TDP Team
Anne Fitzgerald, MBA GAICD
Chief Executive Officer
Anne Fitzgerald was appointed the TDP Chief Executive Officer in mid 2020 after having served 15 years on the Board. Anne is a passionate believer in creating an artistic and professional environment within the TDP that inspires, nurtures and expands on the creative talent of select students from NSW Government high schools so that they may pursue a professional career in the performing arts.
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Anne is also a senior executive & board director with leadership, sales & marketing, community engagement and customer service experience across a number of industries, most recently having served as Executive Manager, Member Services at ClubsNSW. ClubsNSW, representing some 1,100 NSW clubs, has been a major partner of the TDP for many years, along with the NSW Government. Anne has been instrumental in supporting the performances of many young people in clubs and further afield so that confidence, resilience and remarkable talent can be built upon and discovered. Having worked in the NFP, commercial and government sectors, Anne also has considerable experience in developing strategy and building collaborative relationships.
Anne is an experienced youth mentor and coach, an accredited mediator and also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets (YOTS).
Peter Cousens, AM
Artistic Director
Artistic Director, Peter Cousens, has vast experience in music and theatre as an award-winning actor and singer as well as a producer, director and teacher/trainer of actors and singers. Peter is the Artistic Ambassador for Central Queensland University’s Conservatorium of Music and recently completed his Master of Arts – a research thesis on adapting the creative process of an actor to the art of writing. Peter was the Founder and Artistic Director of Kookaburra the National Musical Theatre Company and is a graduate of NIDA.
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Peter performed alongside Russell Crowe in Blood Brothers and the late Richard Harris in Camelot and starred as The Phantom in London’s West End production of The Phantom of the Opera. He has starred in many major musicals including Les Miserables, Aspects of Love, West Side Story, Miss Saigon, Show Boat, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, The Mikado, The Convicts Opera, The Sentimental Bloke and The Hatpin. He has recorded 5 solo albums and sings the role of Chris on the International Symphonic Recording of Miss Saigon. Peter studied classical singing with Madam Marian Mathy, Jack Metz and Welsh soprano Rita Hunter.
Peter directed the major international feature film Freedom starring Cuba Gooding Jnr. and William Sadler and is the writer/director of the soon to be produced television series Bring Him Home.
Peter oversees all creative aspects of the Talent Development Project, including devising workshops and tasks, managing the artistic consultants, and monitoring and assessing all students.
Philippe-Marc Anquetil
Producer
Philippe-Marc Anquetil is a veteran of the Music Industry. From humble beginnings in South-Western Sydney, Australia, to an International career in songwriting, production, mixing and mastering, singing, vocal coaching, publishing and management. He is now focused on mentoring and educating, while continuing to ply his trade when the need arises.
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With over 15 years experience working in an ever-changing international music industry, he prides himself as a key player in future of our local Australian music industry.
Since finishing his Bachelor of Music at Sydney University and Sydney’s prestigious Conservatorium of Music, he has gone on to secure over 300 commercial releases worldwide, working with the likes of Little Mix, One Direction, Jessie J, Tinie Tempah and Kelly Rowland, Cher, YouMeAtSix, Chiddy, Wretch 32, Sway, Kumi Koda, Ayumi Hamasaki, Toho Shinki, Shinee, and more locally Ruel, Tim Omaji, The Justice Crew, Joe Moore, Christina Castle, Prinnie Stevens, Paulini, Bella Paige and Alexa (The Voice Kids), Anna-Maria La Spina and many more.
“Being subjected to the many intricacies of the industry puts you in an ideal role as a mentor and educator. When I look back and see what I have been through – the good, the bad and the ugly – I only hope to make clear the way for our talented youth to pursue their dreams, as I was able to… and am still doing.”
Jacob Neale
Musical Director
Musical Director Jacob Neale is a highly renowned and much sought-after jazz pianist, composer and arranger who performs all around Australia. Jacob has built an outstanding reputation as a versatile and respected performer in the jazz, contemporary and country rock music scenes.
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Jacob is a graduate of the Talent Development Project (2012) and has completed a Bachelor of Music with Distinction (2014). He was awarded the Bound for Broadway Scholarship (2013), which saw Jacob working with the top names in New York musical theatre such as Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnellia and Michael Kerker.
Other credits include being awarded a Sport and Tourism Youth Foundation Scholarship, sponsored by Alan Jones AO (2012-13), achieving first place in NSW HSC for Music 2 and Extension (2011), and winner of the Newcastle Dungeon Jazz Competition (2010).
In addition to his roles as music director, session musician, and arranger for orchestras, stage bands and choirs, Jacob also composes for Jacob Neale Quartet. He is one of the driving forces behind Newcastle’s most polished ensembles and he has also performed with Samantha Jade, Timomatic, and Karise Eden.
Manon Wilson
Marketing And Workshop Coordinator
Manon has previous management experience in various hospitality venues including Event Cinemas and Little Jean Double Bay.
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She also has experience as a coach and mentor at St Catherine’s School Waverley. Manon has completed a Bachelor of International Studies, majoring in International Business, and a Bachelor of Media Studies (PR and Advertising) at the University of NSW.
Manon holds two Australian records for her athletic endeavours and has been involved in programs at NIDA and Brent Street.
Apply now to be a part of the Talent Development Project
located in the unique, state-of-the-art Waterloo Studios