UNISONg Choir Directors
Lynette Hogan, Founding UNISONg Community Choir Inc. Director
(January 2025 - present)
(UNISONg WWHC Choir Director: July 2022-December, 2024)
Prior to becoming an incorporated association in January 2025, UNISONg was a well being choir programme managed by a volunteer committee for Wagga Women's Health Centre (see History). In July 2022, UNISONg WWHC Choir welcomed Lynette Hogan to the position of Choir Director. Then in January 2025, Lynette became the Founding Choir Director of UNISONg Community Choir Inc. and is currently assisted by Choir Director, Alison Hardy.
Lynette completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at The University of New South Wales, achieving first class honours. Her research paper on performing Lieder was later published in the Journal of Voice. She has her Associate of Music (AMusA) in Classical Voice and a Masters in Primary Teaching.
Lynette’s love of singing with a group began in high school where it became, and remains, a vital part of keeping her heart full and her mind invigorated. She has sung in large choirs, smaller vocal ensembles and vocal quartets. In Wagga, she has been a member of The Cantelina Singers and Murrumbidgee Magic.
Lynette also enjoys being involved in stage productions. She was in the chorus of Pacific Opera’s production of ‘Magic Flute’ and ‘The Long Ride Home’, an opera by Thomas Rimes. She has had lead roles in shows with Life in the Spotlight and SoAct. Lynette performed the role of Mrs Corney in the Wagga Civic Theatre’s production of Oliver, Mrs Banks in Bidgee Production’s Mary Poppins and Mabel in SoAct's Pirates of Penzance..
Lynette has been teaching singing and piano privately for more than 15 years. She was a trainee tutor for the Australian Girls’ Choir and she has been the conductor of Mater Dei Catholic College’s choir, a quartet for teen girls, called Fourte, and La Chorale Française, Wagga’s French Choir. Recently she has coordinated an inclusive children's choir for the Coolamon Carols in the Park.
Lynette is delighted at the opportunity to be conducting the UNISONg Community Choir, as it allows her to combine her love of music with her passion for supporting women. "UNISONg really exemplifies how the focus can be on enjoyment, support and connection whilst still creating quality music—these things aren't mutually exclusive."
Alison Hardy, UNISONg Community Choir Inc. Director
(January 2025 - present)
(UNISONg WWHC Choir Director: July 2024-December, 2024)
Prior to becoming an incorporated association in January 2025, UNISONg was a well being choir programme managed by a volunteer committee for Wagga Women's Health Centre (see History). In July 2024, UNISONg WWHC Choir welcomed Alison Hardy to the position of Choir Director when Lynette Hogan began maternity leave. In January 2025, Alison became a Choir Director of UNISONg Community Choir Inc.
Originally from Sydney, Ali moved to Adelaide in 2020 to study classical voice at the University of Adelaide. Whilst in Adelaide she enlisted with the Australian Army Band as a reservist. In 2023 she enquired about a full time position and in 2024 arrived in Wagga Wagga, posting into the Australian Army Band Kapooka.
Ali's singing journey began in 2006 when she joined her primary school choir. She immediately fell in love with singing. In primary school she had opportunities through the NSW Arts Unit to sing at the Sydney Opera House and the Schools' Spectacular. Ali loved those experiences so much that she continued pursuing music in high school and joined Sydney Children's Choir. Now with more high profile performances under her belt, the lifelong passion for choirs was solidified. in 2017 she embarked on her first international tour with the Gondwana Choirs and in 2018 attended her first National Choral School as a member of Gondwana Chorale. In this ensemble she has had the privilege of participating in three international tours, showcasing Australian choral music to the global community.
With such an affectivity to singing, Ali loves to share her knowledge and devotion with others. Before directing UNISONg, her experience leading ensembles mostly came from within the choir, taking the occasional sectional. She was a tutor at NSW Junior State Music Camp in 2024, and taught private vocal lessons when she was in high school. While Ali has not been involved in any musical theatre productions, in 2025 she is getting involved in more local Wagga Wagga music and will be Musical Director for SOACT's production of & Juliet in September 2025.
Ali has been incredibly excited to have the opportunity to direct UNISONg and share her enthusiasm for group singing and musical connection. "These ladies bring me so much joy each week!"
Judy Ferguson, Founding UNISONg WWHC Choir Director
(June 2021-July 2022)
Judy Ferguson is one of Wagga Wagga's busiest choir directors—many people would have seen her directing and performing with Murrumbidgee Magic, The Wagga City Ruby Male Choir and various school choirs.
Over the last few years, Judy has also directed an informal gathering of women who came together for eight weeks to sing in a group and perform at fundraising events for the Wagga Women's Health Centre and for International Women's Day events. When a number of this singing group decided to form a Wagga women's community choir, Judy was the first person the new community choir committee contacted.
The twelve months that Judy was able to dedicate to the new choir was exceptional and she even kept them singing online during Covid lockdowns. Judy also directed the choir at their first local performance at the Civic Theatre. Judy was a wonderful founding director for UNISONg and gave the choir a strong base from which to grow.
