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
Karen – Piano
Karen has finished both ABRSM and Trinity piano Grade 8. She is classically trained and a graduate of Middlesex University London with a Master in Music and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Music. She has also completed her JSAC Yamaha Music Courses. Karen is a dedicated and caring teacher with 15 years experience. She takes each student’s individual strength and area of challenges into account to bring out the absolute best in each one of them.
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.”
Jovanna – 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. Jamie enjoys teaching music because she likes to help other people with her musical skills and knowledge. She passed AMEB Piano Grade 8 examination at the age of 14. Jamie has completed Bachelor of Music and Master of Music (Performance Teaching) at the University of Melbourne, achieving First Class Honours. She is currently studying Master of Teaching (Secondary) at the Australian Catholic University [ACU].
Jamie’s biggest strengths as a musician and person are her capacities for problem solving and her razor–sharp attention to detail. Her teaching style is holistic, in that it is important to her to learn about her students both as musicians and as human beings, and to foster a positive student–teacher relationship. Jamie’s future goals as an educator include teaching violin and harpsichord, and completing a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Jamie has also been active as a composer and piano accompanist since 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Reuben – Piano
Reuben grew up on the Mornington Peninsula, making the move to Melbourne to commence classical piano studies at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Studying under internationally renowned pianist Kristian Chong throughout his undergraduate studies, Reuben’s honours year saw a shift from practical performance towards research on the cultural and philosophical aspects of western performance practices. After completion of a coursework masters in performance teaching at the University of Melbourne, Reuben wishes to continue to grow musically and contribute to making music more accessible and inclusive through creative projects, performance, and pedagogy.
David – Piano
David started his piano lessons in early primary school days and in 2001, he obtained his Advance Diploma from Yamaha Academy of Music Malaysia, followed by BA (Hon) Music Degree from Middlesex University in London. His passion in research methodology and piano performance brought him back to his his alma mater in 2009, where he successfully completed his Master Degree 2 years later. As a piano tutor for 15 years, he believes music nurtures and moulds good personality, apart from acquiring skills in musicianship that last a lifetime.
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.
Jack – Guitar
Jack has been playing music for over a decade and is well versed in a vast array of styles and genres. He is knowledgeable in playing and teaching guitar, electric bass and ukulele and can be seen playing such instruments around Melbourne in bands such as The Long and Short of It, BAZL and his own Jack Morrish & The Loser Machine.
Jack is completing his final year at Victoria University this year, studying a Bachelor of Music. He hopes to develop a long career as a session musician and artist.
Matt – Guitar
Matt is a musician, guitarist/vocalist, teacher, (specialising in jazz) and a music producer. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (contemporary music) Honours Degree, University of Melbourne. Diploma of Music (MWT Institute) Matt has performed in many bands such as Vince Jones, been the opening act for Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Neils-Henning Orsted Pederson and Stevie Wonder. He has ben on National TV as a regular member of Wilber Wildes Blowout. He has played with Paul Grabowsky, David Jones, Marcia Hines and his own Matt Kirsch Trio. He has recorded with Ross Wilson and man other well known names He is currently a sessional guitar tutor, assessor for Honours Students final exams and guitar master classes.
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.
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Violin and Drums
Ali – Drums
Sunni – Violin
Sunni Rae is a recent Bachelor of Music (Violin Performance) graduate, set to commence an Honours in Ethnomusicology at the university of Melbourne. Sunni currently holds a position with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, and has been engaged in Melbourne Conservatorium’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber groups, and Early Music Ensembles.
Passionate about providing quality musical education to students, Sunni’s pedagogical approach emphasises collaborative learning, tailored teaching methods, and mindfulness and relaxation techniques. She is comfortable teaching from AMEB and ABRSM syllabus, providing preparation for auditions and VCE exams. Having grown up with the Suzuki method, Sunni deeply resonates with its teaching style. She believes that a solid music education, rooted in approaches like Suzuki, not only nurtures musical skills but instils character, sensitivity and discipline within children.
Sunni strives to foster a supportive teacher – student dynamics, whilst encouraging a love for music and nurturing the holistic development of Aspiring young musicians.