LPA was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kellie Dickerson on Tuesday 9 January 2024, following a long illness.
We extend our thoughts and sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
Kellie was a highly respected and acclaimed Musical Director. Her talents have been recognised through numerous awards, including three Green Room Awards (for Wicked, Once and City of Angels), the Churchill Fellowship for musical direction of original works, the Donald Peart Memorial Award for Music and the Brian Stacey Memorial Trust Scholarship for Young Conductors. Kellie was awarded an OAM in the 2022 Australia Day Honours for service to the performing arts industry.
Kellie trained at Sydney University with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) Piano Performance and was part of the Symphony Australia Young Conductor’s Programme.
Her career began as a Pianist/Keyboard on The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Turandot, Beauty and the Beast, The Three Divas and The Mikado. She was Keyboard/Associate Musical Director for Showboat, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, The Witches of Eastwick, The Producers and My Fair Lady.
Kellie went on to become known and decorated for her work as a Musical Director and Conductor. She worked on major productions both in Australia and internationally, including: Annie Get Your Gun, Amici Forever, Die Fledermaus, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Rob Guest in Concert, Wicked, The Merry Widow, Dr. Zhivago, Legally Blonde, Grey Gardens, Show Boat, Fiddler on the Roof, Once, The Book of Mormon, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
She conducted the Sydney and West Australian Symphony Orchestras in concert and recorded with the Opera Australia Orchestra and the ABC amongst others. Kellie held the role of Musical Supervisor for Wicked and Once (both the Australasian tour and Korean productions) and Dr. Zhivago (Korean production).
Kellie also sat on industry panels for the Helpmann Awards, the then-Australia Council, New Musicals Australia, the Rob Guest Endowment and consulted for the AMEB musical theatre syllabus.
Evelyn Richardson, Chief Executive of LPA, has said:
Kellie was a wonderfully warm, smart, professional colleague who always gave her time and energy generously.
She was a hugely respected Musical Director and Conductor and her contribution and support on Helpmann Award panels is gratefully acknowledged.
She will be very much missed.
