Teachers

Matthew Flattley
Matthew began learning the guitar when he was 10 years old with renowned classical guitarist, Sebastian Jorgensen. While retaining his love for the classical guitar, he progressed through rock, jazz and latin styles during his teens and early twenties. He has extensive experience as a session guitarist and songwriter and has worked in some of Melbourne's major venues and residencies. He leads his own group and continues his love of live performance. As a guitar teacher, Matthew has taught all levels, always achieving the highest results for his students - personally or in examinations. More than anything else, it is Matthew's love of music and joy of imparting it to others that led him to establish Lygon Music School.

Tim Jaques
Tim's enthusiasm and love for singing cannot help but rub off on all who are with him. He believes that developing a sound and healthy technique is essential for all styles of singing. His own musical life reflects this. 

He has an impressive list of public performances, is completely at home with the vocal music of Handel and Mozart, but also loves Gershwin, Ella Fitzgerald and Human Nature and lists Bon Jovi and Rod Stewart as strong musical influences. Tim has completed a Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University, majoring in voice, and is currently completing his final year at The Opera School Melbourne.

 
Shannon Millard
Shannon is a specialist guitar teacher trained in the classical tradition and has a music degree from the University of Melbourne. His particular love of teaching comes from the sense of possibility that each student brings and the way in which the teacher's performance is enriched by the student's learning. He has a strong interest in the interaction of different styles of music, is very interested in composition and loves the simple musical expression of composers as far apart as J.S. Bach and Elvis Costello. He also loves the touch and feel of musical instruments, and has built his own marimba and various percussion instruments.

Talei Wolfgramm
For voice students whose main interest is the contemporary music scene, it is hard to imagine a better teacher than Talei. She has been performing as an independent, frontline and supporting artist for more than 15 years, with her own band, and with artists such as Jet, Leo Sayer, Tina Arena, Renee Geyer, Kate Ceberano, Ross Wilson and Tim Rogers. She also has extensive experience in television and radio as a writer, producer, compere and host. Talei has a particular interest in encouraging and supporting the musical development of children and young people.  

Elvis Aljus
Our energy comes from an inner rhythm that makes us move and makes us want to dance.  This is why Elvis has been a drummer and percussionist for over 20 years. He began as a child, completed formal studies at NMIT and, since then, has lived at the heart of Australia's music scene. He has played with Kate Ceberano, Rene Geyer, Joe Bataan, Vince Jones, Joe Camilleri, Kylie and Danni Minogue, Killing Heidi and Marcia Hines. Some of his main influences are: Ira Kere, Kings of Leon, James Brown and the Black Eyed Peas. Elvis teaches because he wants to pass-on all that he has learned to a new generation of players. Music, he believes, heals us in a way that nothing else can.

Emma Avery
Bmus (Monash University)
Cert. Music Performance (VCA)

Emma has studied music since she was young, taking up classical piano when she was 12 and classical voice when she was 15. After receiving an award for outstanding achievement in her VCE music studies (classical voice), she discovered a passion for jazz which led her to continue her music education at the Victorian College of the Arts completing a Certificate in Music Performance and Improvisation, and subsequently attaining a Bachelor of Music (Jazz/Popular singing) at Monash University.

Emma has performed at numerous venues around Melbourne and Victoria such as BMW Edge - Federation Square, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, 2004 Official Grand Prix Ball at Crown Palladium, 2004 Australian Open Launch at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Concert Hall, Alexander Theatre, Robert Blackwood Hall, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club and Dizzy's Jazz Bar.

Although jazz is Emma's speciality, she has a passion for all styles of music and is able to teach styles ranging from Classical to Contemporary, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Country, Folk, Musical Theatre and Improvisation. Emma is also familiar with AMEB exams, having completed exams on piano, voice and music theory.

Jeremy Burrows
Music without the bass is like a meal without the herbs and seasoning, and a good bass player is like a master chef who knows exactly where the right notes and rhythms lie. Jeremy has completed a bachelor's degree in music and is continuing with post-graduate studies. He has played in a number of Australia's leading orchestras as a double bass player, and has many years experience playing both the double bass and the electric bass in rock groups and jazz ensembles. He also has many years of teaching experience and finds a deep satisfaction in introducing his students to the subtleties and limitless possibilities of his instruments.

Tim Burnham
Drumming from the age of ten, Tim grew up playing big band swing, brass band snare drumming, funk and heavy metal. He went on to compete tertiary studies in music and become an integral part of Melbourne's, and Australia's, music scene. 

As well as teaching, Tim has formed his own bands, for whom he writes much of the music (The Blackwood Creatures and The Funknecks), and played with many others, including: Lloyd Spiegel, Ash Grunwald, Jimi 'The Human' Hocking, and Chris Wilson.

Tim is a dedicated teacher and tailors his lessons to his students' styles of learning and expectations. He has a 'teach a man to fish' approach, putting his students in charge of their own musical exploration and development as much as is possible. It is not surprising that so many of his students have gone on to pursue further studies in music and become successful musicians.

Harley Stewart
Harley is an original and dedicated musician with a wealth of experience. He was bought up playing guitars and has travelled the world developing his versatile, stylistic voice.

While he has always had a strong interest in jazz, rock, funk, blues and reggae, a formative influence on his playing has been the time he spent in Brazil and other South American countries. Together with his time as a student of the guitar at VCA, this experience of learning from, and playing with, many of those countries' most accomplished musicians, has provided him with musical understanding and insight impossible to get in any other way.

Harley has worked with some of Australia's most respected musicians. He has toured here and overseas, and composed and produced music for many of our country's leading artists.

Music provides Harley with a chance to express himself creatively and originally in a way that no other medium can. His musicianship and breadth of experience make him an outstanding mentor and teacher for students of the guitar.

Quinn Stacpoole
Quinn teaches across all styles but specialises in jazz, blues and contemporary keyboard. He began learning music at the age of 9, studied classical piano for many years, then jazz performance at NMIT. He names Duke Ellington and Thelonius Monk as two of the greatest influences in his musical development. He is also a fan of artists as diverse as David Bowie, Carol King, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.

As well as teaching, Quinn is the singer/songwriter for the band, The Crumbling Beauties. He also plays piano and keyboard for Plastic Palace Alice. Teaching is one of the most rewarding aspects of his musical world. He loves to see people fulfilling their dreams. Music, he says, is one of the best ways of getting to know who you are.

Initially inspired by classic rock, Peter studied at The University of Ballarat, which opened his ears to the world of jazz and fusion music. He subseqently completed a Bachelor of Australian Popular Music at NMIT, where he received tuition from the great Steve Magnusson.

Upon completion of his degree, Peter has been busy teaching at The University of Ballarat. He is actively performing a wide range of styles including jazz fusion, rock, funk, country and everything in between! Peter has also performed at such venues as The MCG, Etihad, the Regent Theatre, the Espy, the Evelyn Hotel, The Northcote Social Club and many more.

Peter cites his musical influences as Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knoffler, David Herchfelder and  AC/DC, to Jaco Pastorius and Herbie Hancock. His involvement in performance coupled with his teaching experience ensures that he takes a well rounded approach to teaching.

Olaf Scott
Are you thinking about learning to play the piano or taking it to a new level? Are you interested in popular music, latin, jazz, soul, funk, pop or rock? Do you want a teacher who has extensive formal education as well as heaps of experience in the music industry?

Then you can't do any better than Olaf, especially if you want a teacher who thinks deeply about life, having already completed a joint music and philosophy major at Monash University. Also, four years of Music Performance at NMIT, whilst studying privately under renowned musician and jazz educator, Steve Sedergreen.

Olaf cites his major musical influences as Herbie Hancock, Donny Hathaway, Booker T and Chucho Valdes. As well as teaching, he performs locally with many well-known bands in venues such as The Forum, The Espy, Bennetts Lane and Federation Square; and at various festivals : Falls Festival, Apollo Bay, St. Kilda Festival and Johnson Street Hispanic Fiesta.

Lillie Duxbury
For those of you who may be putting of learning how to sing, Lillie may serve as a reminder. She began to sing professionally at seven years of age and is now part of the Australian scene; a highly accomplished singer  across all styles, and has been teaching for a decade."How many people," she asks, "are lucky enough to love their job as much as I do?" Then adds: "It is such a wonderful feeling to pass on knowledge and skills to those who really want to sing."

So it doesn't matter whether you scene is country, contemporary, pop, opera jazz or rock. Lillie performs all styles and is into Mozart as much as Michael Jackson; Judy Garland and Patsy Cline as much as Celine Dion and Madonna. She has performed at various venues from television to the Opera House, as well as alongside such artists as Troy Cassar-Daley, The Wolverines, Tania Kernaghan and Kasey Chambers. Her amazing bio also includes working with the vocal coach for Human Nature and Nicole Kidman; Mary Lopez and many more.

Lillie also believes that those who have their sights set on a professional career need to learn about the industry itself, and she considers it an important part of her job to impart her experience in film, television, music competitions, major productions and the pub scene.

So if you want an enthusiastic, deeply committed singing teacher with heaps of experience, Lillie is the person for you, "For as long as I can sing and teach and be surrounded by music," she says, "I will be happy."
 

John Soulianidis

John started studying music at the age of 11, and his love for the guitar and it's complexities grew from there. Influenced by Hendrix and Jimi Page to Mike Stern and Pat Matheney, John is at home in jazz, blues, pop and rock.

He has been teaching for the last five years and has completed an Advanced Diploma of Music Performance and a Bachelor of Australian Popular Music. He received tuition from some of Australia's finest guitarists such as: Tom Friar, Steve Magnusson and Lucas Michailidis.

John directs lessons with a personalised approach that will keep the student engaged while focusing on their own musical interests and journey. "It is a joy to watch students grow as musicians and form an understanding of the instrument as the weeks progress!"

Anna Karnikowski
Anna attended the Conservatorium of Music High School where she received high distinctions in her piano and flute studies. She completed her tertiary studies at Sydney University attaining a BA/Bmus majoring in piano performance.

Anna has taught at the prestigious Sydney schools, Loreto Kirribilli and SCECGS Redlands for 6 years and privately for over 10 years. As well as her love of teaching, she enjoys performing and has performed both solo and in ensembles at the Sydney Opera House as well as various piano concerti with Sydney University Orchestra and Beecroft Orchestra.

Anna also accompanies singers and instrumentalists in various examinations, eisteddfods and VCE performances as well as corporate. So if you are dreaming of learning the piano or reaching the heights of your potential, Anna will help you "live your dream"!

Ella Thompson

Ella began singing at an early age; she has learned vocal technique and style from some of the country's best singers including Michelle Nicole, Renee Geyer, Susie Ahern and Vika Bull. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Music Performance (improvisation), majoring in contemporary voice at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Ella is known as a recording artist and songwriter, appearing on TV shows such as RockWiz and It Takes Two, she has performed with artists such as Dan Sultan, Paul Kelly, The Bamboos, Renee Geyer and Diesel. She has a love for soul music and grew up listening to Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight and Etta James.

Ella takes pride in a healthy vocal technique and an understanding of the music industry. She feels at home with students from beginners to advanced in contemporary styles such as jazz, pop, rock, soul, RnB and gospel.

If you are serious about learning or improving your improvisation skills, performance skills (including how to tackle stage fright), song delivery, phrasing, breathing, improving vocal stamina, tone and resonance, as well as song writing techniques - you can't go past Ella.