Norma Knight

From involvement with the Brisbane Children's Theatre from the age of 7, through 5years professional employment with The State Opera of South Australia, and many, many roles in amateur theatre, Norma's whole life has been about music and theatre. For the past 30 years she has been a private singing teacher and was responsible for setting up the SA Chapter of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing. She was for several years Deputy President of the National Council of ANATS and at the present time is the Treasurer for SA. She currently examines for the AMEB and has adjudicated Eisteddfodau in Geelong, Bendigo, Balaklava and Diamond Valley.

Classically trained, Norma has developed her technique to facilitate singing and teaching many styles of music by continuous study of the latest in scientific research and understanding of the voice. Her students range in age from 13 to 82 and sing everything from Beatles to Bach and almost everything in between.

Her favourite role is Anna in The Merry Widow which she performed in Adelaide and Brisbane. Operetta is the style that suited her voice and personality to perfection, although she also won critical acclaim for Oratorio and Lieder performances.

Recent stage appearances were as Venus in "Orpheus in the Underworld" and Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother in "Into the Woods" with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of SA.

Trace Canini

Trace Canini is an exception to every musical rule. Her passion, pure talent and adaptability, make her an asset to any musical endeavour. Known as 'The Diva', by her peers, she has the soul to rise to any musical occasion be it jazz, gospel, r n' b, funk/soul, rock. Trace performs with style and class.

Trace's life was immersed in entertainment from a very young age. Trace commenced her career as a dancer at 4 years of age under the watchful eye of her dance teacher, the late Patti Bawden. Patti discovered Trace had a powerful, naturally pleasant tone to her voice and from that point on she encouraged Trace to start lessons with William Harrison.

Trace 'fell in love' with singing. It consumed her whole life and whilst studying many instruments (and as she claims, the master of none!) singing was her true love. Since then, Trace has sung in school rock bands, the 'Rock Mass' with Sr.Janet Mead, piano bars to the early morning clubs, big bands, recorded radio jingles, sung the National Anthem at various events, performed in theatre production and worked on television. She is also a holistic Voice Coach and has also been a guest vocal instructor in Los Angeles, USA. Canini has established herself as a respected, talented artist and instructor.

Trace recently toured Australia as a special guest artist in Andy Seymour's THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ELVIS. She performs at selected festivals/events with her jazz outfit, Trace Canini and the Smooth Meltdown and had the pleasure of performing at the end of 2007 with Paulini, Doug Parkinson and James Morrison and the ASO in the world premiere of the Gospel Messiah.

Trace has also performed with the Harlem Gospel Choir and was fortunate to appear at the world-renown "Cotton Club" doing Gospel. Whilst in the States, Trace added another highlight to her career, singing funk in Hollywood's 'Coconut Teaser' nightclub.

Trace loves performing, teaching, helping others and has developed a love for public speaking -using her skills to motivate others. She is a favourite amongst her peers and audiences alike. Her audience are drawn to her sincerity and intense love and genuine passion of her craft.

September/October of 2009 has seen Trace venture overseas to Paris and London to open up her passion of music, to include Reggae. She recorded in Paris on an album with African /French djembe player -Fulgence Compaore, sang (recorded) a children's nursery rhyme in French and also connected in London with a famous producer/performer in the Reggae Industry along with another talented new artist, currently releasing his own album, with whom Trace will record with in the near future. Overseas has bought even more experience and exposure to languages and cultures, therefore broadening her appeal yet again and her genuine sincerity to reach all people around the Globe, musically.

"Watching Trace perform awakens something deep in your soul. You're stirred by her big, bold and beautiful voice, and fall in love with her funky style and flamboyant personality. Trace exudes musicality and a passion for emotionally uplifting songs. When the performance has unfortunately come to an end you feel energized and alive."

Mikyla Gilbert, Publishing Editor, Adelaide Hills Magazine

Past Adjudicators

Lucas de Jong 2010	Susan-Ann Walker 2009	Patrick Lim 2008
Tracy Bourne 2007	Jonathon Welch 2006	Guila Tiver 2006
Trace Canini 2006	Pauiline Jamieson-Harris 2005	Keith Hempton 2005
Thomas Edmonds 2004