About

Dr Jessica O’Bryan (BMus, MMus, Grad Dip Ed, PhD) is an Associate Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy in the School of Education and Tertiary Access at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and has lectured and tutored in music, education and research studies across several universities in South East Queensland. Winner of five scholarships from the University of Melbourne, Jessica trained as an opera singer and worked in opera companies, jazz groups, and commercial pop bands throughout her performance career. Jessica was a music educator in secondary schools for 15 years and taught singing for 30 years in her private practice before moving to higher education. Her PhD investigated classical singing teaching cultures in higher education. She is a published researcher in music and singing education, education policy and higher education assessment; is the co-editor of Teaching Singing in the 21st Century (2014, Springer Publications), and the co-author of Musical Theatre Education and Training in the 21st Century (2025, Routledge).

Awards and Honours

Dame Mabel Kent Scholarship
University of Melbourne (Australia, Melbourne), 1992, 1993, 1994
Mona McConaughy Award
University of Melbourne (Australia, Melbourne), 1993
Dame Nellie Melba Prize (First place in second year)
University of Melbourne (Australia, Melbourne), 1992

Organisational Affiliations

Associate Lecturer in Education Curriculum and Pedagogy, School of Education and Tertiary Access

Education

PhD
20092015, PhD , University of Queensland (Australia, Brisbane) - UQ
Master of Music
20052007, Master of Music (MM or MMus), Monash University (Australia, Melbourne)
Bachelor of Music
19941998, Bachelor of Music (BM or BMus), University of Melbourne (Australia, Melbourne)
Graduate Diploma of Education
20012001, Graduate Diploma in Education , University of Melbourne (Australia, Melbourne)