Australian Woodwind Teachers On-Line Guide

Link to Sydney Directory of Music & Speech Teachers - Homepage

Index : ... click on name for teacher profile & photo

Patricia Donohoe M.Mus. , D.S.C.M. (P&T), L.Mus.A., F.T.C.L. , F.L.C.M. , L.G.S.M.

Teacher of Flute

Patricia Donohoe ( nee Harris ) came from a musical family. Her grandfather played the flute. Her mother played the piano and soprano saxophone, her father the banjo and the cello and her brother played the trumpet. Patricia began formal piano lessons at the age of three. She attended Brigidine Convent, Randwick where the nuns advised her to learn the flute and join the school's symphony orchestra. Her teachers and family provided an exciting, encouraging musical environment.

Victor McMahon became her flute teacher from the age of ten for many years at the NSW Conservatorium and under his excellent guidance she was awarded the D.S.C.M. (teacher) and two years later, the D.S.C.M. (performer). She studied piano with Nancy Salas and singing with Leo Demant at the Conservatorium. She was awarded the A.T.C.L. (winning a gold medal for the first in the State in Singing) and L.T.C.L. in Singing. Patricia was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship and Teachers College Scholarship as a result of her Leaving Certificate results. She accepted the latter and successfully completed the four year music course at the Sydney Teachers College and the Conservatorium to become a secondary school specialist music teacher.

She taught music in NSW secondary schools for several years before going to England to teach in a girls grammar school in Kent for one year. This exchange experience was arranged for her by the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers and the NSW Department of Education. She gained more diplomas in flute whilst in England. On her return to Australia she wrote a report for the NSW Department of Education on the training of music teachers.

One year after her return from England she was appointed as a full time lecturer in Music Education by the NSW Department of Education. After many years lecturing in music education and flute, Patricia resigned because of family commitments. She later returned to school teaching and was appointed to teach music in selective high schools.

Patricia was the first person to be awarded the Master of Music degree from the University of NSW in April 1988. Her research project for this degree " Breath of Dirima " was an ethnomusicological study of the music, especially the rich flute music, of the people of Dirima, a village in the Chimbu Province of Papua New Guinea. Patricia had visited Dirima with her young family to study and record this music. Copies of her research project were lodged with the Music Department of the University of NSW, the Institute of PNG Studies in Port Moresby and the Australian Museum.

In 2003 Patricia completed a post graduate certificate in TESOL. She retired from the NSW Department of Education & Training recently and is now concentrating on teaching the flute privately. Patricia teaches students of all ages and levels and hopes to pass on her love of the flute to her students.

Studio located at Gymea in Sydney.

Phone : 9524 2757

Deborah de Graaff B.Mus (Sydney)

Clarinettist - Specialist in performance and practice techniques

Both the National and Commonwealth winner of the ABC's Instrumental and Vocal Competition, Deborah performed the Françaix Clarinet Concerto with leading orchestras around Australia, participated in International Congresses and competitions in Munich and London and in 1987 was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Scholarship. She has recorded many times for the ABC and performed as chamber soloist with her mother, contralto Lauris Elms, Rita Hunter, Geoffrey Parsons, John Winter and performed concertos at the Sydney Opera House and Angel Place with Richard Bonynge, Paul Dyer and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and The Sydney Mozart players. Chamber music performances have taken her throughout Australia and internationally to Vietnam and England. In more recent years she has perfomed the Mozart Concerto with several orchestras in Sydney, the Gerald Finzi Concerto with Steel City Strings and premiered a Double Concerto for Violin and Clarinet by David Periera. Recital performances, radio broadcasts and concerto performances continued throughout 2007 and included a recording for Melba records of opera and instrumental obligati with Deborah Reidel and Richard Bonynge.

Her CD recordings include; A Clarinet Collection, an all Australian CD Ulpirra, which are currently available on the Walsingham Classics label, and performances as a member of the Shirmer Ensemble on the Naxos label. Brahms - The Complete Works for Clarinet has been released as a double CD set by ABC Classics as well as numerous small label listings of Australian compositions. Two CDs of Enchanted Winds featuring Australian compositions by Kristopher Spike for flute, clarinet and piano trio, have been released in sold out recitals at the recital Hall in the Conservatoirum. New recordings featuring her solo clarinet in recital and as member of Power of Three trio (with John Martin-Piano and Leah Lock-Flute), will be available on line through the iTunes Music Store. She is regulaly broadcast on ABC FM as soloist and as part of her trio.

As well as producing recordings for Walsingham Classics, Naxos, ABC Classics, Melba Recordings and iTunes, Deborah de Graaff has developed several techniques in her wind teaching that have led her to further study and writing. She has for some years been carrying out academic research into the efficiency of practice and is now working on a PhD at NSW University. Deborah has submitted four papers for peer review journals in the last year and presented a paper at the International Conference on Music Communications Science in December 2007. She is currently a lecturer in Clarinet at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Private Studios located at Turramurra, Town Hall Station (City)

Contact Ph 0402 953 787

Ilse Harris A.D.M.T.

Teacher of Clarinet & Saxophone

Mature Teacher

Fully Accredited

20 Years Experience

Music for Pleasure or preparation for Trinity, AMEB, High School & HSC Exams

Lessons given in studio at North Narrabeen or Pittwater College of Music, Mona Vale

Ph Fax (02)9913 2453

Margery Smith A.Mus.A. , Dip.Mus.Ed. (Syd. Con.) , PhD (Univ. Newcastle) , Dip.Perf. & Communication Skills (Guildhall School London)

Teacher of Clarinet, Saxophone & Musicianship

Margery Smith is a Sydney-based performer, composer and improviser and one of Australia’s finest instrumentalists. She studied clarinet and saxophone at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, as well as in Europe and the USA. Past lives have been as Associate Principal Clarinet with the Sydney Symphony and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. As a composer her work includes pieces for Orchestra Victoria, Continuum Sax, PACT Youth Theatre, and Sydney Omega Ensemble and the 2006 Brisbane Restrung Festival. As an artist, Margery’s work is characterized by artistic innovation and a passion for contemporary classical music performance. At present, her career incorporates time spent composing, teaching, as well as various projects involving the use of improvisation and collaboration in educational and community contexts. Margery has taught clarinet & saxophone at Sydney Conservatorium and the University of Newcastle from beginners to post-graduate level of study.

 Studios located at Newtown and Sydney City (near Wynyard)

Phone : 0413 731 726

My aims as a teacher…

To foster individual creativity…creativity is the core of my teaching practice

My goal as a teacher is to explore and facilitate the musical potential that exists in all people. I work as a mentor with my students, developing creative solutions to musical problems.

My teaching strengths are:

Developing efficient practice techniques

Creating your own great sound

Developing your musical understanding, that ‘aha’ moment!

My students have said...

"Margery Smith's 'relevant to the times' approach to teaching has brought out things in my musical ability that I was told would take years to develop"

"Years after my study with Margery Smith I still benefit from her intuitive understanding of music and instrumental technique"

"Margery Smith is an encouraging, patient and dedicated teacher. Under her guidance, I built up my confidence as a performer and musician"

Sue Taylor A.R.C.M. , L.R.A.M. , L.T.C.L.

Teacher of Oboe & Bassoon

Described in the ADRS "Reeding Matter" by MSO Bassoonist Ian Mansell, as a "Double Reed Teacher Extraordinaire", Sue Taylor took up Oboe whilst a Trumpet student at London's Royal College of Music, studying with Natalie James & Terence McDonagh, and obtained her ARCM within 18 months. A further four years with Neil Black followed, whilst Sue commenced teaching, participated in masterclasses with Heinz Holliger and Maurice Bourgue and performed with the Athenaeum Ensemble in London and throughout England and Wales.

Returning to Australia, Sue first taught in Toowoomba, where she increased the oboe population from 3 to 19 in a year ! The performance highlight was the 1985 Bach Festival (Violin / Oboe Concerto and Brandenburg No. 2 with Spiros Rantos) and the St.Matthew Passion.

Moving to Melbourne in 1986, Sue taught in many leading schools. Following appointment as an examiner for the AMEB and VCE, she worked through the AMEB Bassoon examinations in order to teach and examine more effectively. Sue also worked as a consultant for the AMEB. 1994 saw the publication of her extensive Tutors " Blow the Oboe" and Blow the Bassoon".

Sue now lives in northern NSW, where she indulges her love of the Baroque Oboe, performs regularly with her "Rosewood Ensemble" and ( because she is teaching it ) preparing for Grade 5 Clarinet !

Studio located at Warrell Creek NSW

Phone : (02) 6569 3236

Cathy Wainwright M.Mus. , F.T.C.L. , L.T.C.L. , A.Mus.A

TEACHER of FLUTE

Cathy began learning the piano as a child and has been playing the flute for the last 23 years. She has played in a number of community concert bands and orchestras, and currently plays with the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra. Cathy is also a keen chamber music player and is available for weddings and other functions. Following a period as a full time Flute and Piccolo player in the Royal Australian Air Force Band, Cathy has established a private music teaching practice from her home in Castle Hill, in the north-west suburbs of Sydney, combining this with teaching in local schools. In the past Cathy has also run classes for adult beginner flute students in evening colleges.

Cathy holds the Fellowship Diploma of Trinity College London, and an AMEB Associate Diploma in Flute Performance, as well as a Master of Music Degree specialising in Instrumental Pedagogy from the University of New South Wales. Cathy is accredited as a teacher of Flute, Theory and Musicianship by the Music Teachers' Association of New South Wales. Cathy is currently Secretary of the Australian Flute Society and an active member of the Flute Society of New South Wales. Cathy regularly undertakes further professional development activities.

Cathy enjoys playing and teaching all styles of music and caters for students who want to play the flute as a hobby as well as those who wish to prepare for AMEB, Trinity College, ANZCA and HSC exams. Cathy encourages all students to develop performance skills in concerts and Eisteddfods. Cathy's philosophy is that learning music must be an enjoyable experience resulting in a sense of achievement for students, parents and teacher.

 

"I hope you can teach other students just as good as you taught me!"

(Kate, flute student, 11 years)

 

Phone : (02) 9894 7623

Mobile : 0408 024 771

Micaela Nathan B.Mus. (Syd. Con.), A.S.C.M. , Grad.Dip.Music Therapy , RMT , Cert. Guided Imagery & Music

TEACHER of Clarinet and Saxophone

Micaela Nathan spent the early part of her working life in the classical music industry following six years study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she obtained her Bachelor of Music.

As well as twenty one years teaching music in her private studio, Micaela spent five years as lecturer in clarinet and saxophone at the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education in Lismore NSW, a branch of the Sydney Conservatorium. She also has sixteen years experience tutoring in woodwind instruments, piano and ear training skills at many private colleges in Sydney and Brisbane.

Micaela started her performing career when still a teenager. As a professional performer, she has worked with the Sydney Symphony and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Victorian State Opera and full time with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also been principal clarinet and saxophone in Broadway musicals such as My Fair Lady, HMS Pinafore, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, and has toured overseas as principal clarinet in a number of productions.

During her musical career, Micaela followed a long standing interest in medicine and human behaviour, and studied natural medicine at the Australian college of Natural Medicine in Brisbane, where she obtained her Bachelor of Naturopathy and Diploma of Herbal Medicine. She pursued further studies in clinical hypnotherapy and has recently completed post-graduate study in music therapy.

As well as her busy teaching studio, Micaela also runs a private practice in music psychotherapy. She also currently works at the University of Technology, Sydney, as a researcher in the field of music psychology and the impact of music on human perception and behaviour.


Studio located at Drummoyne in Sydney

Phone : 02 9719 2298

Mobile : 0402 283393

Albin Berky Dip.Mus. (Bratislava Conservatorium)

TEACHER of Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone & Recorder

ALBIN BERKY was born in Slovakia, son of Prof. Albin Berky Snr., the world renowned Cellist. From 1970-77, he studied 7 years at The State Conservatorium of Music Bratislava where he majored in oboe and took
courses in Music History, Theory, piano, conducting. Several of his own compositions have been played on the radio and television Bratislava. Albin has had experience as a popular- dance, jazz- rock, folk, classical saxophonist and woodwind player. In 1975, Albin won the Conservatorium Oboe competition and subsequently toured Europe as a freelance musician where he played in orchestras and chamber groups. He also taught at the Bratislava School of Music, Slovakia.

Albin arrived in Australia in 1980, when he began teaching in Sydney and joined the Australian Chamber Orchestra. From 1981, he lectured at the Riverina College of Advanced Education (now Charles Sturt University)
as part of the Associate Diploma of Arts and established woodwind teaching at the Conservatorium Centres in Wagga, Albury and community based School of Music,Griffith. His former students are professional teachers, orchestral players and soloists in Australia and the international scope. Albin appears in the
American publication, "Who's Who in the World" through his outstanding achievements for services to the community and music and in the Outstanding People of the 20th Century IBC Cambridge United Kingdom publication. Accredited by Sydney University, Conservatorium as a private teacher for Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Recorder.

Studio located at Epping in Sydney

Phone : 02 9869 8352

Julia Fekete - Berky Dip.Mus. (Bratislava Conservatorium)

TEACHER of FLUTE

JULIA FEKETE- BERKY was born in Slovakia, Bratislava. She is a graduate with 6 years at The Bratislava State Conservatorium of Music and 3 years University, where she majored in Flute and took courses in Music Theory, History and Piano. For more than six years she was principal flautist in the National Orchestra and toured Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Austria, Cuba, Africa and as soloist in the USSR and Sweden. Julia has had experience as a backing and solo singer popular and dance music styles as well as orchestral flautist.

In 1975 Julia won First Prize and in 1977 won Second Prize in the Conservatorium Flute Competitions. She was also awarded First Prize in a University Competition for all instruments in 1981 and participated in the International Competition at the Prague Spring Festival the same year.
Since arriving in Australia in 1981, Julia lectured at the Riverina College of Advanced Education (now Charles Sturt University) and joined the Riverina Trio. She has given a number of ABC radio broadcasts and a number of public recitals as a soloist and chamber flautist with the Trio in Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and other cities through NSW, ACT. In 1982, Julia wonFirst Prize in the Newcastle Mattara Festival Concerto Competition performing J. Ibert Concerto for flute and orchestra. In 1985, she returned to Europe. She participated in a Flute Competition in Radio Munich, Germany Federal Republic, performing most of flute repertoire and becoming a finalist. In 1987, she was Principal Flautist in the Sydney Opera Ensemble Orchestra.

Studio located at Epping in Sydney

Phone : 02 9869 8352

Linda Jane Stacy B.Mus. (NSW Con.) , Grad.Dip.Mus. (VCA)

Teacher of Oboe

Jane graduated from the NSW Conservatorium of Music in 1987 with a Bachelor of Music Degree and completed a Graduate Diploma of Arts in Music at the Victorian College of the Arts in 1989 with a HECS scholarship.

Jane is an experienced oboe teacher and her CV includes more than 20 years of teaching at private schools in Sydney, Melbourne and England including St. Catherine’s Girls School, Toorak, and Melbourne Church of England Girls Grammar School, South Yarra.

As a performer Jane has worked with many orchestra’s including the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the State Orchestra of Victoria, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and with a variety of chamber music ensembles.

She is currently completing a Masters in Teaching at Sydney University and teaches oboe at her private studio at Brighton-Le-Sands.

Phone : 9567 5119

Naomi Halls BA , ASCM

TEACHER of FLUTE, PIANO & RECORDER

Naomi Halls is a graduate of The New South Wales Conservatorium (1983), Macquarie University (1987) and Charles Sturt University (2009) and has majors in Flute, Piano, English, History, and Women’s Studies. Recently she has completed a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and will commence postgraduate research linking music and psychology in 2010.

She was appointed as an AMEB Examiner in 1988; Senior/Diploma Examiner in 1995 – current and has examined at the Licentiate Diploma level in 2004 and 2006, 2007,2008 and 2009.

Naomi has performed internationally; and has featured on Irish Television and has participated in The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In recent years she has become involved in the popular sphere, performing as a guest soloist with The Feathered Frog Jazz Trio and in 2006, 2007 and 2008 directed an innovative jazz fusion concept with brother Dave, and son Tarquin as part of the Winter Series at the Joan. Her CD, Moon Over the Ruined Castle was released in 1997 and is in its second print run. She has been Principal Flute with the Sydney Youth Orchestra(1982-1985) and Penrith Symphony Orchestra (1995-2001).

Naomi has presented papers at The National Flute Convention (2005), The Flute Teacher’s Forum of NSW (2005, 2006, 2007), Wollongong Conservatorium(2006) and has adjudicated for Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Hawkesbury, Macarthur, St George, Penrith, Hawkesbury and Sydney Flute Eisteddfods.

Naomi’s recordings of the flute music of Amanda Handel are held in The Australian Music Centre and in 2006 Amanda composed a new work for Naomi ;The Vapours Of Delphi. Naomi premiered this work at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on July 2nd 2006 .

Naomi teaches performance majors studying at the University of NSW and the University of Western Sydney and University of New England . Naomi has also taught in private practice for over twenty five years (Naomi Halls Studio Faulconbridge; Penrith Conservatorium; and Blue Mountains Grammar School). Her students have been presented with Exhibitions and Top of the State awards from Trinity College, London.. Naomi’s Studio has held the Penrith Conservatorium’s Allan Mullins Scholarship (Junior and Senior categories) since 2000 and Penrith Eisteddfod Most Outstanding Performer Award (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009).

Phone : 02 4751 6373

Disclaimer : These personal profiles appear as supplied by the individual teachers and have not been edited or varied in any way by the Sydney Directory of Accredited Music & Speech Teachers. Any views expressed therefore are those of the individuals themselves and the Sydney Directory of Accredited Music & Speech Teachers disclaims any responsibility for their content.