CREATIVE TEAM
All our creative contributors are highly acclaimed in their own right, having worked on Olympic Opening Ceremonies, with Grammy Winning Songwriters, for Dreamworks, Disney and much more...
By working together, we are able to create programs where education and entertainment are intrinsically entwined and quality is priority. Scroll down to meet some of our main contributors.
Kathy Prosser
Founder, Writer and Creative Director
Founder and Creative Director of Educational Entertainment (USA) and sister company Possum Music (Australia), Kathy is committed to providing quality entertainment that is both
educational and affordable to children and families across the globe.
Kathy started her music studies and lifetime of accolades at age 5. A multi-instrumentalist including classical piano, acoustic guitar and didjeridoo, Kathy now focusses her talents on writing. She has had many songs shortlisted across the genres of Children's Music, Country Music, Ballad, Open Song, Folk Music, Pop, and Australiana, and won a plethora awards over a 40 year span.
Kathy believes children are smart. As future custodians of the planet and the leaders of tomorrow they need to be! In a world bombarded with information, Kathy leverages her music to create meaningful and lasting connections during the most impressionable stage of brain developement. Connections that will educate and motivate children to be the best version of themselves they can possibly be.
Credits include:
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ASA Children’s Song of the Year 2014
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USA Children’s Song of the Year Finalist 2014
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ASA Open Song of the Year 2014
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ASA Children’s Song of the Year 2013
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ASA Children’s Song of the Year Finalist 2011
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ASC Children’s Song of the Year 2010
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ASC Founder’s Encouragement Award 2010
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ASC Children’s Song of the Year 2009
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and many more...
Steve Axtell
Puppet maker to the stars
Steve Axtell is President and Creative Director of Axtell Expressions Inc., Ventura CA. Designing and creating puppets since 1982, Steve and his team strive to expand creativity in the family and kid show entertainment field, pushing the boundaries of puppets, magic and animatronics in new directions.
Steve's award-winning DVD AxTelevision won the Parents Choice Award 2005, The Dove Award 2005, The Telly Awards 2005,
U.N.I.M.A. Citation of Excellence in Puppet Manipulation 2006,
KIDS FIRST! Film Festival: Best Documentary ages 5-8, the Genesis Excellence in 3D Animaion 2004, and Videographer Award of Excellence - Combining 3D animation & Live Action.
Credits include:
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DreamWorks
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Walt Disney Company
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McDonalds Corporation
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Capital One
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Twentieth Century Fox
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Six Flags Theme Parks
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LegoLand Theme Park
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Terry Fator
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Shaq
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and many more...
Charisse Parnell
Choreographer
Charisse is the founder of The Dance Collective, Perth Australia. She has danced professionally for TV commercials, fashion parades, opening ceremonies and corporate shows, choreographed for The Veronica's, Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, the WA Youth Awards, StyleAid, Gold Plate Awards, Telethon, primary & high school performances, summer camps in New York and adjudicated festivals, talent shows and break competitions. Her training in Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap and Ballet includes the Contemporary Dance Centre (Perth), Broadway Dance Centre (New York) and Pineapple Studios (London).
Charisse holds a Bachelor of Arts (Marketing and the Media), a Diploma of Education (Primary Teaching) and has won state-wide awards in recognition of the highly successful dance program she coordinated at Rossmoyne Senior High School from 2002-2006. As well as directing TDC, Charisse has lectured at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and the University of Western Australia, written for the Curriculum Council, delivered professional development workshops for teachers across WA and worked as a TEE marker and consultant for the Department of Education & Training. In 2011, Charisse was nominated for Australian of the Year -- Local Hero Award and in 2012 the Western Australian of the Year "Community Category" for creating The Dance Collective as "a safe haven and an outlet; a place where young people can go to escape the stressors that early life can bring and transform it into something positive in a physical, psychological and social sense" (Weng Ho, Rio Tinto, nominee).
Richelle Russ
Associate
Richelle Russ is an esteemed Associate and Director of Educational Entertainment, Australia (Possum Music). Richelle has a vast variety of skills in both the education and training industry and in the area of community development.
A well established performer, Richelle known as Ricky Possum, has a delightful stage presence which children find irresistible. Like the Pied Piper, she has a terrific ability to connect with the children and really draw them into the moment.
Ricky’s passion for drama began at a young age with her talents being awarded at the outset. She is an experienced musician having fronted several well established bands.
Ricky has also worked in the area of community development for over 12 years, focusing on young people, and more recently in the field of education and training.
Paul Stephanadis
Engineer & Videographer
Paul Stephanadis, mastering engineer founded Viking Lounge Mastering in Denmark 1992. Now in Sydney Australia, Paul collaborates with clients from all over the world, always delivering world class results.
Dubbed as 'Golden Ears','The Professor' and 'The Master' by many industry professionals. Paul has the creative insight to listen to a mix and know how it can be enhanced. His mission is always to elevate what the producer has tried to convey without changing the essence of the mix. His years of experience and professional but easy going attitude is what makes his clients come back to him time and time again.
Credits include:
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Athens 2004 Olympic Games
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Eurovision Song Contest Copenhagen 2014
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Eurovision Song Contest Baku 2012
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Eurovision Song Contest Moscow 2009
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Eurovision Song ContestBelgrade 2008
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Adam Brand
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Wendy Matthews
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Altiyan Childs
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and many more...
In addition, Paul is an extremely talented videographer. His credits include Australian Video of the Year 2015 and a nomination for CMC Australian Video of the Year.
Sven Tydeman
Music Producer
Sven Tydeman (B. Music) CEO of Kittygroove Productions SydneyAustralia, has co-written, produced, recorded, managed, distributed and collaborated with some of Australia’s most successful music artists. Sven has been working with soundscapes, production and audio engineering for over 15 years and he specializes in producing demos, singles, LP’s and albums for artists leveraging his extensive music background to ensure the final mix delivered is ready to be embraced by any professional within the Australian Music Industry.
Internationally, Sven has had releases throughout U.S.A., Canada, Europe, Africa and ASIA. With vast composition experience in TV and film, along with a gifted musical talent and the ability to write various styles of commercial music.
Credits include:
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Josh Pyke (winner of 2 x Aria awards 2007)
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Tina Cousins
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Paulini (Australian Idol)
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Erika Heynatz (EMI)
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Candice Alley (Top 40 Billboard USA)
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Gary Pinto
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Thanh Bui (Australian Idol)
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Toni Pearen
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Robyn Loau (Girlfriend)
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Anthony Snape (Music Oz Artist of the Year 2006)
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Brielle Davis
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Tiffani Wood (Bardot)
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Katrina Risteska (Top 6 – So You Think You Can Dance – 2009)
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and more...
Our Musicians
Wendy Matthews - female vocals
9 times ARIA award winner
11 additional ARIA nominations
ARIA Hall of Fame
Rolling Stone Magazine - Best Female Vocalist
Ritchie Neville - male vocals
Member of boy band Five
20 million albums sold worldwide
BRIT Awards Best Pop Act
MTV Europe Music Award
13 additional awards
Mic Conway - harmonica
ARIA award winner
2 Gold Records
Voice of The Wiggles 'Wags the Dog'
Charlie McMahon - didjeridoo
ARIA award winner
Inventor of the didjeribone
Clare O'Meara - fiddle, piano accordian, mandolin & piano
Member of The Bushwackers - 2 Gold Records
7 additional awards
Bec Caruna - female vocals
Platinum award winning songwriter and vocalist
Top 40 club charts in Australia, Europe and Japan
Supported Pink, Bon Jovi, Shaggy and more