Our people

Jamie Lawson OAM

Jamie has been an active leader in community music for over 30 years and is deeply passionate about educating, promoting, and performing within this setting. He is currently Musical Director of both the City of Greater Dandenong Band and the Victorian State Youth Brass Band, and continues to perform as an instrumentalist, achieving success at local, state, national, and international levels.

As a professional freelance musician, Jamie regularly appears on stage and in television recordings, performing on trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet. He also travels extensively as a soloist, conductor, and adjudicator.

Jamie is the co-founder of Skunkworks Community, established to create pathways in community music by connecting young and emerging musicians with professional opportunities. Through this partnership, Skunkworks has curated a range of annual events, including the Bright Brass and Percussion Summer Intensive, the Alpine Brass Festival, and the Victorian Youth Band Festival. The collaboration has also delivered international workshop series and produced acclaimed stage works, such as Judy – Melbourne – 1964, performed at the Athenaeum and National Theatres, and The Silent ANZAC, which toured Europe in 2018 and was awarded top 5 place in 4BarsRest's Concert of the Year.

Jamie is currently Brass and Big Bands Coordinator, Ensemble Director, and Brass Teacher at St Kevin’s College (VIC). He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance (University of Melbourne) and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching (University of New England). In recognition of his contribution to music through brass, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Phillipa Edwards OAM

Phillipa is a distinguished Australian conductor, educator, producer, and arts leader whose career spans more than three decades of excellence in brass and youth music.

As Music Director of the Hyde Street Youth Band and Glenferrie Brass, and organiser of the Victorian State Youth Brass Band, she has led ensembles to state and national championship victories, inspired generations of young musicians, and fostered inclusive, high-quality music-making across Victoria.

Beyond the brass band arena, Phillipa is co-producer of acclaimed theatrical productions such as Judy – Australia – 1964, and she has been a radio announcer with 3MBS since 2010. She is a recipient of the Janice Valma Davey Award and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to music.

Through her leadership with Skunkworks Community, Phillipa has delivered innovative festivals, tours, and collaborative projects, continuing to champion artistic excellence while nurturing the next generation of Australian talent. She is currently Head of Brass at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School.

Dusty Vallance

Dusty Vallance is a seasoned professional whose career spans multiple sectors, with a strong focus on organisational resilience and strategic oversight. Despite not being a musician himself, he has spent more than a decade supporting the community band movement. His commitment to fostering youth engagement in music has seen him take on various leadership roles, including serving as President of the Victorian State Youth Brass Band in recent years. Dusty's appointment strengthens Skunkworks Community's mission to empower young musicians and build sustainable, inclusive opportunities for music-making across Australia. His passion for youth development, paired with his sharp governance acumen, makes him a powerful advocate for the future of community music.