In profile: Dr Tracy Bourne

Dr Tracy Bourne, Director of Voice

What do you like best about your current role?
I really enjoy working with singers to find their free-est and most confident sound. There’s nothing like standing in front of a group of singers belting out Bohemian Rhapsody or watching the Warblers (K–2) sing and act out Rocket Ship in front of their friends.

I think that singing is so good for everyone’s wellbeing and is a great way to let off steam when things are getting stressful because of workload or social pressures. I feel lucky to have a job and a career where I get to do what I love with enthusiastic young people.

Can you tell us about your role and current projects?
I conduct two of the Secondary School choirs and support the conductors and accompanists for the other choirs in the school. Each year is bookended by the Foundation Concert at the end of Term 1 and Carols at the end of the year. These are beautiful events where the students impress me with their voices and their musicianship.

I do what I can to encourage young singers to step outside of their ‘comfort zone’ and make a sound, as well as giving them an understanding of their voice and how it works. This was difficult during COVID and I think we are still feeling the effect of wearing masks and not being allowed to sing in groups.

What did you do before joining the Radford community?
I have worked as a professional singer and actor alongside my career as a freelance singing teacher. I have taught singers of all stripes: children and adults who sing for a hobby as well as pre-professional musical theatre performers. I taught at Federation University (Ballarat) for about 10 years and many of my past students are now working on some of the big musicals in Australia as well as freelancing on cruise ships and other corporate events. I try to keep my creative practice going alongside my (part-time) Radford role and occasionally work as a director and performer.

What do you enjoy outside Radford?
I enjoy reading, knitting and catching up with my adult children. Each Christmas I bake an Australian-themed cake – you can see how proud I am in this picture, below!

Now that my kids have left home I’m trying to get fitter – I’m currently attempting to train for a 21k race in September!