 Dave Odams
Senior Band and Jazz Band
Dave is a multi-instrumental brass performer, teacher and conductor with over 30 years experience across various musical genres, including classical, jazz, brass band, big band, orchestral, and pop/soul. Originally from Mansfield, England, he began his musical journey on the trombone at age 11 and later expanded his proficiency to include tuba, euphonium, trumpet, and sousaphone. His early career in the UK featured performances with numerous ensembles, notably the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Hackney Colliery Band, where he was part of the original 2009 lineup.
Since relocating to Sydney in 2011, Dave has dedicated himself to music education and community engagement. He serves as a brass tutor and conductor at several schools, including Normanhurst West Public School, Pennant Hills Public School, and Hornsby Heights Public School. His teaching emphasizes individual student needs, covering technique, theory, and preparation for performances and examinations. Dave has been recognized multiple times by the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), earning the “Top 5 Most Outstanding Private Teacher” award in the Preliminary to Grade 6 category in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Beyond education, he remains active in performance, leading his own New Orleans-style jazz ensemble, the Blue Tongue Brass Band, and participating in groups like the North West Wind Ensemble and the Blue Riff Big Band.
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Rose Foster
Training Band and Intermediate Band
Rose is a prominent trombonist and music educator based in Sydney, Australia, known for her dynamic presence in the jazz and school music scenes.
Rose holds the lead trombone position in the Sirens Big Band, an all-female jazz ensemble celebrated for its innovative projects, such as the cross-cultural collaboration Bridge of Dreams with saxophonist Sandy Evans and Indian classical musicians . She also performs with the Divergence Jazz Orchestra, contributing to their 2023 album Shadows and Light. Her versatility extends to groups like Queen Porter Stomp, which blends early jazz and swing influences , and The Royal River Rats, a band rooted in post-swing and early rock’n’roll styles
Beyond performance, Foster is deeply involved in music education. Outside of conducting our own Training and Intermediate Bands she also leads jazz improvisation classes at Turramurra High School. Her teaching roles extend to various school band programs across Sydney, where she is recognized for her engaging and supportive approach..
Rose’s discography includes The Journeyman Suite (2024) released on ABC Jazz , and she has contributed to projects like Andrée Greenwell’s Listen to Me, which features contemporary Australian poetry set to music. Her performances have been showcased at events such as the Orange Winter Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival and “Brass on the Grass,” highlighting her active engagement in Australia’s live music scene.
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