helen medlyn & penny dodd
penny dodd - bio
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arranging
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opera
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theatre work
tv, radio and recording
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bio updated august 2006
penny dodd
Victoria University of Wellington, B Mus (Piano Performance) 1980
Music Teachers: Judith Clark - piano; Laurence Leonard, Morley College, London - conducting; Dr Albert Harris, ex UCLA, - orchestration.
Freelance musician since 1979, working in the fields of theatre, opera, radio, television and concerts as pianist, musical director, arranger, conductor, composer, or producer. Emigrated to the UK in 1987, and returned to New Zealand in late 1990. Director of Browns' Music Ltd.
2005 hellcats, with Helen Medlyn, Auckland Festival club, Wintergarden. raising hell, with Helen Medlyn, pianist and producer, Herald Theatre. High Society, MD and arranger, Auckland Theatre Company, Sky City Theatre.
2004 Evita, Stetson Productions, with Josie Walker, MD/conductor, New Zealand Tour _Whalerider, Civic Theatre, vocal coach and vocal arranger.
2003 hell for leather, with Helen Medlyn, pianist and producer, Herald Theatre
2002 Big River - MD, Unitec hellbent, pianist and producer, Helen Medlyn cabaret show, Ilott Theatre, Wellington, Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin Festival.
2001 Chicago, MD/pianist, Stetson Productions, NZ Tour hellbent, pianist and producer, Helen Medlyn cabaret show, Herald Theatre, Auckland Let Yourself Go, MD/pianist, Unitec School of Screen and Performing Arts, Auckland. Love/Hate Relationship, MD/pianist, with Jackie Clarke and Tim Beveridge, Tauranga Arts Festival. Sirens, with Jackie Clarke and Tina Cross, Taranaki Arts Festival hell on heels, - Tour - Taranaki Arts Festival, Framingham Vineyard, Blenheim, Baycourt Theatre Tauranga.
2000 to hell with love, pianist and producer, Helen Medlyn cabaret show, Maidment Studio
1999 hell on heels, pianist and producer, Helen Medlyn solo show, Maidment Studio Sirens, with Tina Cross and Jackie Clarke, The Famous Spiegeltent.
1998 hell on heels, Wellington International Festival of the Arts Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Keys 2, Hong Kong
1997 And the World Goes Round, MD/pianist Sky City, with Tina Cross and Jackie Clarke Porgy and Bess, Keys 1, St James Theatre, Auckland, Living Arts World Tour Tell Me the Truth About Love, Helen Medlyn solo show, Downstage Theatre, Wellington
1996 The Secret Garden, Keys 2, St James Theatre, Auckland Assassins, Musical Advisor/Vocal Coach, Watershed Theatre, Auckland
1995 The New Rocky Horror Show, Rehearsal piano, Aotea Centre, Auckland Me and My Girl, Piano, Aotea Centre, Auckland Hot Shoe Shuffle with Debbie Byrne, Piano, St James Theatre, Auckland
1994 Into the Woods, Vocal coach, Watershed Theatre, Auckland
1993 MD, Footlights and Fancyfree with Grant Bridger, Mercury Gods, Auckland Ken Hill's Phantom of the Opera, Casting and Rehearsals , NZ Tour
1992 Fallen Angels, MD/pianist, Galaxy Theatre, Auckland Chess, Aotea Centre, Associate MD, Auckland and NZ Tour
1991 Porgy and Bess, Chorus Mistress and Piano, Mercury Theatre, Auckland
1990 Chess, Keys 1, 6 months tour of UK Jim Bailey as Judy Garland, MD/pianist Norwich Festival, England
1989 The Pied Piper, MD/keyboards, National Theatre tour of UK, with Matthew Kelly Evita, MD/Conductor, State Theatre, Sydney, Australia, Stetson Productions The Phantom of the Opera, Deputy Keys 2, His Majesty's, London La Cage Aux Folles, Rehearsals, Gala Performance, The Palladium, London Anything Goes with Elaine Page, Rehearsals, London Busmans Honeymoon, Piano duo with Don Shearman, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
1988 Mother Goose, pantomime, MD, Billingham Municipal Theatre Night of 1000 Stars, MD, several acts, The Adelphi Theatre, London The Phantom of the Opera, Deputy Keys 2, His Majesty's, London Mack & Mabel Gala performance, Rehearsals, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London Chess, Rehearsals, London
1987 Aladdin pantomime, MD, Princess Theatre, Torquay The Phantom of the Opera, Deputy Keys 2, His Majesty's, London Fathers and Sons, Piano, MD, National Theatre, Southbank, London
1986 Aloha, MD/arranger, His Majesty's, Auckland, Dir: Joe Layton The Pirates of Penzance, Associate MD, NZ Tour, Stetson Productions
1981-1985 Mercury Theatre, Auckland, MD for Oliver!, Aladdin, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dracula, King of Hearts, The King and I (co - MD with Juan Matteucci), Footrot Flats, Chicago, Sweet Charity, The Rink, The Pirates of Penzance.
1999 Accompanist, The Magic Flute, Class Act Opera
1998 Principal Repetiteur and harpsichord recitatives, Cinderella, Opera NZ Accompanist, Hansel & Gretel and Make a Date with Oprah/Opera - Class Act Opera, Auckland season
1997 Accompanist, Starfire by Anthony Ritchie, Class Act Opera - Auckland and Taranaki tours
1996 Assistant to the Conductor, Tosca, Opera NZ, Cond: Stephen Matthews Principal Repetiteur, Lucia di Lammermoor, Opera NZ, Cond: Patrick Flynn Principal Repetiteur, Don Giovanni with Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Opera NZ, Cond: Stephen Barlow
1995 Principal Repetiteur, La Traviata, Opera New Zealand, Cond: Brett Morris
2006 Rotorua 10th Anniversary Lakeside concert - MD/Arranger Sky City Starlight Symphony, Musical Director/Arranger Sweet Charity segment , Best Events Ltd
2005 Sky City Starlight Symphony, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger Symphonic Rock segment , Alan Smythe Special Events Ltd, Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger, Hagley Park, Christchurch and Auckland Domain , broadcast TV3 (23 piece band, vocal groups and choir.) Alan Smythe Special Events Ltd
2004 Sky City Starlight Symphony, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger Car Concerto Auckland Philharmonia, Conductor /Arranger Symphonic Rock 04_Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger Sky City Starlight Symphony, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger Car Concerto Auckland Philharmonia, Conductor /Arranger Symphonic Rock 04_Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger,
2003 Sky City Starlight Symphony, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger Kiwiana segment Auckland Philharmonia, Conductor /Arranger Symphonic Rock 03_wrote arrangements for Nelson Festival, Christchurch Sym[hony Proms, Central Otago orchestra concert Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger
2002 Sky City Starlight Symphony, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger Musical Theatre segment NBR Stadium Spectacular, Arranger and vocal MD, NZSO, Wellington Stadium America's Cup Opening Ceremony, Musical Director Wrote arrangements for Auckland Phiharmonia Discovery, Pops 5 and 6 concerts Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger
2001 Sirens for Orchestra, Arranged and conducted Christchurch Symphony orchestra, Chch Town Hall. Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger, Hagley Park, Christchurch and Auckland Domain,Sky City Starlight Symphony, Vocal MD/Arranger, pianist, Auckland Domain, Showstoppers 1, Pianist/Arranger, Auckland Philharmonia, Bruce Mason Centre. Wrote arrangements for: Showstoppers 2, Auckland Philharmonia, Bruce Mason Centre. Renee Geyer Concert Arranger, Auckland Philharmonia, Aotea Centre Christmas concert Christchurch Symphony orchestra, Chch Town Hall Dead Elvis Tour, New Zealand Chamber Orchestra, Helen Medlyn in concert, Canberra Symphony Orchestra
2000 Heartland Tour, Pianist/Arranger with Helen Medlyn, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger, Hagley Park, Christchurch and Auckland Domain , broadcast TV2 Starlight Symphony, Vocal MD/Arranger, Auckland Domain,
1999 Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger, Starlight Symphony, Vocal MD/Arranger, Auckland Domain, Kiri and Young Friends concert, Blenheim, Piano, NZSO Michael Barrymore Laid Back On Tour, Keyboards and Musicians' Contractor.
1998 Schweppes Showtime, Conductor and Musical Director, Auckland Domain, full orchestra, big band and choir. Broadcast TV2, Alan Smythe Special Events Ltd NZSO BP Pops Tour with Rima te Wiata, Piano/arranger, Cond: Brett Morris Starlight Symphony, Piano/arranger, Auckland Domain, Alan Smythe Special Events Ltd All Aboard with Ron Goodwin Piano, NZSO Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor/Musical Director/Arranger, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Broadcast TV3
1997 Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Conductor /Musical Director/Arranger, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Broadcast TV3 Classical Spectacular, MD/Keyboards for Rock section, North Harbour Stadium Grand Opening, Auckland Philharmonia and Rock band, Alan Smythe Special Events Ltd Auckland Philharmonia Lights Series, with Helen Medlyn, Piano/ arranger, Conductor: Phillip Green
1996 Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Piano/ arranger, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Cond: Wayne Senior TV3
1995 Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Piano/ arranger, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Cond: Brett Morris TV1 NZSO BP Pops Tour with Rima te Wiata, Piano/arranger, cond: Brett Morris
prior to 1994 Recitals, with singers including Malcolm McNeill, Helen Medlyn, Anne Dumont, Grant Bridger. Providing orchestrations for concerts for Auckland Philharmonia, small bands, theatre groups.
penny dodd - tv, radio and recording
2006 Trio Album with Helen Medlyn, voice and Neil Hannan, bass
2000 The Big Time, 7 part Reality TV series broadcast TV2. MD and on-screen judge for audition/rehearsal process for performers to be included in Christmas in the Park. hell on heels New Year's Day concert with Helen Medlyn, Concert FM
1998 Greenstone, NZ television mini series, MD/Arranger/conductor, music composed and produced by Murray Grindlay and Murray McNabb
1997 Tomfoolery on the Wireless with Rima te Wiata, Jackie Clarke, Mark Hadlow, Geoff Dolan, Grant Bridger, RNZ National Radio, Winner in the 1998 NZ Radio Awards. Tina Cross Sings Kander and Ebb, RNZ National Radio.
1996 Theatre Songs of the Nineties, RNZ National Radio, MD/Arranger, Finalist in the 1997 NZ Radio Awards.
1995 The Musical World of Jerry Herman, with Ann Pacey MD/Arranger The Musical World of George Henare, with George Henare, MD/Arranger Christmas Beaver style, with Beaver, Real Strings Orchestra. Conductor
1994 Songs from the Streets of Europe, with Anne Dumont, Finalist in the 1995 NZ Radio Awards. A Cock Eyed Optimist, with Helen Medlyn
1993 Two by Two piano duets with Stephen dePledge The Two of Us 1 and 2, with Raewyn Blade and Beaver. Sondheim, with Grant Bridger
1992 Rima te Wiata, Producer/MD/Arranger/Pianist for Sony Music. CD of 12 tracks, Rima te Wiata and big band with string quartet The Best of Times, with Anne Dumont, Grant Bridger, Jennifer Ward-Lealand
1991 I Remember Danny Kaye, with Grant Bridger
1987 Unlikely Songs, with Helen Medlyn
penny dodd - arranging for symphony orchestra, show bands, chamber ensembles
Since 1991 provided instrumental works and song accompaniments for: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Rotorua Lakeside Concert, NBR Opera New Zealand, Wellington International Festival of the Arts, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Central Otago Orchestra, Vector Wellington Sinfonia, Alan Smythe Special Events Ltd, Best Events Ltd, Australian Business Theatre, Ovation Business Theatre. Songs for many artists including Dame Malvina Major, John Rowles, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Jackie Clarke, Darryl Lovegrove, Deborah Wai-Kapohe, Sir Howard Morrison, The 12 Irish Tenors, Angela Taverner, Lucy Lawless, Tim Beveridge, Ricky Morris, Frankie Stevens, Rima te Wiata, Tina Cross, Ray Woolf, George Henare, Helen Medlyn, Wayne Mason, winners of NZ Idol, and Che Fu.