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Alex Stopa, Las Vegas

Percussionist Alex Stopa always loved music and by the age of 15 he couldn’t imagine doing anything else, so when he finished school, he headed to the Elder Conservatorium of Music. 

Alex says he was fortunate to study with one of Australia’s greatest percussion educators, Jim Bailey, who emphasised the importance of the strong work ethic Alex still possesses. 

“Of course, you need to be able to play your instrument, but the importance of showing up on time (early), being prepared, and being a nice person can’t be understated,” says Alex. 

After graduating, and with encouragement from Jim, Alex moved to the US and hasn’t looked back. He’s played with music legends including Aretha Franklin, The Who, Idina Menzel, and Placido Domingo. 

In a 2023 career highlight, his composition, Spiral, and its accompanying video, won two awards at the 49th Annual Pacific-Southwest Emmy Awards in the categories of “Arts and Entertainment” and “Director – Short Form Content”. 

He’s also performed in a range of shows in Las Vegas – Phantom of the Opera, Lion King and Wicked – and for Cirque du Soleil. 

Alex still loves being a musician, relishing the sense of community that comes from performing with friends and colleagues and the joy of sharing music with an audience… all things he missed during the pandemic. 

“I still remember my first gig back once things reopened. It was such a joy to play music for an audience! It helped me appreciate how fortunate I am to do what I do. Getting to play music for a living is truly a privilege.”

B Mus, 2000 Current position: Musician, composer, teacher Current employers: University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Cirque du Soleil

Michelle Carey, Netherlands

No one in Michelle Carey’s family had ever gone to university before, but she had a sense that it was going to unlock a door to something “magical and mind-blowing”, and she hasn’t been disappointed.

I have such amazing memories of Adelaide Uni and that era of discovery. Going to university coincided with a time of great cultural and intellectual discovery for me, so it's wrapped up with a lot of fun memories

The University’s family of tens of thousands of alumni is scattered far and wide across the globe – each making an impact in their own way.

For this special creativity issue of Lumen, we asked three of them to share where their extraordinary talents have taken them in the world.

Although it wasn’t the focus of her studies, Michelle has spent her career working in film as a programmer, curator, and creative producer. She was Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) for many years and, since relocating to Europe, has worked with Cannes, Rotterdam, Berlin and New York Film Festivals, selecting films for the program and doing Q&As with filmmakers. 

Michelle is the proud recipient of a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters from the government of France for her role with MIFF. During an introductory speech at the ceremony, MIFF Patron Geoffrey Rush said Michelle had “an encyclopaedic knowledge and passion for global and local filmmaking”. 

What does Michelle love most about the work she does? “Apart from the films, which still make me giddy when they are good, it’s the sense of community. It’s precarious work and expensive to make films and fund the infrastructure around it, so everyone working in the field bands together to make it work. It’s like alchemy.”

BA (Hons), 1999 Current position: ProgrammerCurrent employer: International Film Festival, Rotterdam

Pei-Jee Ng, Scotland

Pei-Jee Ng has performed across the globe as an orchestral player, soloist, chamber musician and with his piano trio, Fournier. His journey began at Elder Conservatorium while still attending school, learning cello from Janis Laurs who he says, “had a wonderful way of treating my young teenage self with the same seriousness as if I were one of his degree students”. 

Elder Hall Lunchtime Concerts were another highlight. “They were brilliant concerts to attend and perform in and the audiences were always so enthusiastic.” 

Pei-Jee recently completed his first year as Principal Cello with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra having moved there from Co-Principal Cello at the London Philharmonic. He says he has loved working alongside inspiring colleagues, the varied nature of the work, and has found the ambassadorial role of playing for a national orchestra “profoundly meaningful”. 

During his career there have been many stand-out concerts including performing Shostakovich Symphony No.11 at the Royal Albert Hall. 

It was so intensely moving you could feel this incredible tension in the air after the last note as if everyone in the hall was holding their breath

It’s a long journey to becoming a musician and Pei-Jee says using your time wisely during your degree can set you up for the future. “Be humble, take the time to do things right and face your weaknesses. Right now, I am still excited every day to try to be a better cellist. Hopefully in 10 years’ time I will still be of the same mindset.”

B Mus (Hons), 2004Current position: Principal CelloCurrent employer: Royal Scottish National Orchestra