About Julee-anne Bell

Soprano, Julee-anne Bell ne van der Boor, received a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) in 1993 from the University of Queensland where she studied voice under Margaret Nickson.  Since then she has worked with various groups both as a soloist and as a choir member.  These groups include: the Cantilena singers, with whom she performed as the soloist in Bach’s “B minor Mass” and “Magnificate” and Purcell’s “Ode to Saint Cecilia”, Canticum Novum and Concentus.  Julee-anne has also performed in several “Young Artist” and “Music at Midday” concerts organised by the Brisbane City Council.

In 1994 she was the musical director of a seven piece vocal ensemble comprising people with disabilities and able bodied singers, who performed to much public acclaim throughout Brisbane.  This was the same year that Julee-anne became the recipient of the Channel 10 Young Achiever of the Year Award in the category of Arts.  She has worked extensively in jazz and contemporary music and performed in the IHOS Opera and Access Arts production of “The Divine Kiss” at the Energex Brisbane Festival in 1998.  Following this success she has worked with various contemporary groups including the Queensland based Ensemble “Six”.

In 1999 Julee-anne travelled to Hobart to perform in a newly developed repeat season of “The Divine Kiss” in which her role was significantly increased to become the principal part.  In 2000, Julee-anne received a grant from the Australia Council to undertake a program of mentorship and performance in IHOS Opera.  This culminated in the presentation of a new chamber opera entitled “Spirits of the Hoist”.  In 2001 Julee-anne was in the chorus of Opera Queensland’s production of “The Magic Flute”.  Julee-anne continued to perform with Opera Queensland in various concerts and productions until the end of 2007 when she chose to take a break to focus on her teaching.

Julee-anne also continued to develop her relationship with IHOS Opera.  She travelled to Hobart regularly to participate in various new productions, including “Schwa – The Neutral Vowel”, which is a chamber opera dealing with the intricacies of the human voice.  Julee-anne also gave vocal lessons and master classes as part of her work with the IHOS Music Theatre Laboratory. In November 2003, she also had the honour of being the Australian representative at the “7th Wataboshi Asia Pacific Music Festival” premiering “Hetrophony” a new piece co-created with IHOS Opera’s Constantine Koukias.

In 2004, Julee-anne received her Masters in Music Studies, majoring in choral conducting and advanced aural skills. She has worked in both the public and private education sector as a voice teacher and choral conductor, establishing several vocal ensembles at new private schools. She has established a private vocal studio where she teaches approximately 35 students from prep to adulthood to sing. She performs at various functions around Brisbane when required.