Liveactually
Australia’s best-loved
contemporary vocal group
2024 Tour
tour dates
the band
The Idea of North — Australian
a cappella at its finest.
A quintet of musicians, serious about their music without taking themselves too seriously. A bespoke array of harmony-loving vocalists, bringing meaningful music to humans around the globe. A group audiences come to see for the music, and come back to see for the feels.
the singers
Emma Rule
Soprano
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Emma developed a passion for harmony singing at a very young age. Graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts Music Theatre program in 2006, she worked as an entertainer for Disney Cruise Line for several years and wrote and performed her own solo cabaret show. Emma was a founding member of the Melbourne a cappella group Ginger and Tonic and performed with them from 2010 until 2016.
Emma joined The Idea of North on soprano in 2017 and continues to move audiences with her flawless and emotive singing. As well as her performance qualifications, Emma has a degree in Primary Education, and has lived a double life as a teacher and performer for the past decade.
Naomi Crellin
Alto
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Naomi graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Voice from the Elder Conservatorium (University of Adelaide) after beginning on classical piano. Joining The Idea of North in 2002, Naomi quickly became a significant contributor to the group’s repertoire through her writing and arranging and has utilised her extensive choral training and experience in managing the group’s musical affairs and educational activities. Naomi is currently the director of the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Choir and Nexus NDV – a high-level harmony singing experience for neurodivergent young people.
Covid gave Naomi the chance to return to tertiary study and receive her Counselling qualification. She now lives a happy double life as a musician and counsellor.
Nick Begbie
Tenor
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Nick graduated from The Australian National University (ANU) in 1994 and has been singing professionally since his teens. Nick has been involved in a wide variety of musical groups: as a soloist and lead in musical theatre; fronting big bands and small jazz ensembles; and as a member of a broad range of a cappella groups. Nick is a founding member of The Idea of North, the only remaining original member, and the only member to have sung at every performance since TION's inception. Nick manages many of the group’s business affairs and has been a vital contributor in many off-stage roles as well as the charisma and energy for which he is renowned in performances.
Apart from his role in TION, Nick works as a professional photographer, a graphic designer and a home renovator.
Luke Thompson
Bass
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Luke Thompson has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Voice from the Elder Conservatorium of Music (University of Adelaide). Luke is a renowned jazz singer and alto saxophonist, having performed at festivals and events as both a bandleader and ensemble member. He has performed with James Morrison, Don Burrows, Kate Ceberano, Paul Kelly, Paul Grabowsky, The Adelaide Youth Orchestra and the Mike Stewart Big Band. In 2017, Luke joined The Idea of North as their bass vocalist, contributing significantly as an arranger as well as being a wonderful soloist.
Kai Kitamura
Vocal Percussion/Baritone
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Kai Kitamura is a Japanese vocal percussionist, singer, and educator who performs vocal percussion in both a cappella and instrumental groups. Kai studied drumming at RCC Drum School in Tokyo and was a member of 'Try-Tone', one of Japan’s most successful a cappella groups, for 11 years.
He has guested with legendary a cappella outfits The Real Group, New York Voices and Naturally 7. Kai became a permanent member of The Idea of North in 2017 having met and performed together at the 2014 Vocal Asia festival. Kai is also a member of Tokyo-based a cappella group ‘Hamojin’ and is the Japanese Artistic Advisor of Vocal Asia.
support music
Our post-covid-induced-hiatus reunion tour in October 2023 would simply not have been possible without the generous support of our donors and fans. Thank you!
Many of you have asked how you can continue to support the group, so we have opened a GoFundMe 2024 tour campaign. Any support received will go directly towards touring and running costs and is hugely appreciated.
the music
For more than 30 years, we have had the absolute privilege of performing live and recording with some of Australia’s and the world’s best vocal groups, musicians, orchestras, vocalists and engineers. Feel free to peruse our catalogue below, and please accept our apology that not all of our recordings are currently available. We’re working on that!
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LIVE, Actually
Recorded live across Australia, October/November 2023
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Brick By Brick
Recorded at Mosaic Studios,
Melbourne, 2018 -
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A World of Christmas
Recorded Live at Hamer Hall,
Melbourne Arts Centre 2016 -
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Ballads
Recorded at James Morrison Studios,
Sydney 2016 -
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HUSH 16: 'A Piece of Quiet'
All-original album Feat. The Idea of North, Lior & Elena Kats-Chernin
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Anthology (ABC 'best-of')
A selection of tracks from 2002-2013
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Smile
Recorded at James Morrison Studios,
Sydney 2013 -
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This Christmas
Recorded Sydney, 2012
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Extraordinary Tale
Recorded at Barker College, Sydney, 2011
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Feels Like Spring
Recorded at James Morrison Studios
Sydney, 2010 -
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Live at the Powerhouse
Recorded Live at the Brisbane Powerhouse, 2006
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The Gospel Project
Recorded at Redsocks Studios
Sydney, 2005 -
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Evidence
Recorded at Redsocks Studios
Sydney, 2004 -
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Here & Now
Recorded at ABC Studios
Sydney, 2002 -
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The Sum of Us
Recorded at Tiger Studios
Sydney 2001. -
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The Idea of North
Recorded at the Canberra School of Music, 1996
Contact Us.
How did you like the show? Got any song suggestions for us? Other random questions?
We’d love to hear from you!
To enquire about hiring The Idea of North, email office@idea.com.au
or send a text to +61 410 428 244
For more information about our education program, email schools@idea.com.au
To ask a question or provide feedback, email office@idea.com.au or visit us on Facebook or Instagram
Keep up to date.
If you’d like to be the first to hear about our tours, recordings and other happenings, sign up to our mailing list here.
We promise you’ll only hear from us when we have news relevant to the group or its members to announce!