the People of QUAYS

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Fr Duncan Gorwood

Director and Chief Executive Officer

QUAYS was established under the leadership of Fr Duncan, whose vision is to make high quality choral training accessible to children and young people within a welcoming and inclusive community.

Born and raised in Yorkshire, Duncan first trained as an opera singer before qualifying as a teacher. He spent much of his career working in special education, supporting young people and families and developing a strong commitment to inclusion and opportunity for all.

Duncan brings together his background in music, education, and community leadership to support programmes that nurture confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging through singing.

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Rosemary Kirkman

Director of Choral Outreach

Raised in a musical family, Rosemary joined her first choir at the age of nine and has been passionate about singing ever since. She studied voice and piano going on to complete a Bachelor of Contemporary Music at JMC Academy, an AMEB Associate Diploma in Musical Theatre, and a Graduate Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from the Queensland Conservatorium.

Rosemary is an experienced choir director, singing teacher, and early childhood music educator. She has conducted the Cannon Hill Anglican College Community Choir and the Queensland Show Choir’s Poco Voci ensemble, and continues to teach private voice and early childhood music alongside her work with QUAYS.

A trained dancer and performer, she has appeared in musical theatre and cabaret productions across Brisbane and is passionate about helping young singers grow in confidence, develop strong vocal technique, and build a lifelong love of music.

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TOmasz Holownia

Director and Chief Opperating Officer

Tomasz Holownia is a composer and choral singer born in Melbourne and now based in Brisbane. He completed a Bachelor of Classical Voice with Honours at the Queensland Conservatorium in 2017, followed by postgraduate studies in Opera in 2018.

Tomasz has worked as a choral singer in Australia and the United Kingdom. Alongside his professional career as a software engineer, he remains actively involved in composition and choral music.

His works have been performed by ensembles, parishes, and cathedrals across Brisbane, including St Stephen’s Cathedral, St John’s Cathedral, and the Lucis Ensemble. His compositions include large scale sacred works as well as a number of motets written for liturgical and concert performance.