Great musicians do NOT equal great tutors. At NSAM, most of our tutors are music majors with graduates from bachelor to masters qualifications - all equipped with comprehensive teaching experience and skills. That's why our students learn from the best!
Manager Director
The North Sydney Academy of Music is not just a place of learning, but also a place of peace and reflection. In providing a top quality educational experience now, students will be inspired for a lifetime of musical enrichment. This tailor-made educational experience can only be created via quality. Whether it be teachers, resources or else- the North Sydney Academy of Music is a school that nurtures individuals to appreciate the musicality of everyday life. Our motto is to inspire a lifelong love of music within our students. We believe that our environment is one that can provide an unprecedented level of both passion and education.
We know that the musical journey to success is one that is filled with trials and tribulations. Our staff will not only guide you to success, but also exceed all expectations. We hope to see you soon!
Patron
Charmian Gadd is an internationally acclaimed violinist and violist who has appeared as soloist with the Halle, Vienna Radio, Hong Kong and BBC orchestras. She played with the Bath Festival Orchestra under Yehudi Menuhin and the Academy of St Martin in the Field under Sir Neville Marriner.
Born in Ourimbah, Charmian Gadd has returned to the Central Coast after an extensive career in Australia and abroad. Central Coast Conservatorium is fortunate to have her serve on its Board of Management and recognises the valuable wealth of experience Charmian Gadd can uniquely offer. Whilst her involvement with music is global, her roots are local, and she is devoted to enriching the life of the Central Coast community.
Charmian Gadd has held music professorships at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh (10 years) and Western Washington University. She was Head of Strings at both Sydney Conservatorium and Canberra School of Music and Head of the Selective Performance Program at the Australian Institute of Music. She was a founding member of Trio Concertante and Macquarie Trio and Australian Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Through her previous directorship of the Violinery in Sydney she maintains contact with instrument dealers, makers and repairers.
Charmian Gadd foresees the many friendships and connections she has made during her career will continue to benefit music on the Central Coast. She has an ongoing association with music education programs in China, Japan and Europe. As a member of Central Coast Conservatorium Board, she is keen to create new and exciting musical opportunities for students, staff and audiences.
Patron
Professor Peter Shi-xiang Zhang was born in Beijing, China and graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1956. He was a Violin Professor at the Shanghai Conservatory from 1956 until his retirement in 1995. He has contributed to the raising standard of violin performance and training of young violinists in China through his introduction of new ideas on the art of violin playing and his translations of many books on violin performance into the Chinese language.
The outstanding results of his violin teaching have resulted in many awards being presented to him. The late Lord Menuhin described him as “one of the greatest teachers in the world”. He was awarded a certificate for outstanding teaching by the Shanghai Conservatory in 1985 and a similar award for excellence in teaching by the Art and Literature Association of Shanghai awarded him in 1986. The Chinese Central Government awarded him the highest honor for his excellent work in violin teaching in China in 1994. In 1995 he was selected by the Bao-Gang Educational Foundation as the best teacher and by Shanghai Government to be in "THE TOP TEN OF 1995".
Professor Zhang has been a juror in many International violin competitions, including the Bach International Competition in Leipzig in 1988, the Wieniawski Competition in Lublin, Poland in 1988, 1994;1997and 2000; the International Violin Competitions in Schontal, Germany in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1995; the Yehudi Menuhin Competition in England in 1995，1998 and 2000; the Novosibirsk Competition in Russia in 1995;1998 and 2001；the Krakow Competition in Poland in 1996. He has also been a member of the jury at the China National Violin Competitions.
He has published Chinese translations of many violin books, including THE WAY THEY PLAY, by Samuel Applebaume; The Principles of Violin playing and Teaching, by Ivan Galamian; <The science of Violin Playing > by Raphael Bronstein;< A New Approach To Violin Playing > by Kato Havas and <Conversations With Yehudi Menuhin >; < How to Practice the Violin>;<The Great Cellists > and <The Great Violinists >by Margaret Campbell.
As a visiting professor of violin, he has given master classes all over the world, including the United States, Australia and Germany. His Students have been successful in International violin competitions including first and third prizes at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition in England in 1983; first prize in 1985 and third prize in 1987; third prize in 1992; first prize in 1998;4th prize in 2000. His students also won first and third prize in the Wieniawski Competition in Lublin, Poland in 1985, and fourth prize in 1994, second and fourth prizes in 1997, second prize in 2000; two first prizes in 4th International Competition in Kloster Schontal, Germany in 1992, third and fifth prize in 1995; two 4th prizes in 1997, third prize in 1999; first and third prize in Russia in 1995 and second prize in Russia in 1998; first prize in Krakow, Poland Competition in 1996. Second prize in Gisborne Competition, New Zealand in 1997, second and third prize in 1998.2nd prize in 2000. 2nd prize in 2nd Yampolsky Competition in 1999.
In September 1995, Professor Zhang and his pianist wife Hu Jian-ming immigrated to Australia under the "distinguished talent" category. He is at present a violin lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian Institute of Music. Since he arrived in Australia, his students in Australia have been successful in both national and international competitions and awards, including the ABC Young Performer Award and the Yehudi Menuhin Violin Competition.
Artistic Director, Head of Strings Department
Peter Garrity is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium where he studied with Charmian Gadd. Prior to this he studied with Polish violinist Jan Tawroszewicz at Canterbury University, N.Z where he completed his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with 1st Class Hon. Peter completed his Masters in Violin Performance specialising in Chamber Music at the University of Colorado in Boulder studying on a full scholarship with the Takács Quartet in their Graduate Quartet Programme. During this time his quartet was invited to perform Mendelsohn’s Octet with the Takács Quartet. They also won the Denver, YMF (Young Musicians Foundation) Chamber Music Competition and was resident quartet at the Brevard Music Festival, where they worked with musicians such as Jamie Laredo, Sharon Robinson and principal violist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, Randolph Kelly. Peter has played chamber music in festivals throughout Europe and worked with teachers such as Peter Zhang, Roland Vamos and Patinka Kopec. Peter studied viola in Pittsburgh for the next 6 years with Randolph Kelly, Atar Arad and Toby Appel on full scholarships at Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon Universities. During that time he taught non-major viola at Carnegie Mellon University, won substitute violist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and was able to work with top conductors such as Mariss Jansons and frequently tour the major concert halls and music festivals of Europe and USA.
Peter enjoys collaborating with various artists in Sydney and has created several ensembles specialising in Balkan and Flamenco music. He has performed chamber music recently at The Crossroads and Pearl Beach Music Festivals, with Charmian Gadd & Friends and with Conservatorium faculty in the Cocktail Music Series.
Peter teaches violin, viola and chamber music at well-known high schools in Sydney, including the Conservatorium High School and in the Rising Stars Programme at the Conservatorium Open Academy. His students have won top academic tertiary awards, concerto, solo and chamber music competitions in NZ, Australia, Canada and England featured in high achiever concerts for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), gained entry to the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, and several achieving professional careers in orchestras in Europe.
Peter is currently vice president of the ANZ Viola Society and was Head of Strings at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music.
Artist Teacher - Violin
Cristina has performed in orchestras, chamber ensembles and as a soloist in many countries. She debuted at ten years old as soloist with the Philharmonic of Timisoara in her native Romania and during her early studies she appeared in concert and television broadcast as soloist with several other European orchestras.
Furthering her studies with scholarships in the USA, Cristina completed a Masters Degree at Carnegie Mellon University and studied in classes with internationally renowned teachers including Pinchas Zuckerman, Andres Cardenes , Charles Castleman, Stefan Gheorghiu, Igor Gruppman, Sidney Harth, Boris Kuschnir, Edgar Meyer, Viktor Pikaizen, Sergiu Schwartz and Mimi Zweig.
After studies Cristina joined the first violin section of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and became very active as a chamber musician, performing, touring and broadcasting on Radio New Zealand with the Amici Ensemble and the Musika Trio.
In 2014 She moved to Australia and has regularly performed as part of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Opera Australia Orchestra. She enjoys coaching ensembles and teaching privately and believes strongly that a step by step approach to all aspects of violin technique is needed to enable students to flourish with their music making.
Piano Teacher & Keyboard Director
Sam Zhan has completed his Masters of Music, studying withNatalia Ricci at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the University of Sydney.He has completed a Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance) at the SydneyConservatorium under the tutelage of Daniel Herscovitch. As a classicallytrained pianist, he has performed extensively as a soloist and chambermusician. During his time at the Sydney Conservatorium, he has participated inmasterclasses and worked with renowned international artists and pedagogues suchas Helen Krizos, Thomas Hecht, Michael Endres and Ingo Dannhorn. Sam hasperformed at various major venues across Australia including the City RecitalHall, the Sydney Town Hall and St.Andrew’s Cathedral. In 2019, Sam was featuredas an emerging artist at the Theme & Variations’ Emerging Artist Program.As an avid and passionate teacher, he has guided students through AMEB examsand successfully prepared students for rising star auditions at the SydneyConservatorium of Music.
Teaching Philosophy
My own teaching philosophy draws on the diverse training I’vereceived, drawing ideas from various schools of piano pedagogy: Russian, Germanand Hungarian. My approach in teaching is one that encourages a greaterawareness of the connection between body movement and the quality of sound, aswell as the cultivation of efficient and mindful practice habits. A major focusof my teaching is to motivate my students to develop a sense of self-inquiry toexplore their own imaginative potential in music by fostering a strongtechnical foundation and a greater sense of confidence at the piano.
Artist Teacher - Piano Studies
Ying Ho regularly performs as a soloist and chamber musician across Australia, England, Europe, Israel, China, and America. A recipient of the prestigious Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music International Scholarship, she studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Tatiana Sarkissova, the Universität der Künste in Berlin with Jacques Rouvier, and the Sydney Conservatorium with Dr Paul Rickard-ford.
Ying has performed at all major venues across Australia including the Sydney Opera House, the City Recital Hall, the Sydney Town Hall, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. She is one of the most highly sought-after collaborative pianists, having performed and toured with many distinguished Australian and international artists. She regularly performs with the Sydney Symphony Fellows, has worked with the Sydney Symphony with conductors such as Simone Young.
As a chamber musician, Ying is founder of the Estivo Trio, and has performed in festivals including the Prussia Cove International Musicians Seminar in England, the Lausanne Academie de Musique in Switzerland, the Estivo Chamber Music Festival in Verona, Italy, the Mimir Chamber Music Festival in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Musica Viva Festival. She regularly appears for Virtuosi Tasmania, and was featured in the Brahmsiana Festival at MONA, Hobart earlier this year with TSO members. She has also toured regionally for Musica Viva.
Ying is also passionate about education and is currently Head of Keyboard at MLC School in Sydney.
Artist Teacher - Violin
Ziva Altman is a Sydney born violinist and is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2001, she moved to Europe to further her studies, firstly with Berent Korfker (prof. Royal College of Music). When she was accepted into the class of one of the legendary pedagogue, Zakhar Bron, she moved to Cologne. She also was a student of Shmuel Ashkenasi, who was the first violinist of the famous Vermeer String Quartet. Ziva has been a full time member of one of Europe’s A-class orchestras, Dresdner Philharmonie as well as the Lübeck Philharmonic Orchestra, and a guest in The Royal Danish Opera Orchestra and Danish Radio, touring throughout Europe on many occasions.
In the UK, Ziva was granted a teaching position at the Yehudi Menuhin School, a school for exceptionally talented international string players. There, she was part of a small faculty alongside famous names such as Simon Fischer, Maciej Rakowski and Berent Korfker. As a chamber musician she studied in Germany with the Alban Berg and Vermeer string quartets. In her own quartet she has performed in concert in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, in various Praemuze Series concerts and for Dutch National Radio. Ziva has also been a member of Lucerne Festival Strings in Switzerland, one of Europe’s highly regarded chamber orchestras. On her return to Australia, she has played casually with SSO and AOBO as well as performing chamber music with internationally renowned instrumentalists such as Charmian Gadd and Randolph Kelly. Among other teaching engagements, Ziva has taught chamber music at the Conservatorium of Music High School and currently teaches violin at Sydney Grammar School. Ziva is
a representative for Pirastro in Australia and New Zealand after having a long history with the company for sitting on panels for sound testing and developing products.
Artist Teacher - Clarinet
Phil is an artist for Backun clarinets and holds the position as Associate Principal Clarinettist in the Opera Australia Orchestra, one of Australia’s busiest orchestras presenting around 300 concerts a year across Opera, Ballet and Theatre. He studied with Francesco Celata from the Sydney Symphony and Mark Walton at Sydney Conservatorium before moving to New Zealand in 2001, initially as a contractor to the Auckland Philharmonia and then appointed as Co-Principal Clarinet of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. As part of the NZSO he enjoyed a number of international tours to Japan, China and Europe and appeared as soloist in recordings and on tours within New Zealand. He also toured as an artist for Chamber Music New Zealand, especially as part of the wind quintet Zephyr and their CD, Music for Winds: New Zealand Wind Quintets made the finals of the Vodafone NZ Music awards in 2016. Phil tutored at the New Zealand School of Music for 10 years and several of his students have enjoyed success winning positions in professional orchestras. Since returning to Australia in 2014 he has appeared several times as guest principal in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and tutors at St Andrews’ Cathedral School and the North Sydney Academy of Music.
Artist Piano Teacher
Tannaz Rafiee is a passionate pianist and music teacher who founded her piano school in Paris in 2006. Her love for teaching music has taken her on a journey to London, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Canberra, and now Sydney, where she resides.
Having taught in diverse countries, Tannaz has honed her ability to connect with students from different backgrounds, skill levels, and cultures. With a master's degree in Music IT from City University in London and studies in Piano teaching at Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, Tannaz's teaching skills are top-tier, matched by her extensive experience as a piano soloist and accompanist, making her an accomplished performer in her own right.
Tannaz is a dedicated piano teacher with a successful track record of teaching children of all ages and ability levels. Her teaching style is both supportive and challenging, aiming to spark students' interest and prepare them for their own performances, be it concerts, recitals, or competitions.
With a wealth of experience in online teaching, Tannaz ensures efficient and enjoyable learning experiences for her students. Her teaching philosophy centers around creating a relaxed yet structured class, striking a balance between technical study and enjoyable musical exploration. She understands the importance of tailoring her methods to suit each student's age and interests, ensuring a personalized and rewarding musical journey for every individual she guides.
Artist Violin, Viola, and Ensembles Teacher
Darius is a skilled and sought after violin and viola teacher. He has extensive experience teaching internationally recognised Paul Rolland string pedagogy and has completed famed pedagogy courses at the Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington Indiana, USA, run by the renowned pedagogue Mimi Zweig. He is an instrumental tutor for the Sydney Youth Orchestra, and specialist string and ensembles teacher at several well known schools such as Moriah College. He is a certified Orff teacher and is currently completing a Master of Teaching, specialising in early childhood and primary education.
He is also an established freelancer and experienced performer. Darius completed a music performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he studied with Janet Davies and Stuart Johnson. While studying at the Conservatorium he was awarded a $20,000 merit based scholarship for an outstanding audition. During his studies, he participated in masterclasses and lessons with many of Australia's eminent instrumentalists including Roger Benedict, Anne-Louise Commerford, Sandro Constantino, Giovanni Passini and Dale Bartrop.
He regularly performs at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra and regularly tours professionally with established musicians including Mark Vincent and Peter Byrne. He has recorded professional music videos with Harry Connick Jr and has appeared in professional recordings for Netflix and Disney Plus.
Cello Teacher
DANIEL MORRIS (cello) studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Georg Pedersen and completed his Masters with reknown Russian virtuoso cellist Alexander Ivashkin at Canterbury University in NZ. He has had wide experience in chamber music, competing in the inaugural Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition with the Stringendo String Quartet. He was initially taught violin by his father and has recently taken it up again , along with the viola and double bass, performing with various groups across Sydney. He is Principal 2nd Violin in the Balmain Sinfonia, Principal Viola in the North Sydney Symphony , has been Principal Cello in The Bourbaki Ensemble where he has played violin, viola and bass.
Guitar - Composition (HSC) - Theory
Tim Doubinski is a guitarist and composer from Sydney's Lower North Shore, currently studying composition at the Sydney Conservatorium. He started playing guitar at 10, and has studied everything from classical, to jazz, to contemporary prog and rock. In those years, Tim has been a graduate of the highly selective Talent Development Project, and a member of acclaimed ensembles such as the Schools Spectacular Stage Band, the NSW public schools jazz orchestra, and even a Schools spectacular featured instrumentalist. Tim has also had the chance to perform at some of Sydney's finest venues as a featured soloist ranging from the ICC, to Qudos Bank Arena, and the Sydney Opera House. He very recently completed a contract with P&O cruises as the reading guitarist.
As a composer, Tim has completed two online courses with the Berklee college of music in orchestration, and composition for film & TV. He has been a part of short films, TV shows, and theatre as a composer, arranger, and orchestrator.
Tim believes that students should determine what music means to them, and what they want from it. His lessons encourage a productive approach to hitting the goals of his students whilst balancing it out with rich theoretical and technical development - all whilst having fun! Tim's ultimate goal with teaching is to develop a love for all things music.
Piano & Theory
Louis Nicoll is a classical pianist based in Sydney. Originally from Melbourne, hecompleted his Bachelor of Music with first class honours in 2018 at theMelbourne Conservatorium of Music. While still a student, Louis won first prizein Melbourne Youth Orchestra’s 2016 ‘Virtuosity’ competition, performingLiszt’s ‘Totentanz’ for orchestra and piano. He was also awarded numerousscholarships including the M&E Kefford Scholarship, the Sir William McKieScholarship, and the Bill Burrell Memorial Scholarship. Since graduation, Louis has performed internationally, touring Mozart’s music in China with Australian International Productions, and has performed recitals for the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall and at Melbourne’s Tempo Rubato. He is currently in Sydney,studying a Masters of Music with Stephanie McCallum on the Chapple Bremnerscholarship.
Artist Piano teacher & Piano accomaniment coach
Benjamin was born in 1987 and had his first piano lesson at the age offive, and enrolled in the Junior Programme of the Hong Kong Academy forPerforming Arts in the following year. He won numerous prizes and honours at many competitions, he was the champion of the concerto section of the SydneyEisteddfod competition, etc. Besides participating in competitions, he hasgreat passion for opera coaching, chamber music and historical musicperformance. He was also the Repetiteur at Musica Viva (HK)’s production ofL’elisir d’amore in 2010.
He is a Graduate of both Diploma and Bachelor ofMusic (Honours) at the HKAPA, and has been studying piano with Raymond Youngsince 2001. From 2011, he furthered his study in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and graduated as a double Master in both Piano Performance and Repetiteur. He received Australian Collaborative Pianist Scholarship to attendBel Canto Summer Program in Munich, He workedas a Repetiteur at Pacific Opera and Australian Youth Choir and taught at ArcoMusic Academy and Sydney Conservatorium of Music High School.
Benjamin was also appointed as the first KeyboardFellow at Sydney Grammar School in 2016 and before working as the currentSchool Accompanist and Performance Coach at Queenwood School for Girls, he was the Piano Tutor/School Accompanist in various renowned private School, Monte S’Angelo Mercy College, St. Catherine’s School and International Grammar School,to name just a few.
On account of his achievements and numerous recommendations, he was granted the Australian Permanent Residency viaDistinguished Talent Program in 2014.
Guzheng & Erhu
Born in Shanghai, Xue Bing began studying the Erhu, Violin, and Guzheng at a very early age. In 1973, a young Xue Bing was selected to be the principal Erhu soloist, and orchestral Violin player of the Chinese PLA Performance Group (中国人民解放军国防歌舞团). Xue Bing began training Erhu with the renowned music professor Lan Yu Song (蓝玉崧教授）and Guzheng with Professor Qiu Da Chen (邱大成教授） In 1979 Xue Bing was scouted by the PLA Art University in Beijing (中国人民解放军艺术学院). At the PLA University, Xue Bing was a highly regarded music teacher and occupied the position of “first chair” (Erhu) in the Orchestra. Her work continued in Beijing with high profile concerts, arts festivals, international tours, movie recordings, and TV performances.
Since coming to Australia in 1987, Xue Bing has remained faithful to her instruments, continuing to perform at the highest level.
Xue Bing has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the ABC studios in a live radio broadcast and continues to perform and record for a diverse range of productions and concerts.
Artsit Piano Teacher
Lewie graduated from Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He studied with pianists Stephanie McCallum, Dr. Paul Rickard-Ford and Danial Herscovitch.
He is a experienced teacher with 20 years of private lesson experience. His teaching style is very methodical and rigorous. His students have successfully auditioned for the Royal College of Music in London, Sydney Conservatorium and other top music schools around the world.
He was an official short course lecturer of ABRSM examinations in Beijing and Shanghai and is a piano teacher of Fudan piano Association and UNSW Australia. He is a member of Alkan Society, London.
Lewie has been invited as an artist to his alma mater Sydney Conservatorium of Music for workshops.
ASCM,BMus, MMus
Elizabeth Lim studied clarinet and piano at the Sydney University Sydney Conservatorium of Music, graduating with an Associate Diploma, Bachelor of Music Degree withDistinction and Master of Music Degree.
Followingher studies in Australia she was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Silver JubileeAward, a Hungarian Government Scholarship and a Goethe-Institut Scholarship in the Field of Arts which enabled her to further music studies at an advancedlevel in Europe.
Elizabeth has a strong background in teaching and performing and has extensive experience in both tertiary and non-tertiary levels of teaching; her experience includesclarinet and saxophone teaching, ensemble conducting, orchestral and chamber music tutoring and the holding of masterclasses at Sydney and NewcastleConservatoria, the Australian Institute of Music and for Sydney YouthOrchestra. She also appears frequently in the capacity of adjudicator andexaminer as well as guest tutor apropos to her concern with the furtherance ofcultural awareness and commitment and involvement in the musical development ofyoung players.
Elizabeth works as a concert recitalist & orchestral musician and has performedextensively both in Australia and abroad. Her experience includes performances with such orchestras and ensembles as the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Sydney Opera House Orchestra,Hunter Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Australis,Collegium Musicum Orchestra, Pacific Opera Orchestra, Canberra Wind Soloistsand The Seymour Group as well as holding Principal Clarinet positions with thePhantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Porgy & Bess and Les Misérables Orchestras.
Other highlights include finalist in the Selmer Clarinet Award at the Second NationalClarinet Congress (1986), prizewinner in the Boosey and Hawkes EncouragementAward (1986), solo broadcasts as finalist in the 2MBS-FM Radio YoungPerformers’ Competition (1990) and Premier Prix Winner of the Superior ClarinetDegree in the Concours Général de Musique et d’Art Dramatique in Paris, France(1993).
Contemporary and Musical Theatre Vocal Teacher
Louise has been a professional performer and accomplished vocal tutor for over 20 years; she has a wealth of knowledge and experience to pass onto her pupils from beginner vocal students right through to professionals.
Louise has tutored a variety of students over the years from beginners of 5 years of age to adults. Louise has a genuine passion and drive as a performer and teacher. This enthusiasm shines through in her lessons with her students. They remain excited about attending their lessons and gain a considerable amount of skill and guidance quickly and efficiently whilst having a lot of fun on the way. Louise holds a strong belief and has experienced through her years of teaching that singing lessons can change lives.
As a most passionate and determined teacher Louise confidently equips her students with the vocal, performance, composition and theoretical skills that will see them excel.
As Louise has also been trained dramatically, workshops are conducted during school holidays teaching her students how to perform which includes a showreel for each of the attendees. Louise also conducts Studio Recording workshops which have been a wonderful and exciting experience for all involved.
Whilst working as a professional singer for over 20 years, Louise has also enjoyed the privilege of sharing all these skills with many other musicians and audience members.
Louise specialises in contemporary techniques and places emphasis and focus on diaphragmatic breathing, support, tone, pitch, phrasing, pronunciation, dynamics, emotion, all the time students are developing new skills and self-confidence, some music theory and much more like… microphone techniques, stage presence, movement, expression, audition skills, while building a broad repertoire and of course marketing for the advanced students.
All weekly lessons are tailored to suit the needs and goals of each individual and whether you want to sing for fun, or are more serious about your craft, Louise will skillfully guide you accordingly.
Some Performance Highlights
Jazz Duo at the National Property Developers Excellence Awards
Jazz Trio Ingham Institute of Cancer Ball with David Campbell
Lead singer in a residency band for a prime time NZ TV Talk Back show
Touring as lead Singer on all the main stages and Opera Houses in NZ
Lead singer at private functions with a number of bands, swing orchestras, jazz ensembles etc.
Producing and Directing a Childrens Musical
Musical Theatre and Cabaret shows as lead singer/actor/dancer
Click here to see Louise Marie McDonald's vocal demonstration
Piano Artist Teacher and Accompanist
Paula Lu is a Sydney-based pianist. She was a student of Natalia Ricci whilst completing her Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has also studied with Paul Rickard-Ford, Katerina Makarova, Natalia Sheludiakova and Neal Peres Da Costa.
Paula has performed solo, concerto, chamber, choral and orchestral works at a number of venues including the Sydney OperaHouse, Sydney Town Hall, on 2MBS FM, and throughout China. She has also performed a variety of concerti as a soloist including theGrieg Piano Concertowith the touring Hunan Symphony Orchestra at Sydney Town Hall, theLiszt Piano Concerto No. 1with the Penrith Symphony Orchestra at the Joan SutherlandCentre, theChopin Piano Concerto No. 1andTchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1with the Ku-ring-gaiPhilharmonic Orchestra.
She was a prize winner in the 38th National Liederfest in Victoria where was consequently granted a scholarship to study art song, poetry and collaborative performance technique at the SchubertInstitute in Austria. In addition to this, she was one of the four finalists of the John Allison Piano Scholarship (2010),both Overall Winner (2009) and winner of the Multiples Section (2011)in the Ku-ring-gaiSecondary Schools Concerto Competition, and winner of the 8thYamaha Youth Piano Competition (2007), consequently competing at State Finals.
Paula is sought-after as an accompanist and was an associate artist at the Rising Stars program. She is currently a teacher and accompanist at MLC and Santa Sabina College. Aside from piano, Paula also enjoys dance and art.
Violin Teacher
Eddy began playing the violin at the late age of nine and despite the late start, he wasaccepted in the Sydney Conservatorium High School within 2 years of learning the violin,achieving his Amus at the age of 11.
Eddy currently studies his Masters at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying alongside Head of Strings Dr. Goetz Richter and previously the late Alice Waten under thePatricia Long Scholarship.
From a young age, Eddy attended a range of masterclasses and musical festivalsinternationally, studying with acclaimed professors such as Prof. Zuo Jun, Qian Zhou, TongWeidong and Haik Kazazyan. Throughout High School, Eddy demonstrated intense driveand passion for music, regularly being asked to perform at the Government House for theAustralian Governor and her excellency for their private events.
Eddy has achieved many awards and prizes over the years of playing violin, performing inmany competitions locally in Australia such as the eisteddfods alongside internationalcompetitions in China. Most notably, he was the winner of the Yilan International Musicfestival juniors competition in 2017, as well as the runner up of the Qingyuan Internationalmusic competition in China.(2016)
As a teacher, Eddy is an extremely articulate and structured individual. With the main goal ofhis classes being to inspire the love of music to everyone, Eddys classes are extremelyapproachable and are catered so that anyone of any age can enjoy his classes. With anabundant amount of experience within teaching the AMEB syllabus, Scholarship preparation,HSC Music 2 and being a student of the Conservatorium Highschool for 7 years, Eddy isable to confidently prepare you for any goals that you wish to meet. Being able to teach inEnglish and Chinese, Eddy is also able to very clearly communicate to parents the child’sprogression within lessons and any concerns the parents might have.
Eddy has featured prominently in a variety of orchestral programs such as the AustralianYouth Orchestra, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music High-school Orchestra, the SydneyConservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra as well as the Eastern Symphony ChamberOrchestra. Being an avid player of Chamber music, Eddy has also formed the Burton StringQuartet with his fellow peers at the Sydney Conservatorium, most recently awarded theGeorge Henderson’s Travellers Scholarship. This scholarship allows the quartet to travelinternationally to study with renown Chamber Music professionals across the globe.
Cello Teacher
Joanne Hwang began playing the cello at the age of seven and has now completed her final year of a Bachelor of Performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Julian Smiles. She has performed solo recitals, chamber music and orchestral concerts across Australia, America and Europe. Recently, Joanne performed in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music Winterschool Program held in Townsville with her string quartet. She has also received scholarships and competed in numerous competitions. In particular, she was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2022 Sydney Eisteddfod Drs Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship. Joanne has been involved in many orchestral programs over the years including Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra and Sydney Concert Orchestra. Over the years, Joanne has participated in masterclasses with Narek Hakhnazaryan, Jack Liebeck, Natsuko Yoshimoto, Brigid Coleridge, Peter Rejto and Howard Penny. In 2023, Joanne will continue her music studies abroad for her Masters degree at New England Conservatory under Yeesun Kim.
Violin and Voice teacher
Ariana Ricci is a second year BMus Performance student studying classical voice and violin as a full scholarship student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She graduated from the Conservatorium High School in 2019. Ariana started studying violin at the age of four and was a scholarship student at the Conservatorium Open Academy Rising Stars program from 2010. She made her solo debut with orchestra on the violin at the age of nine and has gone on to give many performances as a soloist on violin and voice in Australia and overseas. Highlights have included performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with orchestra at the age of 14, singing Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate with the CHS orchestra in 2019 as a winner of the CHS Concerto Competition, and performing Villa-Lobos’s Bacchianas Brasilieras for the Governor General of Australia (2018). She received my AMusA on violin in 2013 and her LMusA in 2015. In 2020 she received a Golden Medal in the Voice – Young Artist category of the 2nd Vienna International Music Competition and a Silver Medal in the Voice - Young Artist category of the Manhattan International Music Competition. Ariana was part of the Sydney Youth Orchestra and Sydney Children’s Choir for many years and has performed in venues such as Barcelona’s Palau de la Musica, Paris’s Notre Dame and London’s Westminster Abbey, as well as performing here many times in Angel Place, Government House and the Sydney Opera House under the baton of conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy and David Robertson.
Ariana hails from a very well known musical family, being the grand daughter of world renown violin virtuoso Ruggiero Ricci and daughter of concert pianist and lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Natalia Ricci.
Violin, Viola, Theory and Ensembles
Charlotte graduated from The University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) with Distinction. During this time she was awarded The Con Ellis Prize and a Faculty Medal for Music, from The Faculty of Education and Arts, in recognition of Academic Excellence. Charlotte went on to graduate a Master of Music, Performance Teaching Degree from The University of Melbourne.
In 2015 Charlotte received a Rotary Scholarship from Youth in Performing Arts. Charlotte performs regularly with ensembles, including the Newcastle based Civic String Quartet, Symphony Central Coast and Gosford Musical Society. Charlotte currently teaches at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music.
Charlotte has experience teaching violin, viola and ensembles. Throughout her teaching she places important emphasis on the development of good posture and correct playing technique. She approaches each lesson with positivity, enthusiasm, open-mindedness and with a student-centred approach to learning. Charlotte believes in creating a safe, positive and fun learning environment that allows students’ curiosity and creativity to flourish and supports students in reaching their full potential in music education
Piano Teacher / Music Arranger / HSC Music Accompanist
Rodric White teaches Contemporary, Jazz and Classical Piano, preparing students from Years 7 to 12 for AMEB Exams and Higher School Certificate performance. Rodric teaches beginner to advanced students in a wide range of musical genres: classical, jazz, contemporary, popular music, blues etc. Rodric prepares students for HSC Performance and admission to Tertiary Music Degrees / Courses.
Rodric White was a finalist in the 1999 National Australian Jazz Piano Competition and is a graduate of the Associate Diploma of Jazz Studies Course (NSW Conservatorium of Music) where he majored in Music Arranging and Jazz Piano, and studied Classical Piano with Gerard Willems (Judge of the Sydney International Piano Competition and ABC Recording Artist). For two years, Rodric completed an intensive course of private study with leading Sydney Pianist and Jazz Educator, Bobby Gebert. Rodric graduated from Associate Diploma of Jazz Studies Course with Credit in 1987.
Rodric White’s fine pianistic / vocal skills have seen him work with trumpeter / singer Benny Benack III (USA), International vocalists Nicki Parrott (Australia / USA), Patricia Ségui (France), Craig Fair (Canada), Juliana Areias (Brazil), Marilane De Mello (Brazil), Magdalena Mira (Chile), Rachel Delgado (Chile) and 2015 finalist Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition (USA) / winner Generations in Jazz Liam Burrows, plus leading Australian musicians Dale Barlow, Phil Slater, John Morrison, Andrew Dickeson, Jonathan Zwartz, Dave Smith and Andy Firth.
Rodric performs regularly with his Septet at Sydney’s premier Jazz Club Foundry 616 and as a solo pianist at the Shangri-la Hotel (Sydney). Rodric frequently peforms for Concerts & Events at Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, the Manly Jazz Festival, Lizotte’s (Newcastle) and for Jazz Cruises on Sydney Harbour.
From 2005 to 2009, Rodric performed a broad range of musical styles and genres with International Musicians and Entertainers aboard the luxury ships of the Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise Lines in Europe, Alaska, the United States, Canada and Caribbean.
Rodric has recorded two albums: ‘The Sea Of Tranquility’ (Newmarket Music 2006) and ‘New Jazz Directions’ (La Brava Music 1996) and recorded with saxophonist Dale Barlow on his 1997 ABC Music release, ‘Playground’, and collaborated with pianist / vocalist Dorian Mode on the arrangements for Dorian’s album, ‘Café In Venice’ (La Brava Music 2002). Rodric was the pianist / music director/ composer for French singer Patricia Ségui’s album « Je Vagabonde » released in 2017.
