Commencing piano lessons with her mother at the age of five, May received a Licentiate Diploma of Music at thirteen. For fifteen years, May appeared with her mother, composer and pianist Val Gavin, in the 2-piano team Duo Gavin. Together they made numerous recordings and performed over 100 recitals. May also plays the violin, playing professionally for dozens of shows in Melbourne. She still has a strong interest in music theatre, and enjoys coaching singers.
May has worked as an accompanist both here and overseas and has also been Music Director for many productions. She toured as the principal accompanist for The Three Chinese Tenors and also as the Music Director for the national tour of The Merry Widow. May and her husband, tenor Raymond Khong have performed extensively in Australia, and have released two recordings on the Move label. May and her brother, internationally renowned tenor Julian Gavin have recently released a recording of music composed by her mother Val, on the Tall Poppies label to critical acclaim. She currently works as a regular accompanist for the Melbourne Women’s Choir, who are currently preparing for their 2nd European tour in September, and has released a recording with them My Song in the Night
May has a busy performance schedule, both as an accompanist and soloist. Recently she performed Gershwin’s Concerto in F, Carnival of the Animals and Rhapsody in Blue with the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra, and has been invited to perform Rhapsody againlater this year. She regularly adjudicates and examines both here and overseas, and as Head of Keyboard and Strings at Donvale Christian College, loves the challenges and rewards of teaching.
May is married and
has four noisy, artistic and extremely messy children. When she is not busy
with family or music, she enjoys long bushwalks, accompanied by her enormous
Great Dane, gardening and sewing.