education

We think, feel, interpret, process and communicate in all disciplines, using all our senses. Everything is connected.

I teach:

• art — painting and sculpture

• piano — all levels, classical to jazz; theory and harmony; preparation for RCM exams and university entrance auditions

• syncretic art — the fusion of visual art, music, dance and theatre;

• musicianship for performers; and various other courses.

I offer private lessons and workshops for all ages — in public and private junior and high schools, arts academies and colleges. I also offer individual sessions specifically targeted towards entrance auditions to arts academies and examinations.

For more information feel free to contact me directly.

I have a very effective success-based teaching method which I find very exciting, centred around conscious learning.

— meaning that we discover how to learn from observing ourselves and examining our strengths in all areas of our lives, both at and away from the instrument.

Another key aspect of my music teaching practice includes working with a metronome to cultivate musicianship, self-awareness and serenity. (You may have heard other people groan about working with a metronome but believe me, you'll soon find it a wonderful and serene working partner!)

Every lesson I ask my students — "What did you discover this week?" and all of them have something interesting to share.

Featured

Piano Lessons

Sharing my love of music through piano lessons in all styles of music, I guide students of all ages to discover for themselves — the joy of making music.

• learn to focus the mind, listen to the body & have fun learning
• cultivate musicianship, self-awareness & serenity with the metronome
• connect what you've mastered in other disciplines to playing the piano
• learn to listen, play by ear, read music, & improvise with chord charts
• cultivate good body awareness & avoid tension-related injuries
• understand chord progressions
• cultivate beautiful tone
• prepare for RCM examinations; auditions & performances
• make music that touches the heart

Theory & Harmony

Understanding Theory and Harmony is like understanding the workings of the human body, the shape of the skeleton and the functions of the organs.

Together we unlock the mystery of music . . . and examine how composers combine sounds and effects to generate deep feelings within us.

RCM examinations are a great way to evaluate your learning progress.

Musicianship for Performers

These workshops introduce the basics of music to dancers, performers, actors, artists and the general public.

• increase your musicality as a performer
• learn to understand what you are hearing
• discover how to listen, feel & respond to musical phrases
• learn how to feel and count the beats in the music
• increase your awareness of musical nuances
• connect your actions to musical accents & phrasing

Syncretic Art

Syncretic Art workshops introduce people of all ages to the fusion of visual art, music, theatre and dance.

• learn to "sing" a painting or "dance" a sculpture
• respond to colour, shape & texture through sound & movement.
• express sound & choreographic ideas using line, shape & colour.
• collaborate with others to create innovative thought provoking performances
• integrate sound, movement, visual art, music, theatre, dance & performance.

Workshops are available for:

• arts academies, arts colleges, universities
• high schools, private schools, primary & secondary schools
• special interest & community groups of all cultures

Private sessions are also available tailored specifically to individual needs —

• preparation for arts school entrance auditions
• professional development

Business in the Arts

Essential for survival in the professional arts world, these one-day-intensive workshops introduce people to the basics of:

• grant and proposal writing
• applying for grants: private & government funders
• preparing & understanding contracts
• website design
• preparing the portfolio
• documentation of artwork
• marketing & promotion

I have conducted many Business in the Arts workshops at The Art Centre -Central Technical School.

Conquering Stage-fright

This workshop, for all instrumentalists, vocalists and performers, is an informal gathering once a month, by appointment, at my studio. The events are well attended and participants learn a great deal from each other.

• free yourself of performance jitters
• develop confidence & stage presence
• enhance your concentration & focus
• perform your best every time
• allow the music, dance or drama to speak through you
• share your love of the arts with others.

All levels welcome. Beginners to advanced.

Mask Making

From ancient and powerful to fun and contemporary masks fire up the imagination and unlock the inner eye. Masks may conceal and protect, reveal and enlighten, delight and enchant, amuse or frighten.

• tap into the ancient & powerful through fun, contemporary mask & performance.
• explore your relationship to the world around you.
• create unique, comfortable, durable masks designed for active use in performance.

Together we unleash the imagination, explore creative movement, dance, music, sound and theatre and bring the mask to life.

Art Talks

Presentations, artist talks and demonstrations are available upon request.

Please check the news page for upcoming events.