Dr. Martin Hardy
NBPV Director

Dr. Martin Hardy is a music educator and professional musician based in Sydney, Australia. As a conductor he has worked with many of the country’s finest ensembles and has worked with junior beginner ensembles through to professional ensembles. Dr Hardy is also an active professional trombonist having worked in a variety of musical genres from small jazz ensembles to symphony orchestras.

Martin has had extensive experience as a music educator both on and off the podium. Some of his achievements include instigating numerous school instrumental programs on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, being a long term music teacher at Pittwater High School, working as a Senior Education Officer with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training and lecturing at tertiary level in Instrumental Conducting, Instrumental Education Philosophy and Instrumental Pedagogy. Martin’s commitment to teaching music was recognised when he received the New South Wales Education Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Currently, Dr Hardy is Head Teacher of Creative and Performing Arts at Pittwater High School, Musical Director of The Sydney Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, The Northern Beaches Orchestra and The Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival. Dr Hardy has written three books relating to Instrumental Music Education and the History of the Australian Wind Band. He regularly adjudicates instrumental festivals, guest conducts ensembles and provides instrumental workshops for both students and teachers.

Jennifer Power
NBPV Director

Jennifer’s musical journey began at her local primary school on recorder at the age of 7. She then went on to join her school band on clarinet under the tutelage of Helen Oberg and the baton of the late Darryl Mann, later performing in state wide band competitions, music camps, and on international tours. Jennifer successfully graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.

As a passionate and experienced music educator, Jennifer has conducted concert bands, jazz ensembles, string ensembles, recorder groups, choirs and a variety of instrumental ensembles at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Jennifer has been involved in the inner workings of State music camps over the years, moving from tutor, to co-ordinator, and most recently conductor. Outside of her school commitments, she has also been involved in many other ensembles, including clarinet tutor for Arts Unit ensemble “Symphonic Wind Orchestra”. Jennifer is the founder and director of the Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band who are the current National Open B Grade Champions.

As a player she is a member of Geoff Power’s Great Gatsby Orchestra, the Northside Big Band, as well as the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble. She performs regularly at jazz festivals and clubs around New South Wales as well as competing in State and National band championships. Jennifer has recorded with both concert band and jazz orchestras, her most recent being “Shake That Thing” with Geoff Power’s Great Gatsby Orchestra.

Jennifer has studied conducting with leading nationally and internationally recognised conductors including; Stephen Williams, Jerry Nowak, Dr. John Lynch, Dr. Martin Hardy, Dr. Steven Capaldo and Prof. Larry Curtis, participating in courses and conferences in Australia and overseas. Jennifer is the specialist music teacher at Narrabeen Lake Public School as well directing the Concert Band, Training Band, Recorder Ensemble and choirs, and the Conductor of the Concert Band at Cammeragyal High School.