Our Staff
Our staff are highly trained and experienced to provide you and your child with an outstanding learning experience. For us, the best element of our job is that we get to play a special part in your child’s development and watch them learn, grow and create.
Vanessa Lynch
Hive Founder & Director
Bach. Education (hons) Major in Music
Vanessa has a B.Ed (hons) – Bachelor of Education with a major in Music and has spent several years teaching classroom music in high schools and primary schools in London. Vanessa is an accomplished pianist and flute player and has achieved an ATCL level in performance.
While studying her honours degree in Music Education, with a focus on neural research on children’s intellect and cognitive function, she discovered that music is especially powerful in shaping a child’s interests and abilities in the preschool years. Opening Hive, a creative learning studio for local families, was a natural step in her desire to give children the opportunity to develop the cognitive and musical skills that early childhood music training offers.
When she’s not buzzing at Hive, Vanessa spends her spare time being creative with cooking, sewing and playing in local music groups and orchestras.
Melissa Saunders
Program Director for 0-5 Yrs
Baby & Toddler Music
Diploma of Early Education & Care
Melissa has a background and qualifications in early childhood teaching and music education – giving you and your child a complete educational and creative experience. Before joining the Hive, Melissa worked as an Early Childhood Teacher and Director and also as a Voice Teacher and Choir Director. Melissa’s skills extend to the stage as well, where she has many years of experience in writing, directing and producing musicals and dramatic theatre productions.
She’s also a singer and songwriter – you might just see her wowing audiences at live performances in local venues around Newcastle.
Melissa is a proud mum to Natasha and Daniel, who share her passion for beautiful music and performance.
Kirsty Venables
Play Room
Bach. Education (Primary)
Kirsty completed her primary teaching degree in 2009 and has been teaching for 12 years. Nurturing young little minds is her life goal. Working with children has been a dream of mine since I was one myself. There was never any other career path for me. It truly is my ‘dream job’ to have recently joined The Hive team; as it allows me to combine my passion for engaging with children as well as my love for The Arts.
Emily Kingsmill
Play Room
Bach. Psychology in Education
Emily is a pianist, singer and teacher. She grew up playing the piano then completed her Psychology in Education degree back in England. She qualified as a Primary School teacher, then as an Early Childhood educator here in Australia. She is passionate about children learning through the joy of music and is delighted to be putting both her love of music and education together at Hive.
Her two little boys share her love of music, and together they like to spend time exploring and adventuring outdoors, going to the beach, sailing, crafting, baking, plus singing, dancing and making music!
Abi Crayon
Theatre Mini’s & Drama
Master’s degree in Education (Performing Arts in Early Years)
Abi Crayon is an experienced Performing Arts Educator with over seventeen years of designing and delivering innovative drama and movement programs for children and young people. She holds a Master’s degree in Education (Performing Arts in Early Years) from Birmingham City University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Performing Arts Leadership from the Royal Northern College of Music and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performance from Huddersfield University.
Her career spans schools, theatres, and community arts organizations across the UK and internationally. Abi has led drama departments in both Singapore and the UK, most recently as Head of Drama at Notting Hill Prep School in London. She previously served as Head of Elementary Drama at Stamford American International School Singapore, mentoring teachers, shaping curriculum, and presenting at international education conferences.
At the heart of Abi’s practice is her commitment to creating safe, joyful spaces where children can explore their imaginations, build their confidence, and thrive through the performing arts. Relocating to Newcastle in 2025, Abi is excited to continue inspiring young performers and fostering creativity within the Hive community! When Abi isn’t at Hive, she loves spending time at the theatre, travelling, and discovering new places. She is also a dedicated meditator, and as a qualified meditation and mindfulness teacher, she values taking time to pause, breathe, and recharge.
Rebecca Hrobat
Bee-School
Diploma in Performing Arts Major in Acting
Lee Seaman
Bee-School
Diploma in Graphic Design
Hello! My name is Lee and you could say I wear many pants. Wife, mum, Artist, Graphic Designer / Art Director and published Children’s interior stylist.
I find inspiration for my art/design from all facets of life but mostly from the sheer beauty of kids and my fondness for all things that are colourful, fresh and fun. I am beyond passionate in helping the next generation of little humans find their creative spark by providing them the tools to create projects that push their capabilities so they are continually growing and developing.
Professionally, I have worked as an art director for over 9 years, and hold qualifications in graphic design and fashion design.
Summer Visocchi
Bee-School Teacher & Play Room
Summer teaches in our Bee-school program, co-teaches in our Play Room program, and is the organizational expert behind our incredible Play Room program. Working at Hive since 2019 “I was gifted with the chance to make my dream come true with an amazing opportunity to do what I have always loved to do, which is working with kids”.
Summer has always loved building and forming relationships with children and her work is always rewarded by getting to watch them thrive, grow and develop their creativity. She has always had a passion for both dance and art, and to be able to combine her interests she believes, is the best combination ever!
Olivia Harrington
Bee-School & Musical Theatre Teacher
Olivia loves working with the Hive team and to see the creativity from young performers blossom through music, drama and dance.
Charli Walker
Bee-School – Art
Charli is a singer and practicing artist. Having grown up in a musical and artistic family, it was a natural progression for her to study music and fine art. Specialising in drawing and watercolour painting, Charli enjoys being part of our art program planning team alongside teaching in our art classes for preschoolers and school age children.
Charli has a natural affinity for working with children and enjoys connecting with each child in her classes and helping them to develop their interest, skill and passion in art.
Lauren Turner
Customer Care
Lauren is the voice at Hive on the phone and happy to have a chat at reception on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
A mum of a two beautiful young sons, Lauren’s passion for all things creative and imagination in little minds has come to life. Lauren has always loved being creative with dancing from a young age until she was 24. Her background is in hairdressing- hence loving to have a chat- and since having her son in 2020 decided a career change was in order.
Working at Hive is the perfect fit and loves being surrounded by such talented and creative people. She is currently studying her certificate III in business and looks forward to furthering her skills at The Hive.
Shuna Mackay
Drama Teacher & Program Manager
Bach. Community Drama (hons)
Grace Lickley
Art Director
Bach. Natural History Illustration
Grace is a passionate writer and artist and is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Natural History Illustration. Grace specialises in both digital and traditional drawing methods and has a profound love for watercolour. She also works with acrylic, polymer clay and fine liner. She has been recognised by the National Art School in Sydney where she was accepted into their Intensive Studio Program specialising in Life Drawing and has participated in multiple exhibitions.
For 8 years Grace attended a Steiner school and grew up surrounded by eclectic and colourful people. From age 6 her creative endeavours included painting, needle felting, knitting and candle making all of which she still enjoys and works at today.
Grace has extensive experience working with children and has taught at both primary and high school levels. She is incredibly passionate about encouraging kids to discover their creativity and develop their artistic skills.
The Blog
Blocks – Perfect for Open-Ended Play and Development
Blocks are often called the perfect open-ended toy because they offer endless possibilities for play, support all areas of development, and grow with the child. Here’s why they’re so powerful: No Right or Wrong Way to Play Blocks don’t come with instructions. Kids can...
Building Strong Foundations: How Our Bee-School Art Program Develops Real Skills in Young Children
Young children are naturally curious and capable — and with the right guidance, they can begin developing real artistic skills from an early age. That’s why our Bee-School Art Program for ages 3–5 is designed to do more than just spark creativity. It’s a carefully...
How Music Can Build Math Skills
PATTERNS, PATTERNS, PATTERNS! Developing auditory skills helps the brain recognise patterns and group information efficiently. This ability to detect patterns makes it easier for children to process information quickly and with less mental effort, freeing up...