After many years of study and performance, in 2000 Janet Swain founded Song Dynasty Music and for the past 20 years has worked with several choirs comprising of both adults and children. Her greatest passion is the work she has done with many community choirs, backed by a belief in the importance of singing and song for all people, not just trained musicians. Janet works as an artist teacher in schools and community centres, for workshops, and summer camps. She has been widely successful in producing a numerous large-scale community events including several massed choir performances, involving the administration, creative direction, composition, organisation and teaching of large numbers of adults and children. Recently, Janet was instrumental in the organising of the inaugural Festival of the Voice in Brunswick Heads in 2019, and the current Song Dynasty Bite Size Events – a series of boutique high quality unique events in small local venues – which are (re) scheduled for December 2021.

She has also prepared backing choirs for Josh Groban, Delta Goodrem, Mama Kin Spender and Tones and I.

Committed to developing a strong sense of community and identity through music, especially song, and also creating original compositions for singers of all levels, Janet’s work is grounded in a strong belief that song and singing is a key to understanding different cultures, belief systems and religions. Projects in the past include a combined choir of local Sydney Chinese, Argentinian and Australian Seniors, as well as creating diverse multicultural choirs in partnership with the Australian Migrant English Service in Sydney.

Janet is also an award winning songwriter, and apart from her own projects, she has been commissioned to write songs for schools, events and communities. Her solo CD, Spine, showcases her abilities as songwriter, arranger, instrumentalist and singer.

Over a diverse, accomplished and eclectic musical career, Janet has lived in Tokyo, Kuwait and Singapore, and worked as an English teacher with the British Council in Singapore for 3 years.

In June 2014 Janet moved home with her family to Mullumbimby, in northern NSW, where she currently runs Big Song Sessions, teaches music in a local primary school, performs with The Loveys and Dynasty8 Chamber Choir…and continues to donate her time and creative energy to a number of projects, committed to doing her bit to keep the local performing arts community vibrant and strong.  She plays piano, bassoon, and ukulele.