Our Editors in Profile
Catherine Dobbie B.A. (Syd.) , L.T.C.L. , A.T.C.L. , A.Mus.A. , A.S.C.M., Grad.Dip.Ed, M.A.C.E
Australian Violinist & Music Educator
Catherine Dobbie is presented the AMEB Teacher of the Year Shield by Australian Composer Peter Sculthorpe at the Sydney Town Hall .
Catherine Dobbie is one of Australia’s leading violin teachers. She is regarded as a leading figure in music education in Sydney and has twice been recognised by the Australian Music Examinations Board with the award of the A.M.E.B. Private Music Teacher Shield.
Following her primary education at SCEGGS, Catherine completed her secondary education at MLC School (where she was awarded the Lindley Evans Prize for Music) and the Conservatorium High School in Sydney followed by advanced musical studies with acclaimed Australian violinist Christopher Kimber and the Australian composer and pianist Marjorie Hesse. While completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Sydney she continued her violin studies and also studied singing with Grant Dickson at the Sydney Conservatorium. As violinist with the Pogodin Trio, Catherine has performed for the University of Sydney and has broadcast for Radio 2MBS-FM.
As a Director of the Sydney International Music Camps, Catherine has been involved with stimulating music education by bringing together young musicians to experience the joys of orchestral music making. In 1994 she was appointed Sydney Representative for the Trinity College London International Examinations Program before moving on to her current position as Co- Editor of the Sydney Directory of Music & Speech Teachers with her twin brother Warrick.
Following violin teaching positions at Trinity Grammar School, Meriden School and PLC Sydney, Catherine established herself as one of Sydney’s leading violin teachers. Currently most of her teaching is now conducted at her own private School for Strings located at the heart of Sydney’s inner western education belt Many of her students have had great success in gaining sought after music scholarships at Sydney private schools, a recent highlight saw two of Sydney’s leading private schools each offering one of Catherine’s students a full music scholarship both covering 100% of the student’s school fees for Years 7 to 12.
Warrick Dobbie LL.M (ANU) , ASCM , LTCL (T), DSCM (Syd. Con.) , Grad.Dip.Ed. , Dip.Law , FTCL
Australian Cellist & Music Educator
A Graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium and a Fellow of Trinity College of Music London, Warrick Dobbie is recognised internationally as a leading figure in music performance & education. As a cellist, he has performed throughout the world including performances as guest Associate Principal Cellist of the University of Adelaide Cello Ensemble on their acclaimed tour of Russia, Germany, Italy and Serbia and with the International Opera Festival for their performances of Verdi’s opera Aida in Tokyo Japan.
In music education circles, Warrick and his twin sister, violinist Catherine Dobbie, are perhaps best known for their work as Sydney Representatives for the Trinity College of Music London International Examinations Program. Following this post, Warrick and Catherine accepted responsibility for the management and editorial direction of the Sydney Directory of Music & Speech Teachers. This publication has been credited in recent years with drawing together the diverse elements of Sydney’s exciting professional music education scene.
Warrick studied cello in Australia with Colleen McMeekin, before completing advanced studies with Russian cellist Alex Pogodin and Danish cellist Georg Pedersen. During his time as a student at the Sydney Conservatorium he was invited to play in performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and was also a prize winner in the ABC Conducting Competition which saw him conduct the ABC Sinfonia in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House. On returning to Australia following scholarship studies at the Royal College of Music London with Joan Dickson and in France with Maud Tortelier and Andre Navarra, Warrick established himself as one of Sydney’s leading cello teachers – he has previously taught cello at many of Sydney’s private schools including MLC School, Meriden, PLC Sydney and Shore Grammar School. Currently most of his teaching is now conducted at his own private School for Strings located at the heart of Sydney’s inner west education belt. In recent years Warrick’s cello students have been awarded prestigious Music Scholarships at Sydney Private Schools, including Newington College, MLC School and PLC Sydney covering academic fees for Years 7 to12.
In addition to his professional activities in music, Warrick is also a qualified lawyer after having been recognised as one of Australia’s top law students with the award of the Butterworths Prize in 2002. He now holds a Master of Laws degree from the Australian National University in Canberra. As a lawyer, he has a particular interest in Internet and Media / Communications Law and also Animal Rights Law.
Warrick studying with French Cellist,
Andre Navarra.