James Archer
James is no stranger to the stage having performed in various bands as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist including Burning Budgies, Maliblues, Leslie Street Soul Band and Last Chance. He has also enjoyed performing in musical theatre shows.
James joined FPO after wanting to break away from the band scene and expand on his theatre experience. A handyman by trade, James’ clients often catch him rehearsing his favourite FPO tunes on the job!
Stacey Brown
Stacey Brown has been a part of FPO since our first concert in 2012. She served on the committee initially as Secretary before being elected as our President 7 years ago. Commencing formal singing lessons at the age of 12, Stacey has always had a love for music and acting, probably ignited early on by classic movies such as Mary Poppins, Annie and The Wizard of Oz. She sang throughout her school years in choirs, smaller vocal ensembles and has regularly performed as a soloist at weddings and functions. After high school, Stacey studied acting before pursuing a career in marketing which has been her day job for the past 20 years. Between working, Fusion Pops and chasing after her two small children, you’ll find Stacey cooking up a storm in the kitchen, creating weird and wonderful vego dishes to surprise her husband. Maybe one day she’ll find the time (and energy) to finally perform in a musical!
Alice Combe
Alice grew up in a musical family and has been singing in choirs since the age of 10. She has been a member of the Adelaide Girls Choir (now Young Adelaide Voices), Orphean, Adelaide Chamber Singers, Aurora, Cantabile and now Fusion Pops. Alice has also sung professionally as a backing singer and in vocal trios. Alice plays piano, ukulele and violin and has a Diploma of Music, Bachelor of Education and Master of Education. Alice currently teaches music at Linden Park Primary School and is a tutor in Arts Education at the University of South Australia. She lives with her partner and their four children and has loved working with Fusion Pops Orchestra since July 2020.
Joni Combe
Joni joined FPO as a singer in 2019 and in recent months has also taken on the role of Publicity Officer. Joni’s involvement in the performing arts was set in motion during her teenage years when she immersed herself in acting, dance and singing classes and performed in a multitude of local community musicals and plays. After completing a B.A in Drama and a Graduate Diploma in Education, Joni worked as a TV presenter on Here’s Humphrey, as an actor/choreographer for The Fairies and as a singer/dancer in Warner Brothers shows. She also sang with the women’s choir Orphean and performed with Adelaide cover band Fresh, before establishing her own performing arts school, Theatre Bugs, which she sold in 2018.
When not bopping on stage with Fusion Pops, Joni works as a Drama Teacher at St Peters Girls School, delivers online courses in well-being for girls and hangs out with her husband and three kids.
Grace Coppola
Grace is an accomplished singer who has sung in choirs from a very young age. Classically trained by Maestro Guido Coppola, Grace is a sought after soloist for weddings, funerals and community events. Other credits include her involvement with the Monteverdi Singers for over 20 years, musical theatre performances with Sr Janet Mead and chorus work in operas. Grace has also conducted small local choirs and produced and managed major concerts in Adelaide and Melbourne.
By day, Grace is a speech pathologist at her own busy clinic. She thoroughly enjoys singing with FPO and bringing joy to others through wonderful music.
Carina Green
Carina has been a member of FPO since 2012 and for much of that time has served as an active member of the committee and as FPO’s Treasurer. Carina’s determination to constantly improve the standard of the group has played a key part in the success that FPO enjoys today.
Growing up in a musical family, Carina started piano lessons at the age of 4 and singing at the age of 7. As a young child, she enjoyed singing along to the Beatles and jazz and adding her own harmonies.
Carina has enjoyed working with many local musicians around Adelaide and loves ‘gigging’ acoustically. When not singing, Carina works as a Landscape Architect and loves to stay active (especially if it involves a paddleboard!).
Rachel Hedges
Rachel’s passion for singing was ignited when she joined the Adelaide Girls Choir (now Young Adelaide Voices) at the age of 10. Her involvement in the choir included performances at many high profile events including a prestigious performance at Westminster Abbey as part of a European tour. She also studied ballet throughout her childhood and as a teen. As an adult, Rachel has continued her musical journey as a member of the women’s choir, Orphean, the Adelaide Girls alumni choir Aurora and now Fusion Pops.
When not pumping out tunes with FPO, Rachel runs her Stirling based physio and pilates practice, takes Suzuki piano lessons and enjoys time with husband, Paul and their two young children.
Rachel loves the FPO family and enjoys the comradery of performing with such a talented bunch of singers and musicians.
Mark Horner
Mark studied Music Secondary teaching (B Ed) and Performing Arts (B Mus) before travelling the world playing flute on the Spanish Steps, in Venice and in the London Underground – the income certainly came in handy when his wallet was stolen in the Notting Hill Gate Carnival! In 1992-93, Mark sang and recorded with the BBC Symphony Chorus, the Barbican and South Bank Centre and with Capella Ducale under Livio Picotti, the last in St Mark’s Basilica. Once back in Adelaide, Mark performed at the Night Train Theatre Restaurant and was also stage manager for many of the Night Train productions. Mark has been the Musical Director for many local musicals presented by local theatre companies such as Northern Light Theatre Company and the Hills Musical Society. His favourites include the Mikado, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blues in the Night and Eurobeat.
These days, Mark works as a primary school teacher and throughly enjoys singing sweet harmonies with the ‘poppers’ and our talented orchestra.
Imogen Lofte
Bio coming – watch this space!
Frank McCann
Frank has been with FPO almost since its humble beginnings back in 2012. A singer since childhood, Frank has performed with a couple of small rock bands and also with the Monteverdi Choir and the Adelaide University Choral Society (AUCS). He was the Concert Manager for both groups for 5 years. Frank has sung solo for many large audiences, the largest being 30,000 people at the opening ceremony of the 2007 World Police and Fire Games at the Adelaide Oval.
Tara Mutze
As the youngest FPO vocalist, Tara has a wealth of musical experience. She has performed in choirs and taken voice lessons for the last 12 years and has also studied piano, bassoon and flute. With a preference for music that pre-dates her own existence, Tara enjoys jazz, show tunes and classical as well as 70s/80s folk music.
Tara is currently studying a science degree and also working as a swimming instructor. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting blankets and watching ice hockey.
Laura Poli
Laura has been a primary school teacher for 10 years and feels that singing is a very effective stress release!
Laura’s musical journey began at school when she took vocal lessons – a passion that stayed with her throughout her primary and secondary years. However, she doesn’t feel that she really found her voice and took things more seriously until she joined FPO in 2012.
In her free time, Laura enjoys going to musicals, playing sport and exploring the travel opportunities within South Australia.
Joel Schroeder
Joel Schroeder has years of performing and musical training behind him and has recently completed a Diploma of Live and Studio Sound Engineering. As a result, Joel is a confident stage performer with a keen ear for sound.
In the last few years, Joel has been busy writing his own original music which has culminated in the release of his debut album Adore To A Home. Joel’s talent for musical composition and performance was recognised during Fringe 2021 when he was awarded the weekly winner award for ‘best emerging artist’.
You can often find Joel performing his smooth melodic songs at bars, restaurants and wineries in and around Adelaide.
Amy Smedley
Amy Smedley trained in classical and jazz vocal styles, as well as rhythm guitar throughout her school life. At 16 years of age she recorded an a capella album with an all-female quintette, but at university focused on an Architecture career.
After a long musical break, she brought her passion back to life as a young mother who found herself constantly singing to and with her children. Today you will find her combining the two passions, designing spaces that are rich with acoustic qualities, in her own Architecture practice. She has also returned to vocal training and has her eye on the goal of auditioning for the State Opera.