LCO Management Committee

Dr. Lewes Peddell is an Australian conductor, educator, and academic with a career spanning significant roles in Australia and the United States. As the founder and President of the Logan City Orchestras, he is dedicated to creating opportunities for musicians to engage in orchestral music-making and enriching the cultural life of the Logan region.

Dr. Peddell commenced his tertiary studies at the Brisbane College of Advanced Education (now part of QUT), where he qualified as a music and mathematics teacher. He then continued his studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Diploma in Music Performance, specialising in orchestral trumpet. During this time, he performed as a casual trumpet player with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Victoria Opera Orchestra. He was a member of the Queensland Pops Orchestra and the first Queensland Youth Orchestra (now Queensland Youth Symphony) and performed with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra Soloists during a Pacific tour.

His teaching career commenced at St. Paul’s School in Brisbane, where he served as Director of Music for a decade. There, he led all aspects of the school’s music programs, fostering a vibrant music education and performance culture. It was during this time that he began his conducting studies under formative teachers, including Dr. Ralph Hultgren and Dr. Barry Kopetz (USA).

Pursuing further studies, Dr. Peddell earned a prestigious scholarship to the University of Minnesota, where he completed a Master of Music in Conducting and a PhD. His doctoral thesis examined the influence of conductors’ behaviour on listeners’ perception of expressiveness. While at Minnesota, he was awarded the Minnesota Orchestra Pennock Conducting Fellowship and the Harry Begian Music Education Scholarship and contributed an original composition to the university’s sesquicentennial celebrations.

Following his studies, Dr Peddell was appointed Director of Orchestra and Bands at Gettysburg College’s Sunderman Conservatory of Music in the United States. He conducted ensembles such as the Gettysburg College-Community Orchestra and Wind Symphony and taught courses in conducting, music education and instrumental teaching techniques. During this time, he was in demand as a guest conductor for honour ensembles in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. He also continued his conducting studies with Stuart Malina, Principal Conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.

Returning to Australia, Dr Peddell held leadership roles at Canterbury College in Waterford, Logan, including Director of Arts Academy and Acting Director of Curriculum. During this period, he served as President of the Queensland chapter and National President of the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association (ABODA). He also served as a guest conductor with ensembles such as the Queensland Wind Orchestra, Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra, and Queensland Wind and Brass.

Currently, Dr. Peddell is a Senior Lecturer at Southern Cross University, where his research focuses on mathematics education and the intersection of school improvement and professional associations in supporting educators. He is also embarking on research into community music-making and its social and artistic benefits to musicians.

Since 2011, Dr. Peddell has proudly called Logan City home, where he resides with his wife and two daughters. He continues to advocate for orchestral music-making and the growth of the Logan City Orchestras as a vibrant cultural hub.

Stuart O'Neill is a solicitor with extensive experience in business succession and estate planning for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. His expertise encompasses wills, trusts and estates, corporate and commercial law, and property law. Stuart is recognised for his problem-solving capabilities and commercial acumen in legal matters, bringing insight and value to all his engagements. He is a long-term adviser to numerous non-profit and charitable organisations interested in social justice for disaffected young people. Beyond his professional endeavours, Stuart is an avid guitarist and enjoys supporting his children in their various pursuits, including music.

Rachelle Lee is a seasoned music educator, conductor, and event specialist with decades of experience in youth and community music. She began her career with the Brisbane Regional Youth Orchestra (BRYO), serving as concertmaster and making a significant and lasting impact. Rachelle has performed with the Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS) the Queensland Youth Orchestra Chamber Orchestra, and participated in the Australian Youth Orchestra National Camp. She has also served as a conductor for the BRYO Chamber Orchestra and currently leads BRYO Scherzo Strings, nurturing young musicians to achieve their full potential. Rachelle has managed and coordinated major projects for BRYO, including a tour to Sydney, where Scherzo Strings participated in workshops at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a mass performance at Brisbane City Hall. She also supported coordinating BRYO’s participation in the New York Music Festival, showcasing the ensemble’s talents internationally.

As coordinator of strings at Canterbury College, Rachelle leads a vibrant string program, from the immersive Year 3 ensemble to the college’s most advanced string ensembles. Her dedication extends beyond education to event coordination and stage management, where her expertise ensures seamless, impactful productions. Her stage management experience spans from school musicals to large-scale performances such as Opera in the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens with Vavachi Entertainment, highlighting her versatility and commitment to excellence in performance.

Rachelle studied violin and viola under Kerry Smith. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from QUT with a major in mathematics and completed numerous additional units of study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music as part of her studies. She later earned a Bachelor of Education from QUT, equipping her to excel in teaching and nurturing young musicians.

Rachelle’s passion for music education and commitment to developing young string students and orchestras continue to impact the music community profoundly.

Louise Wheatley is a dedicated musician, audio engineer and music producer deeply committed to enriching Logan City’s arts scene. As a member and previously Vice President of Assorted Grains Inc., an artist-run not-for-profit organisation, she plays a pivotal role in creating unique events and opportunities that elevate the profile of the arts in Logan. Her efforts also involve being on the Management Committee as Production Manager and Technical Events Supervisor of the Underdog Film Fest, Logan’s first-ever film festival that took place at Kingston Butter Factory on September 21, 2024 – a huge success fostering community engagement through film and the arts as well as providing support to the tourism sector in the Logan region.

In addition to her organisational leadership, Louise co-owns Wheatley Street Productions, an audio and video production studio. Her expertise in production has been instrumental in projects like the community anthem “Stronger Together,” which she co-wrote and produced, showcasing her dedication to community collaboration.

Louise’s passion for nurturing local talent is evident in her work with emerging artists. She produced the debut album for the duo Edgy & Hedgy, highlighting her commitment to fostering young musicians.

Through her multifaceted contributions, Louise Wheatley continues to be a driving force in Logan City’s cultural development, enhancing the community’s artistic vibrancy and supporting the growth of local artists.

Tim Li is an Honorary Lecturer at The University of Queensland (UQ) and serves as the Director of the UQ Chamber Music Academy. He earned his Master of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Waikato, specialising in Piano Performance and Chamber Music under the tutelage of Katherine Austin and James Tennant. After advancing his studies privately in Hannover, Germany, with Professor Erika Lux,

Tim relocated to Brisbane in 2012. Since then, he has become a highly sought-after collaborative pianist and instrumental coach, actively fostering Brisbane’s youth chamber music scene. Notably, he coached the Amogus Trio, winners of the 2021 Musica Viva Strike a Chord National Chamber Music Championship, as well as The IncrediBows and Trio Bellissimo, both of which were among the 12 national finalists at the 2022 Grand Finals in Melbourne. Trio Bellissimo has also performed at the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, Germany, and was invited to perform at “Klassiek op het Amstelveld” in Amsterdam.

Since 2015, Tim has served as the Coordinator of Piano and Chamber Music at Canterbury College, where he leads a successful chamber music program.