CV

Cath Parsons OAM

As an experienced communications professional, I am passionate about making speech delivery accessible to everyone. I have excellent communication skills and thrive in public speaking, presentation and training.

Having recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in written communication for professional contexts, I specialise in speechwriting and creative non-fiction.

Work experience

2014+ Co-Founder, National Music Director - Australian Military Wives Choir (AMWChoir), as of 2023, role title National Artistic Director

  • Acting as executive officer-bearer for a national incorporated association

  • Conductor, artist director and writer for the AMWChoir 10th Anniversary Concert in October 2022, backed by the Air Force Concert Band

  • Maintained websites and social media platforms, writing copy for blog posts, procedural texts, grant submissions, training materials, event programs, annual reports and speeches

  • Oversee a team of 30+ leaders for an arts organisation, coaching and mentoring a wide range of people, overseeing the planning, succession and appointment of volunteer leaders, and managing conflict resolution

  • Collaborating with the leadership team to take a national network of 12 choirs to online ZOOM rehearsals during the pandemic in 2020

  • Programming and executing national training, workshop events and performances for dignitaries at the highest level of the Australian government. For example, World Singing Day 2023, at Government House Canberra; the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony in 2018

  • Working with an app developer to launch the AMWChoir App, a custom app for choir members to practice songs in between choir rehearsals

  • Songwriting, arranging and publishing original choral music

  • 1990 + Instrumental Music Teacher - Cath Parsons Music & Speech

  • Maintain a studio of private students and provide instrumental instruction in person and via video conferencing

  • Registered teacher with national music examination boards

  • Prepare candidates for examinations in pianoforte, voice, music theory and speech and drama through weekly lessons

  • Manage lesson scheduling, payment of fees and exam entry for students

Skills

  • My writing style leans towards lyrical prose

  • I have a good sense of applying context and structure to hold an audience

  • I have advanced skills in presentation, poetry performance and hosting events

  • In professional writing genres, I have experience in speechwriting, presentations, creative non-fiction, reviews, personal essays and creative genres

  • I am assertive and persuasive while committed to diversity, equity and inclusion

  • I am organized and plan carefully to meet deadlines

  • I approach problem-solving with creative flexibility

  • I maintain social media platforms, a personal website and a blog 

Awards

2021

Order of Australia Medal (OAM), Queen’s Birthday Honours List ‘For service to choral music’

2019

Shortlisted, Northern Territory Literary Awards Poetry Prize 

Education

2023

Bachelor of Arts, Professional Writing and Publishing, OUA - Curtin University

2022

UNSW, Defence Family Career Comeback Course

2017 & 2018

Defence Community Organisation Governance Training

2016

Licentiate Diploma of Musicology, Australian Society of Musicology

2011

Diploma of Church Music, Saint Cecilia School of Music