Experience Matters

 

I have been teaching piano for over 20 years. Over this time I've developed a teaching style that caters for most students, their individual interests and abilities. I know what methods work and what don't. My students regularly sit for AMEB and Trinity examinations and achieve impressive results.

 

I have worked for some of Sydney's most prestigious schools as a piano teacher and accompanist:

 

Waverley College: (2016-present)

St Catherines Waverley: 8 years

St Andrews Cathedral School: 1 year

Reddam College: 2 years

Sydney Grammar School: 2 years

 

My expertise is diverse and this is reflected in my teaching and choice of repertoire. All of my students participate in graded exams - Classical Piano (AMEB and Trinity) and Popular Piano (Piano For Leisure).  I also teach jazz theory, musicianship, and cover repertoire ranging from notated music through to lead sheets (popular and jazz) and jazz transcriptions.

 

As an accompanist I have played for countless HSC and higher level music performances, AMEB and Trinity exams. I have been part of large and small ensembles, played for choirs, directed jazz combos and keyboard groups and have been involved in numerous musical engagements within schools and in the wider community.

 

My work as a practical musician has included jazz combo and solo playing, session work, work as repetiteur for eisteddfods and choirs and accompanying AMEB, Trinity and HSC exams. Venues I have performed at include The Hordern Pavillion, The Basement, The Harbourside Braserie, The Sydney Opera House and countless pubs and clubs.

 

My formal qualifications include a LTCL (Licenciate Performers Degree with Trinity College London), B-Mus Hons (University of NSW), Bachelor of Arts from Sydney University (double-major in English literature) and a Masters of Teaching from the University of Sydney. During my university years I was a pupil of renowned pianist and teacher Gerard Willems AM at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. My doctoral studies on Improvisation were published as a chapter “Improvisation” in Parncutt, R. and McPherson, G. (Eds.). The Science and Psychology of Music Performance. New York: Oxford University Press.

 

Presently I live in Earlwood, talk endlessly about music and South Australia, am an avid reader, enjoy bushwalking and riding motorbikes, am married and have 2 boys (who both learn piano). I have a current Working With Children Check (WWC0464825E). Videos of my piano playing will be uploaded to this site soon.