Thank God It’s Friday

TGIF comprises a cohort of highly committed learning disabled and neurodivergent artists whose individual strengths contribute to the ensemble’s high-quality output: 

• Aimee Crathern – Lifelong vocalist and member of The Sisters of Invention, Poco Tutti and TGIF. Performer at Adelaide Fringe, Perth International Cabaret Festival and the 2024 SA Music Awards (Community Achievement Award recipient).  

• Andy Norman – Ensemble singer with exceptional recall, strong hosting skills and experience with Tutti Choir and Company AT.  

• Annika Hooper – Founding Tutti performer with perfect pitch, significant solo experience and a long track record of challenging public perceptions of disability through the arts.  

• Caroline Hardy – Long-term Tutti performer with strong stage presence, prior experience with Co‑Opera, and performance work with Restless Dance Theatre.  

• Jordan Allard – Musical theatre specialist, member of TGIF since 2024, active across Tutti ensembles, known for silky vocal tone and pop-culture knowledge.  

• Hayley Sommers‑Cain – Experienced harmony vocalist, neurodivergent artist with strong musicianship and extensive vocal ensemble experience across Tutti groups and community choirs.  

• Michelle Hall – Longstanding Tutti artist, lyricist, and member of The Sisters of Invention; contributes written material for TGIF performances and bespoke lyrics.  

• Sam Bateman – Multi‑instrumentalist, newest ensemble member, vocalist with interest in G&S repertoire, YouTube creator, and author/illustrator of Beeing Proud. 

TGIF are led by Carol Young, Musical Director  
Carol Young is an Adelaide‑based musician, pianist, vocalist, and musical director with an extensive national and international performance career. Since 2017 she has been Choral & Vocal Director for Tutti Arts, directing multiple ensembles and leading major productions including collaborations with State Theatre Company SA, Belvoir Street Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, Gravity & Other Myths and others. Her credits include the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe (A Migrant’s Son), The Pulse (Sydney Festival 2022), and acclaimed theatre productions such as The Events and Mr Burns – A Post Electric Play.  Her artistic rigour and commitment to excellence shape TGIF’s distinctive sound and ensure all ensemble members work to professional performance standards. 

TGIF is driven by the belief that artistic excellence and disability leadership are mutually reinforcing.  Through structured rehearsal processes, high-level musical direction, and an ensemble culture of accountability and collaboration, TGIF produces performances of professional calibre. 

TGIF were awesome.  They were professional, organised, charming and delivered first class harmonies in a great song selection.  We were thrilled with their performance in the Hopgood Theatre reopening gala, and were certainly a highlight for many audience members.

– Zac Tyler, Creative Director, Hopgood Theatre Reopening 

Image credit: Alex Frayne