Published on 13 January 2025
Griffith’s Australia Day Ambassador is Ms. Michelle Leonard OAM- Founder and Artistic Director of the not-for-profit, Moorambilla Voices
Michelle Leonard OAM is the founder, Artistic Director, and Conductor of Moorambilla Voices. This nationally awarded program seeks at its core to give rural children the rare opportunity to sing, dance, record, tour and create incredible performances with artists of the highest calibre. It has been featured in two documentaries – Wide Open Sky (Netflix)and Outback Choir (ABC), Sydney TEDXSYDNEY 2018 and 2019 ABC Christmas Special. Moorambilla Voices was honoured to receive the prestigious 2023 APRA AMCOS National LUMINARY award in recognition of its long-term commitment to artistic excellence.
Michelle is also the founding Artistic Director and Conductor of Leichhardt Espresso Chorus which celebrates 25 years in 2023.
Michelle is widely sought after as a choral clinician on Australian repertoire and appears regularly as a guest speaker, adjudicator, and workshop facilitator. She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for Services to the Community and Performing Arts in 2017, 2018 the Sydney University Alumni of the year award for services to the arts, 2019 was named in the Financial reviews top 100 most influential women in Australia and in 2023 was National runner up in the Agri futures award. She grew up in Coonamble and is absolutely inspired by the energy in the landscape and people of western NSW.