Roxanne Kiely – Creator and Author | Songwriter | Producer
Roxanne has successfully used her creative talents in a variety of fields, including vocal coaching, song writing, mentoring, poetry and children’s stories. She is the creator, author, artistic director and co-songwriter for the Busy Izzy and Friends project, which currently boasts, award winning songs, video clips, a healthy living roadshow, picture books featuring rhythm and rhyme and healthy recipes. Songs from the Busy Izzy and Friends catalogue, “Busy Izzy Says”, "Sometimes A Friend” and Who, What, When, Where, How And Why" and "Colours, Colours, Colours" co-written with Stephen Kiely, have won 1st Place in the Australian Songwriters Association song competition, songs for children.
The three books published to date:
Born and raised on a farm, in a musical family, and writing songs, stories and poetry from the age of seven, Roxanne has made a significant contribution to the Australian music industry. She has released two albums of original music, had songs featured on international television programs and, more recently, on a popular ABC compilation. As a singer/songwriter toured Australia, New Zealand and West and East Coast USA. For 5 years played lead character roles in the Warner Bros Pantomime shows, touring Australia.
Director of the ever-expanding music school, ScoopFX Music, http://www.scoopfx.com,
Roxanne's artistic practice focuses on nurturing emerging Australian talent and strongly emphasises mentoring and developing the talents of younger artists. This artistic practice seeks to develop the capacity of individual artists and the sector and connect local talent with opportunities to participate and gain artistic experience. For example, ScoopFX Music school's vocal students feature in the audio production of the Busy Izzy and Friends Show.
Roxanne's talents in developing and mentoring young artists is evidenced through the success of the stellar list of students she has developed including; Delta Goodrem, Bec Hewitt, X-Factor 2014 winner, Marlisa, Ella Hooper, Ivy Adara, Hayley Warner (co-writer of “Never Really Over” for Katy Perry), Nick de la Hoyde, and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, to name a few.
Mushroom Music and Telstra Road To Discovery - 7 years as Vocal Coach
Senior and Junior Academy - Tamworth 6 years
SONY Music - Artist Vocal Development
Roxanne, is the co-founder and President of Songsalive! Australia, a not-for-profit songwriting organisation which support Australian songwriters via workshops, performance showcases, weekend songwriter retreats as well as a resourceful website.
Since 1997, she has voluntarily worked to improve conditions for Australian songwriters.
As passionate as she is about all her activities, there is a special place in her heart for children and children’s stories, which is why she has created the Busy Izzy and Friends series.
Stephen Kiely – Creative Director | Songwriter | Producer
Stephen is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer and performer, website designer, multi-media and digital creative director and co-songwriter for the Busy Izzy and Friends series.
He has written and produced film soundtracks, advertising jingles and songs covering genres as diverse as rock and country, through to swing and jazz.
Together with Roxanne Kiely, has taken part in over 15,000 stage shows and performances, nationally and internationally. Both have had extensive experience as event organisers, due in no small part to their 25 years directing Songsalive! Australia showcases and workshops, as well as running the ‘Search for a Star’ competition for clubs in NSW.
Classically trained on piano, Stephen has extended the instruments he plays to include guitar, bass, drums, organ, ukulele and harmonica. His abilities on these instruments have led him to work on stage and in the studio with many of Australia’s top-ranked performers.
Working in the ever-expanding studios at ScoopFX Music, Stephen has written, performed and produced songs for many of Australia’s rising stars, as well as taking care of the complete recordings of the Busy Izzy project, co-written and produced with, Roxanne. Songs from the Busy Izzy and Friends catalogue, “Busy Izzy Says”, "Sometimes A Friend” and "Who, What, When, Where, How And Why" and "Colours, Colours, Colours", co-written with Roxanne Kiely, have won 1st Place in the Australian Songwriters Association song competition, songs for children.
Stephen’s talents have also taken him into other creative areas, such as graphic and web design. An accomplished website creator, his output can be viewed on sites such as the one you're viewing right now, www.busyizzy.com and his video editing results may be viewed on Busy Izzy and Friend’s YouTube channel:
Jeesoo Kim - Busy Izzy and friends' illustrator
Having graduated from Myongji University, Jeesoo Kim is currently studying Animation Art & interactive design at RMIT University, in Melbourne, Victoria.
Her creative illustrations complement Roxanne's stories, bringing the characters and their adventures to life in pictures.
ACTORS
Jordana Beatty (Busy Izzy)
Jordana is an Australian award-winning actress best known for playing the title role of Judy Moody in the feature film Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer and Susan Parks in the 10th anniversary tour of Billy Elliot the Musical.
Beatty started acting in 2002 and appeared in Australian television commercials. She has played roles in the Home and Away and All Saints television series. She also played the character Rachel in the television series Legend of the Seeker.
In 2012, she was nominated for the Young Artist Award as Best Leading Young Actress for her role in the film Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. She was also cast to play the title role in Eloise in Paris alongside Uma Thurman, but the film was never made.
In 2013, she was cast as Optimism in Mind Over Maddie, a local children's program on Disney Channel Australia, and in 2019, she was cast as ballerina Susan Parks in the 10th anniversary Australian tour of Billy Elliot the Musical.
Santino Emmi (Bossy Bobby)
Sydney primary School Teacher, Santino has worked in children’s entertainment for over a decade and is thrilled to be bringing Bossy Bobby to life in the Busy Izzy and Friends shows.
2012 Tokyo Disneyland, Peter Pan and the Mad Hatter in parades and shows. Disney parks in Paris 2017 London Iced Gems Events, bringing fairy tales and popular characters to the stage through song and dance. Chelsea Football Club mascot “Bridget” 2009 with The Hooley Dooleys as Captain Catastrophe. Three years as Captain Feathersword - The Wiggles. Peppa Pig, with Pistachio Entertainment Music video clips and television commercials.
Musicals include: Kiss Me Kate (China tour), Rolf in The Sound of Music (Artes Christi), Merrily We Roll Along (Riverside Lyric Ensemble).
Olivia McNamara (Busy Izzy / Talkative Tess)
Olivia loves performing in the Busy Izzy and Friends shows as Busy Izzy and Talkative Tess, both on stage and screen. As a drama and music teacher, Olivia is currently studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music studying a Bachelor of Music Education (Contemporary Music Practice) and loves working in the children's music industry. Olivia has had years of performance experience in musical theatre, in children’s theatre performances as well as in children's party entertainment. Outside of children's entertainment, Olivia is a versatile performer, with many appearances as a singer, electronic music producer and DJ in Sydney's live music scene and has enjoyed acting in a range of television commercials, film and in television over the years. Olivia welcomes you all to Nix & Nax and hopes you enjoy the show! |
Adi Rao (Sensible Steven)
Adi is a young creative based on Gadigal land.
From a very young age through primary school, he has taken part in several community based cultural dramas, plays and musicals as both singer and actor.
After graduating high school, Adi continued to expand his performance repertoire, working in several university revues, plays and musicals, as well as volunteering on the executive team, as writer, vocal director, publicity manager, producer and director.
In 2021. Adi joined the popular children’s show, “Busy Izzy and Friends”, bringing the role of Sensible Steven to life both on screen and on stage, performing in numerous musical performances for YouTube, and on stage, in schools, shopping centres and theatres around Sydney.
As part of the team of Busy Izzy and Friends, Adi has worked for organisations like Prosper-project Australia and Strong Safe and Fabulous.
Chelsea McEntee (Secret agent Skye / Talkative Tess / Worried Warren)
Chelsea is fourth generation in a family with a background of professional dancers and performers. Her dance training started at a young age and covered extensive training in Ballet (RAD), Contemporary/lyrical, jazz, tap (GWT), acrobatics, hip hop and professional vocal training. Chelsea has trained extensively with industry professionals including: Glen Wood, Bronwyn McEntee, Robyn Kirkland, Jacqui Howard, Matt Lee, Patric Kuo, Matt Gode, Stephen Tannos, Sophie Holloway, Alex Miedzinski, Pam Clark and Christian Patterson to name a few.
She has achieved excellent results in GWT Tap and RAD ballet examinations. Chelsea has successfully competed at elite competition level and been a multiple prize winner and finalist at The Sydney Eisteddfod and Wollongong Eisteddfod including Senior Tap and Song and Dance Championships, Scholarships and winner of the Ken Charker memorial Trophy for most promising tapper, ADF most entertaining.
Her professional credits include chorus member for Opera Australia’s production of ‘Makropouls’, featured roles in numerous television commercials, fashion shows, and the movies ‘Happy Feet’ and ‘Australia”.
Tamsin Lancaster (Secret agent Skye)
A singer, actor and dancer. Trained in classical singing and musical theatre at the Sister2Sister singing School for over 10 years, performing in their elite group 'squad' choir supporting acts like Delta Goodrem.
After graduating high school, Tamsin attended the Diploma of Music Production course at JMC Academy, whilst having extensive vocal sessions with Leigh McRae, who starred as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, and who worked alongside the renowned voice coach Seth Riggs, based in Los Angeles.
Studied with Pat Maloney (Founder & CEO of MusicOZ and Head of A&R at The House of SAM).
For the last four years Tamsin has had vocal training with Roxanne Kiely, Director of ScoopFX Music and co-founder of (not-for-profit songwriting organisation), Songsalive! Australia.
Her deep love for both music and acting, recently being able to combine her passions when acting in her own music video for her original song 'Stranger Not Mine'.