Speakers Unveiled: Visual Arts Pathways to Elite Universities

Michael has had a long international career as an actor, singer, dancer and director in mainstream commercial theatre and now utilises his skills, knowledge and academic background to educate the next generation of students and performers. Michael was educated at the Victorian College of the Arts and the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, Australia, and later at Bath Spa University (Cert. Ed.) and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in the UK, where he completed his Master’s Degree in Contemporary Theatre Practice. Michael has previously held positions as Artistic Director of the Wessex Academy of Performing Arts UK (Weston College/Bath Spa University), where he ran BTEC and Degree programmes (BA Hons) in Music Theatre and Acting and at the British International School of Jakarta in Indonesia where he was Director of Performing Arts.

Kelly has 15 years of extensive experience in education, having worked in the UK, Shanghai and Oman. Throughout her career, she has led art and design technology departments, demonstrating her expertise and leadership in these areas. Her dedication to fostering pupils’ understanding and appreciation of art is evident not only in the curriculum she delivers but also through organising exhibition visits and collaborations with local artists. 

Kelly holds an honours degree in Fine Art from the Birmingham School of Art, where she specialised in painting and drawing. Her academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to both artistic practice and education, shaping her into a versatile and passionate educator.

Joshua has worked in education for more than 20 years, starting in the United States and then since 2007 in China. In that time he has worked with pupils from Grade 5 to university level and beyond in a wide variety of roles: social studies and TOK teacher, English instructor, test prep tutor, after school activities director, CAS coordinator and college counsellor. It is in university guidance that he found his true professional calling. Joshua completed his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia (UVA), where he pursued an interdisciplinary degree in international relations and religious studies. He later received his Masters in Teaching from National Louis University, where he focused on secondary social studies education. More recently, he completed a post-graduate certificate in college counselling from the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA). 

Event Details