Meet the voices behind Ballarat’s Carols

A NEW, vibrant creative team is bringing Ballarat’s Carols by Candlelight to the City Oval this December.

Passionate, local performing arts personalities, Katherine Armati, Carolyn Bennett and Callan Lewis have united to produce an event they hope is better than ever.

With backgrounds in dance, voice and broader musical theatre, education, screen acting and children’s entertainment, the group is experienced to bring an all ages community evening of song to the stage.

Dancer, Katherine Armati provides plenty of musical theatre expertise, having choreographed and directed recent Ballarat productions of Cats, Mary Poppins, Chicago and Miss Saigon.

She brings something unique to the organising committee, previously assisting with Albury Carols by Candlelight.

“I feel I’ve got a different insight into what will make it successful. I always attended the Wodonga one as well, and they both ran with a similar feel to the Melbourne event,” Ms Armati said. “I would go every year, take a picnic, we’d entertain ourselves and dress up. It was always such a fun gathering of friends and family.

“Ballarat Carols by Candlelight will be a really community orientated event and everybody will be welcome.

“The calibre of performers that have put their hands up is really exciting, and to be able to utilise community organisations like the brass bands and pipe bands is great,” she said.

Teacher, Callan Lewis, wasn’t always coaching dance and drama in the classroom at Ballarat Grammar.

A former performer with The Wiggles, he’s also worked professionally on screen and stage with Opera Australia, Australian Shakespeare Company, Channel 10 and the ABC.

Having graduated from the Ballarat Arts Academy, Mr Lewis is a member of BLOC, Ballarat Lyric Theatre, Ballarat National Theatre and now the Ballarat Carols by Candlelight Inc. committee.

“I’ve had experience in the community area as Secretary of the Haddon Fire Brigade, so I’ve been on the committee of other organisations before, and the Carols were keen to have me on board,” he said.

“I have fond memories of going to the Melbourne Carols as a child, out in the crowd, waving our candles and singing with voices nice and loud.

“As I grew up, I was a performer in the pre-show children’s entertainment for Melbourne Carols by Candlelight. Now, with children of my own, we’re keen to have that experience available for my children and all members of Ballarat,” Mr Lewis said.

“There’s nothing like attending or being involved in a live performance. Looking out on the crowds with their candles raised up is a unique and amazing experience.”

Singer, Carolyn Bennett is a voice teacher at her home studio, Sing to Inspire, and at Ballarat Grammar.

As Chair of Royal South Street’s Contemporary Vocal section, she’s in high demand to coach musical theatre vocal technique, and can be found on stage, or behind the scenes in many Ballarat amateur productions.

Ms Bennett first performed in Ballarat’s Carols in the mid-1990s. Hearing of their cancellation earlier in the year, she was quick to act, championing the idea of a non-denominational event.

“Due to all the media uproar, I ended up putting a little comment on Facebook saying, ‘I’m trying to get something up and running, there’s lots to do and grants to apply for.’

“Matt Hustwaite saw my comment, approached me and we joined forces,” she said.

The pair last collaborated in 2011 on The Boy From Oz.

“I’d probably gathered five or six people in a working party already, but he was approaching it from a different angle with sponsorships and donations, getting the heart of Ballarat behind it,” Ms Bennett said. “It just melded together beautifully. I’m so thrilled to be involved, and everybody on our committee is so equally passionate.”

Organising committee President, Mr Hustwaite said this “stroke of good luck” ensured the iconic Ballarat event was quickly saved and would be produced to a high quality.

“Our whole committee are thrilled to be making sure this beloved Christmas tradition continues for years to come,” he said. “To have some of Ballarat’s best performing arts minds combined with the good cause that is Carols by Candlelight, bodes very well for what will be a fantastic night of Christmas fun.

“It’s hard to not get excited when you’re talking about having the people behind Cats and Mary Poppins, South Street’s Contemporary Vocal competition and even a past Wiggle performer all working together on Carols.”

The wider committee includes technical production, business and financial management, and theatrical design experts.