Suzi Stengel, a soprano of international acclaim from Rome, Italy, was raised in South Africa and now calls Australia home. This means she has an Italian temperament, a South African accent and a Masters of Music, obtained in Sydney, Australia. In Durban Suzi's musical journey began with the KZNPO (KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra), performing in Berlioz's "Le Nuit D'ete," marking the onset of her career.

Her talent quickly gained her recognition, leading to numerous guest soloist engagements with the KZNPO. Suzi's passion for solo performance saw her captivating audiences through solo recitals hosted by the Friends of Music and Not the Grahamstown Festival, alongside a number of appearances with the Baroque 2000 Orchestra and The Early Music Ensemble.

In Sydney, she collaborated with the Hourglass Ensemble in programs like 'Hourglass Beach' and 'Danzas Amarosas' at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Recital Centre. Additionally, she performed as Mimi in 'La Boheme a piacere' at The Independent Theatre in Sydney. She has performed regularly at The Art Gallery of NSW, St Andrews and St Stephens in their lunchtime recital series, and throughout Sydney and the Central Coast as a solo recitalist.

Suzi's repertoire extends to paying tribute to history, with her participation in the "Salute to the Anzacs" Concert with Coast Opera Australia at the Central Coast Stadium. In 2022 and 2024, in a return to her roots, Suzi celebrated her 'home-coming' with recitals in Durban, accompanied by Dr Andrew Warburton. She continues the legacy of enchanting performances on both national and international stages.


Bradley Gilchrist completed undergraduate piano studies in Perth and post-graduate studies in piano accompaniment and piano performance in Sydney and Madrid.  Bradley is and in-demand accompanist, chamber musician and vocal coach based in Sydney.  Bradley has been a concerto soloist with the Slovakia Philharmonic and the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestras and has given numerous solo and chamber music recitals across Australia and New Zealand and in South Korea, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. Bradley has broadcast for the ABC Young Australia programme, ABC Classic FM, Radio National and Fine Music FM.

Bradley enjoys chamber music and has performed in a variety of ensembles, particularly in flute and piano and piano trio repertoire. As repetiteur, Bradley’s early experience in ballet repertoire extended to opera and he has been repetiteur and pianist for WA Opera, Opera Australia as well as many chamber and emerging opera companies. Bradley has also worked in musical theatre and cabaret, as a pit musician, vocal coach and musical director.

Bradley leads a busy life as a freelance accompanist and vocal coach for auditions, recitals, recordings, broadcasts and concert performances. 

Bradley is very interested in participating in music making in community settings and has always directed and participated in community theatre and choral groups. He is the conductor of Canada Bay Community choir but is sought after as a guest conductor and accompanist for many other groups.

Bradley works extensively as a mentor for young vocal and instrumentalArtists. He has until very recently held the positions of Music Director of the Young Artist Programme at Pacific Opera and Music Director at Australia’s oldest Music Club, Music at Manly.

Monique O'Dea studied violin at the Adelaide Conservatorium with Beryl Kimber and subsequently won a scholarship to study in Vienna where she met her husband, Sydney violinist Michael O'Dea. After their time in Vienna, Monique and Michael moved to London for further studies and by this time, Monique had changed to the viola, something that had been in the back of her mind for a long time. She was appointed Principal Viola of the Peterborough String Orchestra.

After returning to Australia, Monique was appointed Co-Principal Viola of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. It was at this time that she first met Paul Dyer who was playing harpsichord with the orchestra. They became firm friends on a bus to Canberra.

Paul invited Monique to join his newly formed Australian Brandenburg Orchestra as Principal Viola. She has been a member of the Brandenburg since the very first concert at Sydney Opera House in 1990.



Ray Lemond studied piano at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester UK & at Trinity College of Music London.

Arriving in Australia in 1990, he became active in Sydney's Musical Theatre scene as Musical Director and in 2001 began working on luxury Cruise Ships as MD for the theatre band.

He now is engaged to perform on Cunard's fleet of elegant liners (where he met Monique!) as Solo Classical artist offering classical concerts to the guests onboard.

Ray & Monique are delighted to be performing for you in the beautiful setting of St Stephens, Sydney.