Meet our Musical Directors
WASWE and WASWE Swing are proud to be led by very talented Musical Directors, all of whom possess the musical experience to help the groups create wonderful music with an approach that is professional and enjoyable.
Ross Brennan
Wind Ensemble
Ross commenced his music education at the age of 11 studying clarinet and continued to John Forrest SHS receiving the Music Prize in 1976. Ross received a Diploma of Teaching (Music) and a Bachelor of Education (Music) from Edith Cowan University and has since taught in schools throughout the Department of Education in Western Australia. Ross has also performed in various bands including Government Schools Concert Band, WA Youth Concert Band and WASWE, and has toured with these groups across the world. Ross has been the Director of Music at Carine SHS since 1994 and is now the Head of Arts. Ross is also the director of the CSHS Senior Concert Band and Orchestra. Ross has been a part of WASWE for over 15 years on clarinet, saxophone and percussion and has now been the Musical Director for more than 10 years.
Ivan Shaw
Swing Band
Ivan was born in Perth and has played keyboards and saxophone since high school (Perth Modern). He graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 1996 after completing a Bachelor of Jazz (Arranging). Ivan plays professionally in bands around Perth, and teaches music at schools in the metropolitan area. He has been playing saxophone with WASWE since 2008, and is currently director of the WASWE Swing Band.
Ted Tait
Wind Ensemble
Ted commenced playing brass instruments at the age of eight but did not commence the tuba until well into his thirties. Along with French Horn, trombone, trumpet and euphonium, he has spent many years performing and teaching these instruments. He joined the Navy Reserve band as a musician in 1976 and was previously Chief Petty Officer of the band. He will soon retire a full time fireman, teaches brass in schools and conducts two bands on a regular basis. Ted joined WASWE over 20 years ago and currently co-directs the wind ensemble.
Ventia Webber
Wind Ensemble
Ventia hails from the snowy state of Minnesota, USA where she played in school bands throughout middle school and high school. As a Year 12 student in high school, she auditioned and participated in All-state band and received the John Philip Sousa award. Her mono- cultural upbringing gave her an appetite for diversity and pushed her far from the nest to attend college in the state of Georgia where she experienced her first cultural transition. Since then, Ventia has earned an MM in Conducting and a BS in Music Education. She has taught music and conducted concert bands on three different continents fulfilling her 7th grade dream to “be a band director overseas.” Ventia joined WASWE in 2016. She is currently juggling teaching part-time at Trinity College in East Perth and being a mum to a 2 year old and new baby.