Sian Prior Writer, Broadcaster, Singer, Lecturer and MC

QUALIFICATIONS

B.A. (Hons), Melbourne University

Grad. Dip. (opera), Victorian College of the Arts

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, RMIT University

Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing, RMIT University

A. Mus. A. (clarinet), Australian Music Examinations Board

Career Summary

Twenty years experience as a journalist and broadcaster for radio, television, print and online, specialising in reporting on politics, the arts and popular culture.

Columnist, opinion writer, essayist, and theatre, opera and book critic.

Professional MC, event host, curator and public speaker (see list of clients below).

Singer, clarinettist and choral conductor; recording artist; founder of several singing ensembles; producer of concerts in venues ranging from concert halls to building sites.

Professional editor, media consultant and journalism lecturer at secondary and tertiary educational institutions.

Active board member of several community and arts organisations.

Published short fiction writer.

EMPLOYMENT

2006 - 2010

Lecturer in Journalism and Non Fiction, RMIT University and Deakin University

Host of City of Stonnington forums, Roosters and Feather Dusters

Host of Melbourne University Up Close, audio interviews with Melbourne University academics, podcast on MU website

Freelance print journalist, broadcaster, media consultant, musician and event host

2001 – 2005

Presenter of The Deep End program on ABC Radio National (2005)

Freelance journalist and weekly columnist for The Age newspaper

Theatre/dance/music critic for The Sunday Age

Melbourne Festival reporter, ABC Local Radio

Book reviewer for ABC Online and The Age

Guest editor, Habitat magazine - Australian Conservation Foundation (2002)

Media consultant, City of Port Phillip

Curator and MC, Sunday Soapbox public forums at the Victorian Arts Centre (2004)

Judge, Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards (2003)

Lecturer/Media Trainer: Deakin University, Latrobe University, Melbourne University RMIT University, Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE, SBS Radio,The Wilderness Society

Public Speaker/Moderator/Curator

Voice-Over consultant

Freelance Musician

2000

Cultural Commentator and Book Reviewer, 774 ABC Melbourne and Radio National

Editor, Signal arts website, ABC Online

Producer/Reporter, The Law Report, Radio National

Freelance journalist

Consultant Programming Advisor, 3MBS FM

1998 - 1999

Presenter/Producer, Sunday Arts, 774 ABC Melbourne

Relief Presenter, Afternoon Program, 774 ABC Melbourne

Presenter, Snapshots and Creating a Scene, ABC TV

1994 – 1998

Reporter/Producer/Relief Presenter, Arts Today, ABC Radio National

Presenter, Radio National, Friday nights (1996)

Reporter, 3LO and Triple J

1993

Producer/Reporter, Drive program, ABC Radio National

Producer, Morning program on 3LO and The Law Report on Radio National

Presenter, Radio National Sundays

1991 – 1992

Producer/Presenter, Public Radio News (independent, non-profit radio production house)

Freelance contributor, ABC Radio Nationall and Triple J

Musical Director/Administrator, Victorian Trade Union Choir

Artistic Director/Administrator, 1991 Labour Day Concert, Melbourne Concert Hall

Coordinator and Judge, 1991 National Labour Day Song Award

1990 – 1991

Community Arts Officer, Victorian Trades Hall Council

Founder/Musical Director, Victorian Trade Union Choir

Freelance Reporter, Public Radio News

Leader, ACF Youth Delegation to the United Nations Conference on Ozone Depletion, London (June 1990)

1987 – 1989

National Campaign Officer, Australian Conservation Foundation

CLIENTS - MC, Event Host, Guest Speaker, Curator, Public Interviewer:

  • Australia Council
  • Australian Contemporary Art Fair
  • Australian Film Institute
  • Australian National Choral Association
  • Australian Conservation Foundation
  • Arts Industry Council (Vic)
  • Ballarat Grammar School
  • Bendigo Art Gallery
  • Byron Bay Writers Festival
  • Chapel Off Chapel
  • Cinemedia
  • City of Melbourne
  • City of Whitehorse
  • City of Stonnington
  • City of Port Phillip
  • City of Maribyrnong
  • Croydon Secondary College
  • Eureka 150
  • Footscray Community Arts Centre
  • Future Leaders
  • Heide Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Ian Potter Foundation Cultural Trust
  • Independent Booksellers Association (Vic)
  • Junior Strings of Melbourne
  • Lal Lal Estate
  • MacRobertson Girls High School
  • Melbourne Chorale
  • Melbourne International Festival of the Arts
  • Melbourne International Jazz Festival
  • Melbourne International Film Festival
  • Melbourne Travelling Film Festival
  • Melbourne Writer’s Festival
  • Melbourne Worker’s Theatre
  • McKinnon High School
  • Melbourne University Up Close
  • Mentone Girls Grammar
  • Mornington Peninsula Art Gallery
  • Multicultural Arts Victoria
  • Readings Bookshop
  • RMIT University
  • Scotch College
  • Shire of Yarra Ranges
  • The Arts Centre (Victoria)
  • The Boite
  • The Greens
  • The Sun Bookshop
  • The Wilderness Society
  • Victorian Health Promotion Foundation