Staff of the Music Department
- Director of Music - Mr Christopher Trikilis
- Assistant Director of Music - Margaret Tesch-Muller
- Cathedral Organist - Dr Phillip Gearing
- Vocal Specialist - Mr Kevin Gomez
- Music Administrator - Ms D'Arne Sleeman
Christopher Trikilis
Director of Music
Christopher Trikilis has established himself as one of Australia’s leading organists and church musicians. At the Cathedral Christopher spearheads one of Australia's busiest and dynamic sacred music centres: conducting its choirs, playing the Cathedral's renowned Jubilee Pipe Organ, and curating the annual concert series. Commencing piano lessons at a young age, he completed music studies at the University of Melbourne studying with John Mallinson (organ) and Mark McGee (piano) while also being Organ Scholar at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne. Maintaining an active performance schedule both as soloist and accompanist, Christopher has performed extensively across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America. He is a Director of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia, a former Vice-President of the Society of Organists Victoria, and a former editor of nationwide 'Organ Australia' magazine. Christopher is also responsible for the installation of pipe organs, and conservation projects in a number of churches over recent years. His playing has featured on the national broadcasters of Australia (ABC) and Croatia (HRT), alongside CD, DVD and Youtube recordings. Previous organ posts have been at Melbourne’s iconic Basilica of Our Lady of Victories, Camberwell, St Patrick’s Church, Mentone (with its heritage-listed 1862 Nicholson organ), and as music tutor to Corpus Christi Seminary, Carlton. Christopher remains in demand for recitals, adjudication and teaching. www.trikilis.com.au
Director of Music
Christopher Trikilis has established himself as one of Australia’s leading organists and church musicians. At the Cathedral Christopher spearheads one of Australia's busiest and dynamic sacred music centres: conducting its choirs, playing the Cathedral's renowned Jubilee Pipe Organ, and curating the annual concert series. Commencing piano lessons at a young age, he completed music studies at the University of Melbourne studying with John Mallinson (organ) and Mark McGee (piano) while also being Organ Scholar at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne. Maintaining an active performance schedule both as soloist and accompanist, Christopher has performed extensively across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America. He is a Director of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia, a former Vice-President of the Society of Organists Victoria, and a former editor of nationwide 'Organ Australia' magazine. Christopher is also responsible for the installation of pipe organs, and conservation projects in a number of churches over recent years. His playing has featured on the national broadcasters of Australia (ABC) and Croatia (HRT), alongside CD, DVD and Youtube recordings. Previous organ posts have been at Melbourne’s iconic Basilica of Our Lady of Victories, Camberwell, St Patrick’s Church, Mentone (with its heritage-listed 1862 Nicholson organ), and as music tutor to Corpus Christi Seminary, Carlton. Christopher remains in demand for recitals, adjudication and teaching. www.trikilis.com.au
Margaret Tesch-Muller
Assistant Director of Music
Margaret Tesch-Muller is an Australian composer, conductor and soprano whose work spans from concert halls to churches to classrooms. A regularly commissioned composer, her music is recognised for its lyrical lines, intriguing harmonies, and emotional depth. Her music has been performed throughout Australia and internationally, including performances at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre and the National Opera Centre in New York City. Her work has been broadcast on ABC Classic, 2MBS and 4MBS and her solo work Snow and Shadow recently featured on acclaimed harpist Emily Granger’s album A Thing of Beauty.
Margaret is the founder and Artistic Director of ‘Australia’s orchestra of voices’, VOSTRA, and conductor of Colla Voce at Brisbane Boy’s College. An engaging and insightful musician, she is in demand as a guest conductor and adjudicator throughout Australia. She has studied conducting with Alice Farhnam, Richard Gill and John Lynch, and has worked extensively with choirs across three continents. As a soprano, Margaret enjoys both solo and choral singing, performing regularly with the world-renowned choir, The Australian Voices.
Margaret taught theory and aural studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for six years and recently completed a Master of Music (Composition) there under the supervision of leading Australian composers Paul Stanhope and Liza Lim. She also holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Vocal Performance from the University of Queensland, with secondary studies in composition and conducting, and a Bachelor of Arts in Studies of Religion and Classics.
Margaret is deeply committed to music as a means of connection. She is passionate about pursuing collaboration and building community, while fostering a culture of trust and safety where artistic freedom and excellence can flourish.
Assistant Director of Music
Margaret Tesch-Muller is an Australian composer, conductor and soprano whose work spans from concert halls to churches to classrooms. A regularly commissioned composer, her music is recognised for its lyrical lines, intriguing harmonies, and emotional depth. Her music has been performed throughout Australia and internationally, including performances at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre and the National Opera Centre in New York City. Her work has been broadcast on ABC Classic, 2MBS and 4MBS and her solo work Snow and Shadow recently featured on acclaimed harpist Emily Granger’s album A Thing of Beauty.
Margaret is the founder and Artistic Director of ‘Australia’s orchestra of voices’, VOSTRA, and conductor of Colla Voce at Brisbane Boy’s College. An engaging and insightful musician, she is in demand as a guest conductor and adjudicator throughout Australia. She has studied conducting with Alice Farhnam, Richard Gill and John Lynch, and has worked extensively with choirs across three continents. As a soprano, Margaret enjoys both solo and choral singing, performing regularly with the world-renowned choir, The Australian Voices.
Margaret taught theory and aural studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for six years and recently completed a Master of Music (Composition) there under the supervision of leading Australian composers Paul Stanhope and Liza Lim. She also holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Vocal Performance from the University of Queensland, with secondary studies in composition and conducting, and a Bachelor of Arts in Studies of Religion and Classics.
Margaret is deeply committed to music as a means of connection. She is passionate about pursuing collaboration and building community, while fostering a culture of trust and safety where artistic freedom and excellence can flourish.
Dr. Phillip Gearing
Cathedral Organist
The winner of several prizes and competitions, Phillip Gearing is an acclaimed organist, chamber musician, Lieder accompanist, orchestral keyboardist and choral director. Phillip holds a PhD in the Field of Music, and has previously held positions as Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Southern Queensland (1992-2014), Director of Music at St Luke's Toowoomba (2007-2012), Acting Organist at St John's Cathedral Brisbane (2013-2014), and Director of Music at St Mary's Kangaroo Point (2014-2022). He is currently Organist at The Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane, and since 2015 has been Accompanist to St Peters Chorale, with whom he has toured internationally several times. In addition, Phillip is a casual musician with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and appears frequently with Canticum Chamber Choir. He is on the Lord Mayor's Organ Committee, playing frequently on the world-famous Willis Organ at Brisbane City Hall, and is a Director of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia.
Phillip has performed throughout Australia including for the Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord, and for centenary celebrations of the organs of Sydney Town Hall and Brisbane City Hall. He has also performed throughout Britain (including Bath Abbey, Bristol Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral London, Christ Church Cathedral Oxford, Rochester Cathedral, Truro Cathedral, Wells Cathedral) and in Belgium, France, Austria (Salzburg Cathedral), Denmark and Norway, where he has been broadcast on radio.
In 2007 he released his solo CD Celebrate to mark the centenary of the Norman & Beard organ of St Luke's Toowoomba. As a composer, his seven-movement choral cycle Pro patria mori has been recorded by the Winthrop Singers, and Only the Light (commissioned and recorded by Canticum Chamber Choir) is regularly heard on ABC Classic-FM. Phillip's Missa brevis for unaccompanied choir has been performed in several Australian capital cities.
Cathedral Organist
The winner of several prizes and competitions, Phillip Gearing is an acclaimed organist, chamber musician, Lieder accompanist, orchestral keyboardist and choral director. Phillip holds a PhD in the Field of Music, and has previously held positions as Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Southern Queensland (1992-2014), Director of Music at St Luke's Toowoomba (2007-2012), Acting Organist at St John's Cathedral Brisbane (2013-2014), and Director of Music at St Mary's Kangaroo Point (2014-2022). He is currently Organist at The Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane, and since 2015 has been Accompanist to St Peters Chorale, with whom he has toured internationally several times. In addition, Phillip is a casual musician with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and appears frequently with Canticum Chamber Choir. He is on the Lord Mayor's Organ Committee, playing frequently on the world-famous Willis Organ at Brisbane City Hall, and is a Director of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia.
Phillip has performed throughout Australia including for the Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord, and for centenary celebrations of the organs of Sydney Town Hall and Brisbane City Hall. He has also performed throughout Britain (including Bath Abbey, Bristol Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral London, Christ Church Cathedral Oxford, Rochester Cathedral, Truro Cathedral, Wells Cathedral) and in Belgium, France, Austria (Salzburg Cathedral), Denmark and Norway, where he has been broadcast on radio.
In 2007 he released his solo CD Celebrate to mark the centenary of the Norman & Beard organ of St Luke's Toowoomba. As a composer, his seven-movement choral cycle Pro patria mori has been recorded by the Winthrop Singers, and Only the Light (commissioned and recorded by Canticum Chamber Choir) is regularly heard on ABC Classic-FM. Phillip's Missa brevis for unaccompanied choir has been performed in several Australian capital cities.
Kevin Gomez
Vocal Specialist
Kevin has a lengthy career as conductor, singer, music teacher, voice teacher, arranger and editor.While finishing his conducting degree from the University of the Philippines, Kevin was regularly performing with the Ateneo Chamber Singers, the Villancico Vocal Ensemble and, for a short time, with Aleron. He was also Music Director of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel from 2015 - 2019 and the Ateneo Resident Students Association Chorale from 2013-2018.
In 2023, after receiving voice lessons with Christopher Arceo through the studio's Vocal Scholarship Program, he took up a Master of Music Studies in Opera Performance at the Queensland Conservatory and studied with Dr. Margaret Schindler.
Under his belt are several roles and solos in opera scenes and oratorio productions as well as collaborations in various concerts and recitals with different artists in the Philippines and in Australia.
He is also Artistic Director and Music director of The Chronicle Singers which blends his specialization in choral music through his many years of experience in the field, and his newfound love for theatre through his recent artistic endeavors.
Vocal Specialist
Kevin has a lengthy career as conductor, singer, music teacher, voice teacher, arranger and editor.While finishing his conducting degree from the University of the Philippines, Kevin was regularly performing with the Ateneo Chamber Singers, the Villancico Vocal Ensemble and, for a short time, with Aleron. He was also Music Director of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel from 2015 - 2019 and the Ateneo Resident Students Association Chorale from 2013-2018.
In 2023, after receiving voice lessons with Christopher Arceo through the studio's Vocal Scholarship Program, he took up a Master of Music Studies in Opera Performance at the Queensland Conservatory and studied with Dr. Margaret Schindler.
Under his belt are several roles and solos in opera scenes and oratorio productions as well as collaborations in various concerts and recitals with different artists in the Philippines and in Australia.
He is also Artistic Director and Music director of The Chronicle Singers which blends his specialization in choral music through his many years of experience in the field, and his newfound love for theatre through his recent artistic endeavors.
D'Arne Sleeman
Music Administrator
D'Arne is a graduate of Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University is a Brisbane-based singer who has worked in many genres from opera, music and live theatre through to being a professional cantor in the Catholic church. A regular artist with Opera Queensland, she has performed in over fifty mainstage productions and toured for three years with their primary school production of “The Songbird” in the title role and as tour manager.
D’Arne is a recognised adjudicator. Since 2012, she has adjudicated up and down the east coast of Australia, for many regional Eisteddfod's, plus several school music festivals, the International Music Examination Board and for Queensland Vocal Competition.
She looks forward to heading to Cairns for their regional eisteddfod in 2026. She has taught singing at Clayfield College and St Aidan’s, and currently teaches from a private studio. As a freelance artist, she performs regularly throughout Brisbane and regional areas. She has performed internationally in Cortona Italy, and with Opera Box in Wales and London.
D’Arne has produced and performed in several children’s performances for Brisbane City Council, toured around the Emerald region with Festival of Bands on an Australian Arts Council grant and produced a series of senior morning melody events for regional performances throughout Queensland.
As an administrator, D'Arne's background is in event management and ticketing roles within QPAC and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
Music Administrator
D'Arne is a graduate of Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University is a Brisbane-based singer who has worked in many genres from opera, music and live theatre through to being a professional cantor in the Catholic church. A regular artist with Opera Queensland, she has performed in over fifty mainstage productions and toured for three years with their primary school production of “The Songbird” in the title role and as tour manager.
D’Arne is a recognised adjudicator. Since 2012, she has adjudicated up and down the east coast of Australia, for many regional Eisteddfod's, plus several school music festivals, the International Music Examination Board and for Queensland Vocal Competition.
She looks forward to heading to Cairns for their regional eisteddfod in 2026. She has taught singing at Clayfield College and St Aidan’s, and currently teaches from a private studio. As a freelance artist, she performs regularly throughout Brisbane and regional areas. She has performed internationally in Cortona Italy, and with Opera Box in Wales and London.
D’Arne has produced and performed in several children’s performances for Brisbane City Council, toured around the Emerald region with Festival of Bands on an Australian Arts Council grant and produced a series of senior morning melody events for regional performances throughout Queensland.
As an administrator, D'Arne's background is in event management and ticketing roles within QPAC and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
