Hailing from New Zealand, Philippa Jones studied Music at Otago University with a focus on voice and musicology. Having been a passionate chorister all her life, she sang in various youth choirs and ensembles, including those at a regional and national level.

Philippa began her teaching and conducting career at Whangaparaoa College, on Auckland’s North Shore. She progressed to become Head of Music, and established the choral program at the school. The Senior Auditioned Choir was selected multiple times for the National Finale of the The Big Sing, a national choral competition for Secondary Schools featuring over 10,000 students from 270 Choirs, where they received awards including the Youth Ambassadors Award for the choir that embodied the spirit of The Big Sing.

Moving to Melbourne in 2012, Philippa is currently the Co-Director of Music – Choral and Curriculum at Firbank Grammar School. Under her direction, Firbank now has one of the highest quality choral programs in Australia, with her Bel Canto choristers winning first place at the Summa Cum Laude Youth Music Festival with the grade ‘outstanding success’ in Vienna, and being selected to represent Australia at the International Choral Kathaumixw Festival in Canada, as well as other projects closer to home including a recent recording session. Philippa has worked closely with Choral Clinician Dr. Andrew Withington over the past two years exploring intonation and rehearsal processes.

As a former Concordis chorister, Philippa brings a deep understanding of how to blend and work with the Concordis sound. Her passion and knowledge continues to drive Concordis forward as one of Australia’s finest choral ensembles.