Meet our 2024 Mentors!
Mark Aitkinson
Mark is an extremely accomplished and well known artist who has been singing in bands around the Wagga Wagga area for years. He is a true entertainer and brings shows to life with his enthusiasm, humor and a massive voice. On weekends you can find Mark fronting the bank The Mighty Yak and was an Australian Idol top 100 contender in 2006. When Mark is not singing or shaking his tail feather, he is working as a pre owned vehicle Sales Manager at Thomas Bros
Dionne Crook
Dionne sings with local covers band Deja Groove. They have been entertaining local pubs, clubs and community events since 2005.Compared to a lot of other mentors, Dionne is relatively new to singing and performing. She bought herself singing lessons for her 30th birthday, thinking she needed a hobby, and has loved every minute since. Joining Murrumbidgee Magic Harmony Chorus early in her singing career stood her in good stead for listening to and learning how to harmonise. After stepping in as a Judge for Wagga Wagga Takes 2 2023, Dionne is more than happy to be back on stage performing this year.
Mel Hale
Melanie has loved singing and performing for as long as she can remember. She is currently the Creative Arts Coordinator and Music Teacher at Kildare Catholic College and has been the vocal director for all KCC productions since 2008. This is her fourth year as a mentor and she has loved every minute of it, and is thankful for the opportunity to give back to the Wagga community.
Shelley McCormack
Shelley is a senior Hairstylist, contracting out of Envy Hair in Wagga. Shelley has been involved in musicals and bands throughout the years, in and around Wagga, with her most current gig being an acoustic duo with the talented guitarist, Kate Harpley from Temora. When Shelley isn’t performing and styling hair, along with her husband, Dermot, they are the proud and busy Parents of 3 boys, Parker, 10, Cooper, 8 and Finley, 4. This is Shelleys 14th year participating in Thomas Bros Wagga Wagga Takes Two and says “It’s the love for the show, the people involved and the amazing money raised for local charities that keeps me coming back.”
Josh McKellar
Josh is a veteran of the local music scene, having been performing live in the region for 20 years. He has featured in a variety of shows, as well as countless live acoustic gigs and fronting local rock acts ‘One Shot Too Many’ & ‘Radio Velvet’. In 2018, Josh enlisted in the Australian Army and is now posted to the Australian Army Band Kapooka.
Josh is one of the most experienced of the WWT2 Family, having been involved in 14 Productions to date. He never tires of the fun of leading another ‘victim’ through such an entertaining - and rewarding - experience..
Harry Mangelsdorf
Harry is a licenced sales agent with local real estate agent ONE AGENCY Wagga Wagga. Harry has been performing in the Riverina since the age of 12. He has been actively involved in community productions, bands and shows. Harry has appeared with The Groove Factorie, The Australian Army Band, Kapooka and also with his own band The Social Club and acoustic duo The Peach Tree Dreamers. 2023 welcomef Harry to Wagga Wagga Takes Two as a mentor for the first time! Harry really enjoyed mentoring a local celebrity and the experience of the show.
Jade O’Halloran
Jade O'Halloran, a multifaceted singer-songwriter, embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 8, setting the stage ablaze with her big voice. Hailing from a background steeped in performance, Jade's early years saw her as a featured soloist for New South Wales events such as Southern Stars and School Spectacular, culminating in graduating from the prestigious Talent Development Project in 2007.
In 2009 she travelled to Los Angeles as part of Gleeclub Australia, and performed as a featured soloist all around Hollywood. In 2011, Jade joined the Australian Defence Force – Army as a full time singer and has been posted to Townsville, Sydney and Wagga Wagga. During her time in the Army, Jade represented Australia in Beligum, France, Japan and the Indo Pacific region on ceremonial deployments. In 2015, Jade travelled over to the Middle East as part of Tour de Force Deployment to perform for both Australian and American troops stationed there.
Aaron Oldaker
Aaron Oldaker is a busy local musician, part time solider, and improving horse rider. Aaron spends most weekends taking his one-man band show to audiences around the region. The key feature of Aaron’s live performances is his use of loops and a live-sequenced drum machine to get a full band without backing tracks. When he’s not gigging, Aaron volunteers for local Veterans’ groups including RSL sub-branch and the new Pro Patria Veterans’ wellness centre. Still an active member of the Army Reservce, the Afghanistan Veteran still works several days a week at Kapooka where he holds the rank of Major.
Bill Robertson
Bill is an expert and enthusoastoc emtertainer who has become a regular in many Festival and Musical Theatre productions around the Wagga area including “Tumbafest”, “La Festa”, “The Christmas Countdown Shows”, “The Boy from Oz’”, “Mamma Mia - The Musical” & “Pricilla, Queen of the Desert - The Musical”. Bill has also fronted several local bands including “Who’s the BOSS”, “Radio Velvet”, “One Shot Too Many” & “Recreational Rockstars”. Bill would like to thank Jess for her patience and entusiasim and is thrilled to be supporting such a great cause.
Amber Rose Walker
Amber has been in the world of music since she was 5 years old, singing, playing piano and entering eisteddfods in both rural and central NSW. She has done many stage shows and musicals from the age of 15 and since studying in Wagga, has been involved in many local productions such as Strictly Ballroom in 2019. Amber has sung locally as a guest with the Kapooka Army Band and continues to sing for charity events throughout the community. Amber is very excited to be apart of Wagga Wagga Takes 2 and feels privileged to prepare one of the celebrities for the event.