Steph McCaw

Artistic Director

Steph has been Artistic Director of the Boxties since the group formed in 2014 and is also Co-Director of The Boxties Mentorship Program.

She has directed all of their projects, including Bound Away to Leave You, City of Strangers and A Net of Souls at QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre and the In Good Company series.

Her eclectic and versatile career as musical director and performer encompasses orchestras, circus, choirs, opera and theatre companies, including productions such as Alafiah and Stand With Us at the Brisbane Powerhouse, CaCa Courage for Access Arts, and Body Slam with the Rock’n’ Roll Circus.

Steph’s work in music education has attracted national and international recognition.

Research into her methodology, conducted over two years by Professor Pamela Burnard of the Education Faculty of Cambridge University (UK), was published in major international journals – Departures in Critical Qualitative Research, (University of California), and the Cambridge Journal of Education.

Professor Burnard also presented papers about Steph’s work at international conferences in Canada, Greece and the UK, and Steph herself has given talks about her work at Cambridge University, the University of Queensland and on behalf of Teacher Training Australia.

In 2008, she received Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship, and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, enabling her to visit community music programs in the UK, Finland and the USA. 

She is also the recipient of National Excellence in Teaching Award, a Queensland “Positive Teacher” award for her contribution to nurturing students’ mental wellbeing, and was designated a Queensland Government “Culture Champion”.