Our Board

Mia Patoulios

ANYO Director and Company Secretary

Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Youth Orchestras

Mia Patoulios is a board director of the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) and Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO).

Mia brings to the ANYO board deep expertise in youth music education, arts leadership, and organisational strategy. At SYO, she leads an ambitious Strategic Plan 2025–2029 focused on expanding the organisation's reach and impact across New South Wales. Her career spans some of Australia's most respected cultural institutions, including the Sydney Opera House and Penrith Performing and Visual Arts.

Mia is a passionate advocate for equitable access to high-quality orchestral training for young Australians.

Ben Burgess

Ben Burgess is a board director of the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) and Executive Director of the Western Australian Youth Orchestras  (WAYO).

Ben’s professional music career began at the age of seventeen when he was accepted onto the casual list of the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO). As an oboist, he performed with professional orchestras across four Australian states over the following decade and recorded as a soloist for ABC Classic.

After studying Arts Management, Ben was appointed Classical Music Manager for the Perth International Arts Festival (2001–2002), before taking on senior event and venue leadership roles at the Australian National University and as General Manager of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

Appointed Executive Director of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra (WAYO) in 2005. Under his leadership, WAYO has achieved sustained artistic excellence, expanded audiences, and built strong, award-winning corporate and philanthropic partnerships.

ANYO Director and Treasurer

Executive Director, Western Australian Youth Orchestras

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Amanda Jolly

ANYO Director 
Executive Director, Queensland Youth Orchestras

Amanda Jolly board director of the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) and Executive Director, Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO)

Amanda has an extensive background in the arts industry, Before joining Queensland Youth Orchestras she was Executive Director of Queensland Theatre Company, where she worked for fifteen years, setting up the Company’s philanthropy department and also serving as Deputy Executive Director. During her tenure at Queensland Theatre, she doubled the Education and Youth programs, expanding significantly into the regions, and led the successful planning and delivery of the new Bille Browne Theatre, a transformational project for the organisation.

Amanda has worked in the arts sector in the United States, Canada and Chile, serving for nine years in the Office of International Relations for the National Department of Cultures in Chile. She also has experience at the State Library of Queensland and with the Victoria State Opera.

Dorian Jones

ANYO Director and Chair

Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Youth Orchestras

Dorian Jones is a board director of the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) and Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne Youth Orchestras  (MYO).

Dorian brings more than 30 years’ experience across arts leadership, music education, venue management, events, and community cultural development. At MYO, he leads one of Australia’s largest youth music organisations, supporting more than 650 young musicians each week across orchestral, jazz, symphonic band, choral, and adaptive music programs.

Dorian’s career spans cultural leadership, strategic development, governance, partnerships, fundraising, and public engagement, with a strong focus on accessible, high-quality arts experiences for young people and communities. Prior to MYO, he held leadership roles across local government and the performing arts sector, including with Manningham Council, City of Stonnington, Chapel Off Chapel, and Theatreworks.

Through his involvement with the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO), Dorian works alongside member organisations across the country to strengthen collaboration, advocacy, and pathways for young musicians, and is a passionate advocate for the role of youth orchestras in building creative, connected, and confident communities

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Nic Jeffries

ANYO Director 

Executive Director, Adelaide Youth Orchestras

Nic Jeffries is a board director of the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) and Executive Director of Adelaide Youth Orchestras (AdYO).

Nic brings to the ANYO board extensive experience in youth music education, arts leadership, and strategic development. At AdYO, he leads South Australia’s largest youth music organisation, supporting almost 300 young musicians across orchestral, wind, percussion, and chamber music programs. His career spans arts management, community engagement, philanthropy, government relations and music performance, with a strong focus on creating meaningful opportunities for young people through the music.

Nic is a passionate advocate for accessible, high-quality music education and the role of youth orchestras in shaping confident, connected, and creative communities.

Kyna Hart

ANYO Director

Chief Executive Officer, Tasmanian Youth Orchestras

Kyna Hart is a board director of the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) and Chief Executive Officer of Tasmanian Youth Orchestras (TYO).

Kyna is a management, communications and engagement specialist, with extensive experience as a lead practitioner and manager on complex private and public-sector projects. A published writer and researcher, she holds a BA(Hons) from the University of Melbourne and an APR. Kyna believes passionately in the value of lifelong musical education and involvement; and is delighted to be working with the TYO family to nurture and support Tasmania’s young musicians and singers in their own musical journeys.

Kyna has worked across a range of sectors including health, community and government relations, infrastructure, funding development, education and research. She has a strong professional focus on co-design: with much of her work focussed on supporting and empowering young people to be involved in the co-creation of youth services and initiatives.

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Dr. Rebecca Rivera

Dr Rebecca Rivera is a board director of the Australian Network of Youth Orchestras (ANYO) and the General Manager and Artistic Director for Music for Canberra (MfC).

Bassoonist and educator Dr Rebecca Rivera has spent more than 25 years performing, teaching and building community through music.

Originally from Long Beach, California, Rebecca moved to Canberra and has since become an active part of the city’s musical life. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in bassoon performance from the University of Southern California, with doctoral emphasis areas in music education, musicology and music theory.

Rebecca’s professional experience includes performances with a wide range of ensembles, including the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, and Pacific Symphony, as well as recital performances with the woodwind trio Third Wheel. She currently performs with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and the National Capital Orchestra. Her experience performing in a variety of musical settings continues to shape her collaborative and practical approach to teaching.

ANYO Director 
General Manager and Artistic Director, Music for Canberra (MfC)