Our Teachers
Our teachers are university-level trained musicians. Alongside their teaching practice, they are brilliant performers in their own right, and enjoy success in multidisciplinary portfolio careers.
Scroll directly below to read about Elva (Studio Director & Head Teacher) and the Administrative Assistants
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Click the buttons below to navigate directly to each instrument area.
Elva – Learn Music Studio Director & Piano Teacher
Elva is an inspiring, versatile, and gifted pianist who has been teaching in Melbourne for over 20 years.
For all of her students, Elva strives to lead by example by acting with kindness, warmth, and enthusiasm.
Elva’s hope for her students is that they establish a lifelong relationship with piano that provides them with enjoyment and personal fulfilment.
Elva holds both a Bachelor and Masters of Music in Performance from Melbourne University, where she studied under the guidance of Prof. Ian Holtham.
Whilst Elva was brought up with a classical technique, she herself has a modern approach to teaching which is inclusive of composition,
songwriting, orchestration, and improvisation. Her students range from complete beginners, to students who excel at the AMEB LMus and ABRSM Diploma examination levels.
Elva has been Learn Music’s Director and Studio Manager since 2015.
Clynton – Brass
Administrative Assistant
Clynton is a French Horn player who holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music/University of Melbourne. He currently works as a freelance brass player, music administrator, and music teacher.
Whilst Clynton’s primary instrument is French Horn, he also teaches trumpet and trombone.
Piano & Vocal
Samantha – Vocal
Laura – Piano
Laura holds a Masters degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada (2012). Laura began teaching in her family home in Carbonear in 2004 and has since seen some of her first generation of students pursue master of music degrees of their own! Having joined the Learn Music teaching community shortly after her arrival in Australia is 2017, Laura continues to foster foundational musicality and creativity in students of all ages. Her love of pianos has been featured in a documentary, ‘Play My Piano Forever’, and Laura’s album of solo classical piano masterpieces, Solo/So High, is available on iTunes and Bandcamp. “Music lessons are the best investment, I promise you, no matter your age or stage.”
Michelle – Piano
Elsa – Piano
Elsa has completed her master’s degree in music performance teaching from the University of Melbourne. She was initially exposed to classical music as a child, but as she grew up, she became increasingly interested in jazz. The process of exploring jazz performing led her to realize the importance of transforming basic musical knowledge into personal abilities. Her teaching philosophy therefore emphasizes training student’s listening skills and creativity.
“Learning music goes beyond understanding the staff and music symbols”. Her goal is for all students to be completely familiar with the instruments they play, to be able to perceive music with their ears, and to be able to create their own music with their hearts.
Jamie – Piano
Jamie began playing the piano at the age of four and has been teaching piano since 2017. She enjoys teaching music because she likes to help other people with her musical skills and knowledge. Jamie passed AMEB Piano Grade 8 examination at the age of 14, and has completed Bachelor of Music and Master of Music (Performance Teaching) at the University of Melbourne, achieving First Class Honours. She has also studied Master of Teaching (Secondary) at the Australian Catholic University.
Jamie’s biggest strengths as a musician and person are her capacities for problem solving and her razor–sharp attention to details. Her teaching style is holistic, in that it is important to her to learn about her students both as musicians and human beings, and to foster a positive student–teacher relationship. Jamie has also been active as a composer and piano accompanist since 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Joyce – Piano
Joyce is a musician who holds a Bachelor of Music (Classical Piano) and a Master’s of Teaching from the University of Melbourne. She currently works as a music teacher and as a freelance musician. Her musical journey began on the violin, followed shortly by the piano, which became her main instrument at a very young age. Joyce has always been interested in the process of education and the passing of her knowledge and love of music to others. She always considers her students’ learning goals and styles to tailor them while maintaining fun and enjoyment. This is driven by her vision that music is not only enjoyable to listen to but is beneficial to all aspects of life.
Ruth – Piano
Cassandra – Piano
Guitar, Bass, and Ukulele
Nick – Guitar, Bass
Nick has been playing the electric bass and guitar for 31 years and has been teaching for the last 16. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1998 from Southern Cross University. He has performed in a vast array of different bands from Blues to Rock to Jazz to Funk. Nick has a deep passion for education and prides himself on his ability to balance fun and discipline during his lessons. Nick has an intuitive understanding of different learning styles and knows how to motivate students in a safe and comfortable environment.
Nick is one half of a guitar/cello ambience music duo Beyond The Lake. Coming Home, their most recent album, was launched in April 2022.
James – Guitar
James has been teaching at Learn Music for over 25 years. After completing a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University he furthered his passion and completed 3 years of Jazz Studies at the Victorian College of the Arts. He has taught at the VCA and Monash University as well as many ongoing private students. His musical tastes and influences are many and varied and he has been a member of many groups.
Mariella – Guitar
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Violin and Drums
Katerina – Violin
Ali – Drum
Aja – Violin