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Bio

I’ve taught students piano, theory and composition since 1997. Many of these students have gone on to tertiary study and careers in piano performance, composition, music education and jazz performance. More importantly, I’ve shared my passion for music with many, many students and they all still love the piano!

I am also a composer and my pieces are performed all around the globe (which I think is pretty cool!). If you want to hear some of my compositions, head on over to my publishing website. You can listen to some of the pieces that you will be learning in lessons.

I’ve conducted workshops on composition and teaching for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference and for music teachers in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, Airlie Beach, Bunbury  and the Sunshine Coast. I’ve adjudicated competitions in Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland and examined in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.

I hold a Fellowship in Music Education (F.MusEd.ASMC), a Licentiate in Piano Teaching (L.Dip.SCSM), and an Associate Diploma in Piano Performance (A.Mus.A). I am a current council member of The Australian Society of Musicology and Composition and have previously been the Vice President of the Queensland Music Teachers’ Association.

I currently live in Wavell Heights with my wife Melanie (now a doctor but previously an extremely competitive piano teacher), my daughter Annabelle (a creator of epic mess and a lover of ff cluster chords on the piano), the newer addition Frederick (“the cute one”), and our dog Bella (an avant-garde artist responsible for the “earth art” creations in the back yard). When I’m not annoying the piano or teaching I occupy my time chasing after the children, walking the dog, going for the (occasional) run, reading, eating and generally making merry.

In a previous life I had a brief moment of sporting glory when I represented Australia in athletics.

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Teaching Info

I offer tuition in piano, theory and composition at my private studio in Wavell Heights, Qld. This air-conditioned, purpose-built space features a Yamaha grand piano, waiting room and an extensive array of musical technology. My teaching hours are:

• 3pm to 8:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• 12pm to 4pm Saturday
• during school hours Monday to Friday

Mission Statement

The over-riding goal of my tuition is to create a meaningful and rewarding connection between a student and the music that they play. Great emphasis is placed on providing skills that will stay with the student and benefit them long after formal lessons have ended. Whilst exams and other formal means of grading students are important, I recognise that not all students respond to a purely traditional approach and lessons are tailored to individual tastes and goals. I personally enjoy composing, performing and teaching a wide range of musical styles and genres and I feel equally at home in the “classical” and “contemporary” music worlds. Many of my students have gone on to pursue careers in music in teaching, composing and performing but, more importantly, I am still in touch with many former students and they still love playing the piano!