Tara Nichols
Band Manager/Vocalist
Tara is lead vocalist and joint band manager of Smooth Ops. A member of Smooth Ops since 2012, Tara is one of Canberra's most versatile and in-demand vocal talents. Influenced by stars like Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Eva Cassidy, she sings everything from soulful jazz and heart-filled blues to rock and pop. Tara is also a session vocalist and vocal arranger, lending her talents to multiple original music projects in the studio, and performs regularly as a soloist and with the Tara Louise Duo.
Justin Hoffman
Band Manager/Vocalist
Justin is lead vocalist and joint manager of Smooth Ops with Tara. Joining as a guest male vocalist for Smooth Ops in 2016, Justin came on board as a permanent member of the front line in January 2017. In addition to immersing himself in the Top 40 world of Smooth Ops, Justin has also fronted blues band The Levee and recorded an originals album with them, as well as fronting Fleetwood Mac tribute band Sweet Little Lies and is currently singing with a brand new Pink Floyd tribute act.
Amy Orman
Vocalist
Amy comes to us as a highly talented and seasoned performer, most recently as a singer with the Radio City Rockettes in New York, multiple musicals including Annie, Hairspray, Guys and Dolls and Sweet Charity, and as a singer aboard Princess Cruises. As well as being a fantastic vocalist, Amy is a talented dancer and choreographer and since making Canberra home teaches singing and dancing at Bom Funk Dance Studio.
Renae Stone
Vocalist
Renae is a professional vocalist, guitarist and singer/songwriter originally hailing from Sydney, Australia. Writing and recording songs since 2014, Renae is a graduate of the Hunter School of Performing Arts and performed prolifically in Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley before moving to Canberra in 2016. Renae was a finalist in Australian Idol and the Telstra Road to Discovery, and supported Australia’s Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen on his 2012 tour. She brings strong and sultry vocals, positive vibes and killer harmonies to Smooth Ops, and performs as a backup for both Amy and Tara.
Jane Doe
Julia Mayne
Musical director + keys
Julia's contributions on keyboard give Smooth Ops its full sound and add the instrumental authenticity the band is known for. Her time with the keys has covered classical, gospel, pop, rock and blues, and vocally she is an experienced harmony singer. She also served many years as the band's previous musical director and administrator, and currently assists the band to bring its complex arrangements and songs to life with excellent attention to detail.
Alan Hilvert-Bruce
Guitar
Originally from Mallacoota, Victoria, Alan arrived in Canberra with a burning desire to play as much guitar as possible. Over the next 20 years he played for many local original bands including the much-loved Brother Be, Betty Alto and Punch Joy while also filling in for countless tribute bands, playing note-for-note replications of everything from Taylor Swift and the Beatles right through to Rage Against the Machine and Nirvana. When asked about his guitar style, he responded that he's going to play guitar solos "until they're cool again". Naturally he was a good fit for Smooth Ops.
Phil Measham
Drums + percussion
Phil Measham has been playing in Canberra and throughout the Eastern States for many years. Predominantly a session drummer, Phil has worked with numerous Australian and international artists (most recently country stars Paul Costa, Aly Cook, Ben Ransom and NeillyRich) and brings a wealth of flair to the band. He does his best to be entertaining while providing solid grooves with some funky features for Smooth Ops' songs. Phil uses Soultone Cymbals exclusively and is featured on the Soultone Website.
Jane Doe
Melanie Wundke
Bass
Mel is the latest groovy addition to Smooth Ops, taking over the bass baton from Ken McNally in late 2021. Mel's cool onstage composure belies a seriously funky groove, and her solid rhythms give style and flair to the Smooth Ops backline. Mel has performed prolifically with Canberra country rock band Urban Drover, and has taken to Smooth Ops' pop, rock and soul rep with ease.
Jack Buchanan
Production + sound
Jack is a highly promising up-and-coming sound engineer in Canberra. Jack is a master at mixing the band's sound for any stage and venue, with an amazing calmness and problem-solving ability that sees him dealing with live sound challenges with ease. When not creating amazing live mixes for Smooth Ops, Jack can be found lending his talents to recording and mixing original materials for many different recording artists at Pendragon Studios.