I teach music face-to-face and online* in an open, free-flowing format that emphasises curiosity and pure creative expression. I am able to guide students in performance, songwriting, composition, recording and music production across many styles and instruments. I have experience in folk, rock, jazz, choral, orchestral and electronic music. Students are welcome to study multiple instruments at once, but I would recommend choosing one or two areas of study and sticking to those for a while before rotating.
Areas of specialty are:
- guitar and bass
- piano
- voice
- ukulele
- songwriting and composition
- electronic music production (specialising in Ableton Live)
- recording and music production
- synthesisers and music technology
- self-doubt and performance anxiety
- cultivating flow
- developing a thriving creative practice
My approach to music education does not lean heavily on any specific method or focus on the development of knowledge or ability, although those naturally come in time. While I do pull resources from traditional teaching materials, the focus is always on practical experiential-based learning. My aim is to encourage the development of passionate, joyful, self-motivated musical explorers who can forge their own path. That is not to say that my approach lacks discipline – on the contrary, I wish to impart an understanding of discipline that is steady, kind and sustainable. This may take more time, but it is a beautiful and honest journey to make.
Music is yoga. It is a vehicle of radical transformation, a road we can take back to our true self.
Beginning with an area of special interest to the student, we explore music through small creative projects, guided by an inner sense of curiosity and joy, and over time grow in both general and specialist abilities. Gradually, we widen the circle and become more refined and capable musicians across many areas of interest, all the while having fun and deepening into an intuitive understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
I have 3 years of experience as a disability support worker and have taught many neurodivergent clients. I have ADHD myself.
NDIS-funded support is available for plan and self-managed clients.
Cost: $80 per hour. Invoices can be paid week to week or by the term.
Location: Hamilton North home music studio – with full privacy, waiting room and bathroom.
Regular weekly or fortnightly spots are available, and one-off lessons are also welcomed.
2-to-1 lessons are also possible at the same cost. This can be a great way of splitting the cost with a friend.
I would recommend that children up to 13 years of age book half-hourly lessons once a week. From age 13 and up, hourly lessons are best. Generally speaking, it is better to have a one hour lesson every 2 weeks than a half-hourly lesson once a week.
NDIS customers please note I would usually recommend the following line item:
09_011_0125_6_3 – Capacity-Building Supports/Increased Social and Community Participation – Community Participation Activities
If there is insufficient funding available for the above, then it may be possible to use either of the following and pay the difference of $22.90 privately:
15_037_0117_1_3 – Improved Daily Living Skills – Individual Personal Life Skills Development & Training, Includes Public Transport Training & Support
04_104_0125_6_1 – Access Community Social and Recreation Activities – Weekday Daytime
✱ I am exploring the possibility of using a new piece of software called FarPlay, which allows the possibility of near-instant communication within a local radius. This allows us to actually play together in a satisfying way without too much latency. As long as you live on the east coast of Australia, it should work, but the closer you are to Newcastle the better. If you can also connect your computer to your internet modem, that is ideal. Take a look at farplay.com for more info.
Interested? Make an enquiry below.