About Mary Lopez AM

Mary Lopez is arguably Australia’s most awarded female in the Music and Entertainment Industry. In a career which spanned 50 years, Mary has devoted much of her time to nurturing, developing and showcasing talented Australians of all ages.

Mary’s flair for capturing the spirit of Australia through themed productions, huge cast variety spectaculars and ceremonial events is legendary. She has a unique talent for bringing together a dazzling range of musical and dramatic performers. These include eminent Australian performing artists alongside outstanding youth performers, symphony orchestras, massed choirs, combined bands and special effects displays, most notably apparent in the Schools Spectacular created by Mary in 1984.  She remains involved as Emeritus Director.

Mary has continually shown that she is devoted to providing an equitable chance for all talented Australians to follow their music and entertainment dreams; this passion and commitment has helped to shape the current Music and Entertainment Industry and is reflected in the almost 60 significant and spectacular productions she has staged over her career. This passion for equity also led Mary to create the Talent Development Project (TDP) and the Bound For Broadway Scholarships which gives all gifted youth, regardless of background, a platform to develop and showcase their talent.

Click Here for Mary’s full biography

 

Awards and Achievements

The Australian Event Awards ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ (2013)

The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Awards ‘Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music’ (2012)

Qantas Credit Union Arena (formally Sydney Entertainment Centre) ‘Diamond Appreciation Award’ and place in their Hall of Fame (2011)

University of Western Sydney ‘Honorary Doctorate of Letters’ (2010)

Variety ‘Humanitarian of the Year Award’ (2007)

Australian Government Honor ‘Member of the Order of Australia’ (1999)

The ‘Mary Lopez Medal’ created by the Department of Education and Communities to be given annually to a recipient(s) in recognition of their contributions of Outstanding Significance to the Schools Spectacular (2014)

Testimonials

  • Dawn Fraser AO

    "Mary's given more young Australian performers a chance to shine than any other Australian I know"

  • Paula Duncan

    “I consider Mary Lopez one of the true talent discoverers. She has found and established some of the great talents of Australia, including Human Nature"

  • ALAN JONES AO

    "Mary Lopez is a wonderful Australian and a generous giver"
  • John Williamson, Country Singer

    "Mary loves Australia and this love shines through in everything she does"

  • Father Chris Riley

    "In the words of Batchelor Girl – Mary encourages and gives our kids ‘permission to shine’"

  • Human Nature

    “Mary believed in us … she nurtured us, developed our talent. She’s always there for us and we’ll always be there for her.”

  • Contact Details

    Mary Lopez AM

    Entertainment and Talent Director
    TDP Artistic Director and CEO
    Emeritus Director Schools Spectacular

    p: +61 (0)2 9954 5540

  • 2010 TDP GRADUATES

  • TDP GRADUATE & MUSICAL DIRECTOR, JOHN FOREMAN

    "Mary Lopez is one of the most professional, dynamic, dedicated and enthusiastic people I have ever met"
  • Bound For Broadway Documentary

  • 2011 TDP Graduation Screening on Aurora TV

    2011 Talent Development Project Graduation Spectacular

    Premiere Screening 6pm on September 24th

    Aurora TV, Channel 183 on Foxtel and Austar

    Aurora TV is the proud Broadcast Partner of the TDP