program mentors

Kayleigh Pincott / VOICE

Kayleigh Pincott is a vocalist and educator with a strong background in both performing and teaching. She’s performed around Australia and overseas, known for her work in jazz, contemporary, and original music. A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, Kayleigh is an award-winning vocalist and has been nominated for two Australian Jazz Bell Awards, highlighting her as one of the country’s standout jazz artists. Alongside performing, she’s passionate about teaching and has worked with students at both high school and university levels, led vocal ensembles, run workshops, and taught privately. Kayleigh brings a relaxed, creative approach to teaching, with a focus on confidence-building and connecting through community music.

Euan Cumming / Piano

Euan first got involved with the Brisbane jazz scene in 2009 as a Talkin’ Jazz participant, travelling all the way from country Victoria during his last year of high school. His experience at Talkin’ Jazz was enough to convince him to make the move to Brisbane in 2010 where he studied jazz piano at the Queensland Conservatorium, graduating with First Class Honours in 2013. After completing a Graduate Diploma in Education in 2014, Euan currently teaches performing arts at Ipswich State High School.

Euan has performed regularly, including sell-out shows at the Brisbane and Gold Coast Jazz Clubs as a member of numerous ensembles.

LUKE CUEREL / SAXOPHONES

Luke Cuerel is a saxophonist and educator based in Meanjin/Brisbane. He is a versatile performer, improviser, composer and producer known for combining a background in jazz and electronic music production with a love for melody and texture.

Luke shares his passion for music education and community music-making through his work as an educator and facilitator. He has been involved as a mentor with Creative Fusions (QPAC), Talkin' Jazz and Dots+Loops' Fellowship program, and has over a decade of experience as a music teacher in primary, secondary and tertiary education.

Brodie McAllister / Trombone

Brodie McAllister is an improviser, trombonist, composer, teacher and events organiser from Brisbane, Australia. His artistic practice is concerned with exploring improvisation, hyper-extended instrumental techniques, intensive performer-composer collaboration and community connections.

His career highlights include: premieres from Kupka’s Piano, WAYJO and The Enthusiastic Musicians Orchestra with performances alongside ELISION, BULLHORN and The Stairwell Project.

As a Talkin' Jazz Alumni, Brodie is delighted to be back again, working with the program.

CASSIE WHITEHEAD / SAXOPHONES

Cassie Whitehead is a saxophone specialist, performer and educator. She is a Queensland Conservatorium of Music graduate, has also studied at New York University and has won the Magnetic Island Jazz Festival Award.

Aside from being a sought after saxophonist within the Brisbane jazz scene, Cassie has regularly toured internationally and nationally in many genres. As saxophonist, co-songwriter and manager of reggae/soul/funk outfit Paua, she has played some of New Zealand's biggest music festivals. Cassie has recorded with a range of artists as a session musician in many genres and worked as a horn arranger on a variety of projects. Cassie's songwriting credits, recording and horn arrangement work include many singles and albums with her band Paua that have charted in the Top 100 in New Zealand and hit number one on the iTunes Reggae charts in Australia and New Zealand. 

bede prince / bass

Bede prince is a Brisbane/ Meanjin based bassist and graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium on Music, studying under many of Australia’s premier jazz musicians such as Peter Walters, Steve Newcomb and James Sandon. He is an in-demand performer in the Brisbane and Queensland music scene performing at many venues including, the Brisbane and Towoomba Jazz Clubs, JMI live and DooBop Jazz Bar. 

As Talkin’ Jazz alumni, Bede is very excited to be part of the team inspiring the next wave of jazz musicians. 

Big band tutors

Luke Cuerel / Director

Cassie Whitehead / Director/Saxophones

Brodie McAllister / Trombone

Tristan Rogers / Trumpet