Our Mission

Aphasia Queensland Incorporated is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity that supports the Sing to Beat Aphasia Choir. We are now proudly supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Our mission is to:

1. create a space for people with aphasia to build friendships and community, thereby reducing depression and social isolation and improving quality of life;

2. support language and communication rehabilitation in people with aphasia;

3. empower people with aphasia to hold leadership and volunteer positions within our organisation; and

4. educate the greater community about aphasia and its impact.

Our History

The Sing To Beat Aphasia Choir is the brain child of it’s first president, Peter Stuart, who worked tirelessly for years to pull together all the people, expertise and (no small measure of) paperwork to make it happen. The choir had its first rehearsal on Tuesday 13 February 2018 and has been meeting on a weekly basis ever since.

There are a number individuals without whose expertise, efforts and enthusiasm the choir would not be what it is today and we would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank them.

  • Peter Stuart: Founder & President (2018 - 2020)

  • Lydia & Craig Brown: Founding Choir Director & Accompanist (2018 - 2021)

  • Dr J Yoon Irons: Researcher at the Griffith University Conservatorium of Music (2018)

  • Britney Evans-Mackay: Choir Director (2021-2025)

Lydia Brown (Choir Director), Peter Stuart Founder), Dr J Yoon Irons (Researcher)

Left to Right: Lydia Brown (Founding Choir Director), Peter Stuart (Founder & First President), & Dr J Yoon Irons (Researcher)

For more information on our history

Alex Bartetzko (Choir Director)

Our Future

Over the years the choir has grown and we have welcomed many new faces and some of those have taken on leadership positions within the choir. Our current leadership team includes:

  • Alex Bartetzko: Choir Director (2025 - Current)

  • Gary Alechnowicz: President (2022 - Current)

  • Garry Bushell: Vice-President (2022 - Current)

Our Choir Director

Alex is currently pursuing a Master of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne, following the completion of a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance) with First Class Honours at the University of Queensland.

A passionate pianist and avid choral singer since age five, Alex has had exciting opportunities, including playing Gretel in the longest-running amateur "Sound of Music" in year two and studying at the Young Conservatorium for six years. During her undergraduate studies, Alex undertook an exchange semester in Manchester, UK, where she engaged in various cultural activities, such as singing with the choir at Manchester Cathedral, competing with a Barbershop choir and organising a sign language choir. 

Since June 2019, Alex has sung as a Lay Clerk at St John’s Cathedral, where she is also the Conducting Intern and tutor. Alex is regularly involved in projects with the Brisbane Chamber Choir and has participated annually in the National Youth Choir of Australia since 2022.