particularly in her work with children. She is passionate about the power of inclusive education and the pivotal role music plays in fostering friendships, building a sense of community, and promoting lifelong learning. Karen's dedication to her craft and her students has made her a respected figure in the music education community, and she continues to inspire the next generation of musicians. Simon Brown Simon holds degrees from the University of Melbourne and the University of Tasmania and has primarily studied conducting with Rob McWilliams, Monte Mumford, also briefly with Richard Gill OA, Graham Abbott and Craig Kirchhoff. In a career spanning over 38 years he is currently the Head of Brass at Caulfield Grammar School, a position he has held for the past 21 years. At Caulfield, he teaches trumpet and conducts wind bands and a stage band. At tertiary level, Simon teaches Conducting and Second Instrument Brass Pedagogy at the University of Melbourne, Conservatorium of Music. He has directed various Wind Ensembles, which have toured nationally and internationally. He has given lectures for the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) and has been a Conducting Mentor/Tutor for the students of the ABODA Victoria Summer Conducting School. As an adjudicator, Simon has worked for many festivals and other competitions, including state and national levels for the Victorian State and Australian National Brass Band Championships. Simon is also the Musical Director of the Box Hill City Brass Band.