The Women of Noise Team

Phoebe Bognár

Founder and Artistic Director &
‘Women Write Now’ Chief Writer

Phoebe is a Australian-born flutist, composer and improviser currently based in Sydney. Her approach to music is sewn with vibrancy and diversity, exploring a range of genres, repertoire and styles. Phoebe is especially passionate about eroding injustices, collaborating across the arts and sharing the work of sometimes historically obscured artists. It is this sentiment that inspired an idea towards the end of her second year at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music– the idea to propose a concert to celebrate International Women’s Day, featuring works by women throughout musical history. And so began Women of Noise! She is most inspired by the women around her, those in her family, her colleagues, friends and mentors. She also draws artistic inspiration from the work of Gertrude Stein, Pauline Oliveros, Nathalie Joachim and Claire Chase, amongst many others. In her spare time, Phoebe enjoys writing, drawing, making earrings and taking long walks surrounded by nature. 

Courtney Lovell

Marketing, Publicity and Social Media Coordinator &
‘Women of Noizzze’ Host

Courtney is a Saxophone player with a strong drive for music and an even stronger passion for community arts. She is the host of ‘Women of Noizzze‘, a radio show and podcast featuring interviews and broadcasting music from female-Identifying and non-binary members of the community. Courtney is also passionate about creating safe spaces for creative expression within the community, and has been running the Women of Noise Jam Packed nights. As of 2020, Courtney will also be creatively co-curating Women of Noise concerts. She is currently in her third year of studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music Griffith University and is a recent addition to the Royal Australian Navy Reserve Band. Courtney spends her spare time curled up in nooks reading, watering her family of plants and divulging herself in the Brisbane arts scene. She has been inspired and influenced by the pioneering of Laurie Anderson, the hectic sax skills of YoLanda Brown and the ever-so-wonderful, Melissa Aldana.

Lia RN

Women of Noizzze Co-Host & Media Correspondent

Lia is a third year Environmental Sustainability and Social Change Communication student at Griffith University. She aims to pursue a career in International Development or Community Development. She is Indian and Portuguese and grew up in East Timor, Papua New Guinea and for short stints in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Immersing herself in new music, languages and cultures is core to who she is, having travelled to over thirty countries and speaking 3 languages. She hopes to bring this to “Women of Noizzze” (our allied radio program on ZED Digital) by showcasing interviews with diverse voices and lining up an eclectic range of tunes (by women of course!). Her extra-curricular endeavors have included interning at the Women’s Empowerment department at the Vanuatu Red Cross, championing climate change policy through regional to national levels of the 2017 Evatt Mock-UN Debating Competition, and being a delegate on the 2018 UN Youth Young Diplomat’s Tour through Europe. More recently she has trained as a Climate Reality Leader with Al Gore, interned at the McKell Institute, and travelled to Bangalore, India on an environmental communication’s project with The Water Story, where she helped run the newsroom at the worlds first ‘Water Futures’ conference. She spends her weeks teaching kids to swim, listening to musicology/socio-politics explainers, and scouting for fresh and funky local and international sounds.

Elizabeth Shearon

Publicity Co-manager &
International Representative

Elizabeth is a composer and multidisciplinary artist and works in diverse stylistic directions in all of her mediums. Elizabeth completed her composition degree at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University under Dr. Erik Griswold and was recently awarded the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University’s A.G. Francis Prize for Composition. She pursues her passion for new music through taking part in festivals, master classes and workshops internationally.
Elizabeth holds a distinct creative voice and is influenced by composers as Judith Weir, Elena Firsova, Meredith Monk and Galina Gubaidulina. Growing up in Russia, Elizabeth recalls the women of her youth without many freedoms of choice and expression. On the side of musical activities, Elizabeth is a fine arts enthusiast and visual artist. You can also check out Elizabeth’s fantastic piece, ‘How to Discipline a Curious Mind‘ (2018), which received its world premiered in the 2018 International Women’s Day concert.

Sasha Walker

Graphic and Visual Designer

Sasha is a Brisbane-based artist and Bassoonist, with a keen interest in contemporary collaboration. She is passionate about visibility and opportunities for empowering women + LGBT people in music. Sasha is inspired by spearheads of contemporary bassoon such as Rebekah Heller and Dana Jessen. While primarily focusing on music, Sasha also enjoys visual art; more specifically a love for digital painting.

Anna Rabinowicz

Creative Liaison &
Women of Noise International Women’s Day 2019
Concert co-curator

Raised in Melbourne, Anna has long been enthusiastic about performing and learning about all kinds of musics. Anna is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU) where she is studying flute with Virginia Taylor. She is also an accomplished pianist and violinist, and is passionate about conducting and singing. In 2019 she co-curated the Women of Noise International Women’s Day Concert and directed a performance of Phillip Glass’ Glassworks at QCGU. She has been selected to participate in state and national programs such as the Symphony Australia Scholar Conductors’ Program, Melbourne Youth Orchestra Conductor Development Program, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Secondary Symphony and other MSO-run programs.
Anna is particularly inspired by the amazing women who have taught her both musical, and life skills. She also looks to well-known female musical figures such as Marin Alsop, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Emily Beynon and Unsuk Chin. Anna particularly enjoys orchestral and chamber music, and wishes to share her appreciation and enthusiasm for not only traditional Western Art Music, but also for newer compositions, particularly those by women.