Melanie Penicka-Smith
A passionate event professional, with the community at the centre of all her work, Melanie Penicka-Smith has over 15 years’ experience in events & stage management, organising special events, cultural festivals, street festivals, and high profile & technically complex concert events.
With extensive experience working with a range of commercial & not-for-profit organisations, Mel is the go-to-girl for planning & staging events. There aren’t many things she hasn’t seen. With significant knowledge & experience working with local & state government bodies, Mel has a good understanding of the many & varied legislative requirements. Mel's specialty is risk management. In collaboration with Sarah, Mel produced Purcell’s Fairy Queen for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, the first ever opera staged by an LGBTQI choir. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Event Management | Risk Management Planning & Assessment | Production Management | Event Management Documentation | Venue Liaison Concert Production | Chamber Opera Production | Choral Event Consultancy CURRENT POSITIONS
Events, Markets & Events Coordinator - City of Sydney Founding Director - Pacific Pride Choir |
PREVIOUS POSITIONS
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (2008 - 2013) Director, Surry Hills Festival (2005) Assistant Stage Manager, Sydney Gay Games (2002) OPERA
Campra - Tancrede (Opera Prometheus, 2013) Cummins - Anacreontea Antipodean* (Opera Prometheus, 2011) Cummins - Timor* (Opera Prometheus, 2015) Glass - Akhnaten (Ondine Productions, 2013) Krasa - Brundibar (Joseph Toltz/Opera Prometheus, 2014) Leon - Monsoon* (Opera Prometheus, 2015) Menotti - The Medium (Opera Prometheus, 2015) Purcell - The Fairy Queen (Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, 2009) * = world premiere CONCERT EVENTS Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, SGLC Goes Platinum 20th Anniversary Concert (2010) EDUCATION & TRAINING
Diploma of Events Sydney Institute of TAFE (2012) Diploma in Business (Marketing), majoring in Event Management APM Training Institute, St Leonards, Sydney (2004) Bachelor of Arts & Diploma of Education Macquarie University, Sydney (1984-87) |
Header Photo: courtesy of Diversity Choir, Hanoi, Vietnam
Photo: Penny Ryan, Penny Ryan Photography