About Adelaide inSpires

Adelaide inSpires is a four-day festival of music-making and formation. In addition to our usual streams of organ and voice, this year’s focus is on new music, and in particular celebration of the local creative voices of Australia and New Zealand.

The heart of the festival remains what we do best: learning, preparing and performing a rich round of services across a variety of traditions and denominations, guided by experienced leaders and grounded in practical, hands-on rehearsals. While the composing stream will open up the craft behind what we sing – through workshops, shared insights and new experiences.

Choose your own adventure - feel free to nominate which services and workshops you'd like to participate in.

Musical Directors & Presenters

Michael Stewart Organist & Director of Music: Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

Michael Stewart is one of the foremost choral conductors in New Zealand, as well as being one of the country’s leading concert organists. Michael is also the Music Director of The Tudor Consort, and Deputy Music Director of the New Zealand Youth Choir.

Kim Worley Choir Director: Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Kim Worley is a multi-faceted musician, combining conducting, singing and cello in his versatile professional portfolio. Kim holds a Masters degree in orchestral conducting from the Elder Conservatorium, and has been Choir Director at Bethlehem Lutheran Church since 2023. He conducts and performs with the Adelaide Cantata Band, which he also co-founded and co-directs.

Anna Freer Choir Director: Church of the Holy Name

Anna Freer is a violinist, singer, and writer, recently returned to Australia after five years of study in Switzerland. She is passionate about telling stories and fostering the joy of making music together, especially in choral settings. She is the director of the Holy Name Choir and the Holy Name Children’s Choir.

Peter Kelsall Organist and Choir Director: Pilgrim Uniting Church

Peter Kelsall is an Adelaide based musician who has been the Organist and Choir Director at Pilgrim Uniting Church since 1995. He is in demand as an organist, choral conductor, accompanist and teacher.

Timothy Davey Director of Music: St Francis Xavier Cathedral

Having taught in Catholic schools for 30 years as APRIM and music coordinator, Timothy took on the responsibilities of Director of Music at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide. He is a conductor, musician, and choral singer.

Noel Debien ABC Head of Religion & Ethics and Director of Music at St Francis of Assisi, Paddington

As a singer, seminarian and broadcaster, Noel Debien's voice is immediately recognisable from his role as Head of the ABC Religion and Ethics Unit. In his other role as Director of Music at St Francis of Assisi Paddington Noel recently commissioned and performed a new work by Brooke Shelley for the feast of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.

Anthony Hunt Organist & Director of Music: St Peter's Cathedral

Pianist, Organist and Conductor Anthony Hunt was the Chorus Master at Opera Australia from 2013-2019. In 2020 he returned to Adelaide with his family, commencing as Director of Music at St Peter’s Cathedral, and Head of Music & Chorus Master at the State Opera of South Australia.

Jacinta Jakovcevic Organist & Director of Music: Geraldton Cathedral of St Francis Xavier

Jacinta Jakovcevic is chair of the WA branch of the RSCM. She was recently appointed Director of Music at Geraldton Cathedral and is a member of the Roman Catholic National Liturgical Music Council.

Composers-in-residence

John Rotar Composer & Conductor

John, described by Limelight magazine as a 'young, talented and innovative composer', is an up and coming composer and conductor based in Brisbane. John’s eclectic œuvre spans the ridiculous to the sublime; from folky Slovenian string quartets to ambient electronic Gregorian chant and from big band charts to large works for symphony orchestra. Across this varied body of work the music is characterised by a strong sense of attachment and commentary on the institutions and history of music; it is a music which is full of life and always strives to emotionally communicate to and resonate with those who are willing to listen.

Dorothy Nguyen Musician, Singer, Songwriter & Educator

Dorothy Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Australian musician, singer, songwriter and Catholic educator based in Adelaide. She serves in music ministry at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral and the Vietnamese Catholic Community at the Church of Our Lady of the Boat People, leading and participating in multiple choirs and composing responsorial psalms, liturgical sequences and Christian hymns used in Masses. A recipient of the 2025 APMN Scholarship, Dorothy is passionate about using music as a vessel for faith, cultural identity and connection.

Brooke Shelley Composer, Songwriter & Singer

Brooke's experience in choral singing has translated into her composition portfolio being largely choral music for the liturgy. Although classically trained, Brooke has always loved popular music, particularly Scandinavian metal.

Scholarships from the Ralph Morton Memorial Fund

Scholarship funding for course, travel and accommodation costs is available for young people and students under 28 from the Ralph Morton Memorial Fund. Please use the Scholarship Application link below to apply. Then return here to register using the discount coupon provided.

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Refund policy

Cancellation before 1 September 2026 attracts a full refund.
Cancellation after 1 September 2026 results in a full refund minus a $200 late cancellation fee.