DR PRUDENCE E DUNSTONE

Maryleigh Hand and I have been working together for many years, performing in recitals, concerts, soirees and recordings. It gives me great pleasure to introduce her here on my web-site. If you are interested in engaging us as a duo for performance, please contact us by email.

— Prudence Dunstone

Maryleigh Hand—Biography

Originally a language teacher, Maryleigh was inspired by her lifelong passion for music and words to become an accompanist and vocal coach. She studied piano with Lance Dossor at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide, specialising in the art of accompaniment and training in the studios of Nancy Thomas, Beryl Leske, Arnold Matters, David Cubbin, James Whitehead and many others. Now a highly experienced recital artist, she has recorded for the ABC and 2MBSFM.

During a long career, Maryleigh has enjoyed associations with many distinguished artists such as Elisabeth Campbell, Joanna Cole, Timothy DuFore, Jane Edwards, Lauris Elms, Didier Frederic, Ghillian Sullivan, David Wakeham and Jonathon Welch.

In 2001, Maryleigh performed with soprano Joanna Cole in Burma and Thailand, a tour sponsored by the Australian Embassy and the Strand Hotel in Rangoon to celebrate the Centenary of Australian Federation and of the Strand. This was a highlight in her commitment to bringing music to people in such unconventional locations as Leigh Creek in the Outback, Lord Howe Island, and the inaugural concert series in Taronga Park Zoo. 

Other musical highlights include the Festival of Sydney in 2002 and a CD of piano solos in 2003. A 2007 recital with baritone Didier Frederic, "A French Feast" combined vocal and piano repertoire, some from Maryleigh's CD.

Maryleigh has links with various tertiary institutions such as the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she was for many years a member of staff in the Vocal and Opera Studies Unit and the Access Centre. For the Newcastle Conservatorium, she was accompanist and coach, assisting in the preparation of many recitals, mostly at master's level. She also tutored in accompaniment and was associate artist for the series of recitals given by Dr. Prudence Dunstone as part of her Ph.D.  She was also on the staff at Wesley Institute.

Maryleigh coaches regularly for a singing studio in Bathurst and teaches piano at Beverly Hills Girls and Canley Vale High Schools. Her private studio attracts a diverse clientele of singers, instrumentalists and piano students from beginners to professionals.

A founding member of the Accompanists' Guild of NSW, Maryleigh was also a committee member at the inception of the SA Guild and a tutor in the SA TAFE course in accompaniment.

Maryleigh is in demand for major competitions and is the official vocal accompanist for the Cowra and St.George Eisteddfodau. She has also been an official accompanist for the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition in Townsville.