For
up to date information regarding term dates, concerts and other bits and pieces, please go here >>
If you are interested in receiving lessons please email your details or call (03) 9092 0505 or 0416 077 965. Preference is given to siblings and student referrals, so please mention who referred you if this is the case.
18/10/2008 - I am no longer accepting students for 2008. As I am so booked up, I am currently accepting the following types of students for 2009: students aged 11 and above, students who have 3rd grade AMEB or equilivilent and Adult beginners. I am no longer taking on young students, unless they have reached at least 3rd Grade level.
Detailed information about lessons, piano and keyboards, prices and more. Go here >>
Lessons are held at my studio in inner city Melbourne (Westgarth/Northcote). Lessons are usually 30 minutes long, once a week. I teach each weekday (not weekends!) commencing at 2:15pm, and some daytime/lunchtimes. Adult students can have fortnightly lessons to fit in with their busy busy lives, likewise serious young students may have several lessons a week.
Payments are due at the start of each term in advance. There is a strict 24 hour cancellation policy, lessons will then be credited or made up at another time (up to 2 lessons per term). Late payers may be glared at and receive stroppy emails.
I have a very small and happy dog (see picture) who is present during lessons. She is mainly quiet and very popular with students who often say hello to her first, rather than me.
A parent or carer is welcome to attend lessons, however I would prefer that siblings/friends do not.
Background:
Andrea began piano at the age of 6 with a Star Trek obsessed, migraine suffering piano teacher in her home town of Newborough, Victoria. She attended various local and regional eisteddfods each year with numerous successes and as well as some spectacularly embarrassing performances, and sat AMEB exams irregularly, completing her A.Mus at the age of 17. She was particularly happy when she won money rather than those dinky little trophies. She began teaching at 15 and was only allowed to charge $2.50 for 30 minutes otherwise her Mum wouldn't let her do it. Any money made went toward fluorescent nail polishes, bubble skirts and other glorious 80's fashions (which sadly have come back in style).
At 18 she went to study music at The School of Music, Melbourne University (commonly known as "The Con") with teacher Dr. Ian Holtham for four years, completing her Bachelor of Music in 1993. She then took a year off and did nothing of note except have a very nice time and very little sleep.
In 1995 she set up The Music Collective, a music school based at Carlton Gardens Primary school in Rathdowne St. Carlton. It grew to include 7 teachers of various instruments, dance and genres and the end of year concerts became disturbing long. After 10 years of her Directorship, Andrea decided to leave CGPS and end the Music Collective when the political climate of the school became increasingly crazy, and moved her teaching to her home in inner city Melbourne where she now happily presides. Other teachers involved with The Music Collective also went to their respective happy place and good cheer was felt all round.
Andrea now teaches lucky students who do and do not practice regularly, and have many successes and a few embarrassing failures of their own. She is particularly fond of interesting excuses for lack of practice and is always keen to hear a new one.