Alyssa Preval
Piano

Alyssa was inspired to learn music at a young age because it was something she connected to more than anything else in the world.

Since then, Alyssa has honed her skills on the piano and obtained her first performance diploma at the age of 15. Subsequently she took up playing the cello and was a member of the Sutherland Symphony Orchestra for several years.

Alyssa has since achieved her AmusA, LmusA, ATCL and LTCL, endured wrist surgery and completed her honours thesis. Alyssa’s aim is to complete the last semester of her Bachelor’s degree.

It is also her goal to educate and encourage as many students as possible to pursue their dreams in music because it allows for the freedom of expression and of the soul.

Curtis Newbitt-Hill
Drums

Frankie de Guingand
Guitar/Bass/Rock School

Frankie has played the guitar for almost 20 years and studied music through primary and high school.

He has delved into classical and instrumental acoustic guitar, and now mainly plays electric guitar.

Frankie plays in a band called Uncle Axel, and enjoys alternative, psychedelic and experimental rock. Some inspirations are Joey Santiago of the Pixies and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead.

James Squier
Guitar / Bass / Rock School

James is a highly skilled and highly experienced guitarist and bass player who is always seeking to expand his musical knowledge and abilities. Having played almost all styles of music for many years, and being featured in many different bands in that time, he’s developed a knack for learning new songs, styles and techniques quickly and being able to explain how best to approach music to students and other musicians.

James first picked up a guitar during high school, and quickly started teaching himself classic hard rock and metal songs from bands in the vein of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Rainbow and Queen. His style took a slight change when he was asked to join his first bands, playing faster and more aggressive thrash metal.

After high school he studied music performance at TAFE achieving certificates II and III and a Diploma. Here he developed an extensive understanding of music theory, began learning about music education, as well as gaining experience in almost of styles of music, from Jazz, pop, classical, country to rock. It was during this time that he also refined his live performance skills, having shared the stage many different musicians.

Busking became a test to put all the different elements of what James had learnt together. Looking at it as ‘practicing guitar in public’, he very quickly learnt how to use the music theory  he’d spent so long studying practically, and how to draw influences from all the different styles of music he’d played.

James’ experience with the bass guitar began by being asked to play for a band which would later become GYPSY. Having never played the instrument or any of the songs before, he not only set about learning them quickly, but was playing on stage with the band less than a week later! Now with years of experience on the instrument, and countless shows performed with GYPSY up and down the country, James is just as comfortable on bass as he is guitar.

After joining Learn 2 Play Music during 2015, James has learnt how to offer great learning experiences to his students, how to draw on his knowledge, and how to make lessons both fun and productive.

Jenny Lewis-Roche
Piano / Kindy Beat

Jenny has been playing piano since the age of 7 and was selected from a young age to study under Elizabeth Green, an examiner for the AMEB. She has completed her AMusA with the AMEB and received a Distinction from the Trinity College of London. She has also performed in city recitals and has studied songwriting at the Conservatory of Music.

Jenny also enjoys playing Latin and folk music on the accordeon and has performed with the Australian Accordeon Orchestra.

As an Early Childhood Educator, Jenny enjoys making learning fun for her young students, while at the same time ensuring that they are achieving their goals. She also enjoys teaching adults.

Jenny’s musical influences range from Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy to Latin American music, Elton John and Billy Joel, but she loves nothing more than relaxing to Bob Marley or rocking to ACDC.

Jonathan Lam
Piano / Violin

Jonathan teaches piano and violin at Learn 2 Play Music.

Currently, he is studying Music Education at UNSW specialising in composition.

Jonathan’s music education has varied widely from classical piano to orchestral conducting. Having completed my AMEB Grade 8 Piano certificate in 2013, he moved on to orchestral conducting at high school.

Under the guidance of the music director at the school, Jonathan embarked on a journey to discover the world of orchestras and composition during Year 11 and 12. While studying conducting, he became concertmaster of the school orchestra.

One day, Jonathan hopes to be able to lead orchestras around Australia and educate the population about the importance of music education.

Leigh Elphick
Guitar / Bass / Rock School

Leigh has been playing guitar for more than 15 years, he attended Newington College where he studied guitar for 5 years. 

Now with over 10 years teaching experience at various schools; Learn2Play Music, Village Guitar, St Aloysius Primary & The Montessori School.

Leigh has played in several bands over the years with varying styles from punk rock to folk/country touring up and down the east coast of the country multiple times. He currently plays in The Daphne Rawling Band.

 Leigh is influenced by artists such as The Beatles, Wilco, Ryan Adams & The Rolling Stones.

 Leigh enjoys teaching students of all ages and likes to keep lessons professional but fun.

 His favourite styles to teach include- rock,pop, folk, punk, indie & country.

Lucinda Malone
Piano / Vocals / Kindy Beat

Lucinda, or ‘Lucy’, graduated from the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) in 2015, where she received her Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre.

Lucy has been playing the piano since the age of six, Violin from the age of eight, and has been singing since she first learnt how to speak.

She has studied various styles of singing, including Opera, Pop, Jazz, and Music Theatre.

In 2016 she toured as a member of the Ten Sopranos during their South Australia tour.

Lucy has also appeared in several different Musicals, the most recent being Heathers: The Musical where she played the role of Martha Dunnstock.

Lucy has been a Piano, Violin, and Vocal coach since graduating AIM, and has also helped run various ensemble groups featuring Ukuleles, Guitars, and Choral work

Marcus Grounds
Guitar / Bass

Marcus started playing guitar at the age of 10, since then he has participated in several different bands which formed due to school based opportunities and social influence.

Marcus preferred guitar style falls under percussive melodic finger-styles and classical musics. He was inspired by a Korean musician called Sungah Jung and his style is the foundation to Marcus’ way with the guitar. Further inspirations include Peter Gergely and Andrew Foy. His preferred guitar artists and bands were formed during the 60’s and 70’s

Marcus is fluent in his understanding of the pentatonic, major, and minor scales and understands the incorporation of scales and chords within keys and their respective positions in music

Marcus has the ability to play a vast variety of music from Heavy metal to classical pieces. Marcus see improvisation as a very important when it comes to understanding music. Marcus encourages his students to be more creative and have more freedom when playing their desired instrument

Monica Moawad
Piano / Singing / Violin

Monica is a professional musician and teacher, with 20 years experience. Throughout her life she has been involved with various choirs and orchestras, Strathfield Symphony Orchestra, Wesley Institute Choir and Sydney Philharmonia, to name a few.

In 2010, she travelled to Asia to tour with the Wesley Institute Choir, performing in various master classes, universities, and concert halls across Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan.

In 2011, another tour, this time to Europe took place over 3 weeks, again performing in various music halls, universities, and churches. The main event was the Summa Cum Laude Festival, held at the Musikverein, one of the world’s top concert halls, in Vienna, Austria, and winning in the Choir category.

She graduated from AIM with a BMus in Classical Performance, and has over 4 years experience teaching various styles including: Classical, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues, and Music Theatre, across Piano, Violin and Vocals

Nikki Erdos
Piano / Vocals

Nikki has been passionate about music since she was young.

Growing up in a musical family, she started singing and piano lessons at a young age Nikki started pursuing her love for musical theatre by performing in many shows.

Nikki’s interest lies in many musical genres, including pop, folk, indie, classic rock, but her passion with always be music theatre.

In 2017, Nikki graduated with her Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) from The Australian Institute of Music.

Patrick Rogers
Drums

Patrick has been playing drums and percussion for more than 10 years and is currently studying jazz drumming and theory at the University of New South Wales.

He is a member of a variety of bands across Sydney ranging from rock bands and funk groups all the way to the UNSW Jazz Orchestra and Balinese Gamelan ensemble.

Patrick has a wealth of performance experience including performances at the ARIA Awards and X Factor grand final with Guy Sebastian, the Oxford Art Factory, ‘Jazz at the Pav’ at the Bondi Pavillion and various performances across Indonesia whilst travelling on a UNSW Music Scholarship

Rachael Halpin
Piano

Rachael has been interested in music from a young age.

Rachael has successfully completed various music examinations and has been working at Learn to Play Music for a number of years.

She has taught children from as young as four years old, through to adulthood. Rachael is currently completing her Primary Education degree.

Rose Valeri
Piano

Rose has completed 7th grade piano and is currently studying Music Education and Music Production

Rose is inspired by all music in different ways but classical music stands out to her. One of her favourite composers is Tchaikovsky.

She has always wanted to teach piano from a very early age and believes music is something very strong that everyone should learn something about it during their lives

Stuart McPherson
Drums/Guitar/Bass

Stuart is completing a Bachelor of Music Degree in Contemporary Performance, Majoring in Songwriting with Drums as his Major Instrument at the Australian Institute of Music.

Stuart began playing drums at the age of 9, and joined his primary school band. Throughout high school, in addition to drums, Stuart began to expand his musical knowledge by joining the School Vocal Ensemble and taking guitar lessons.

In year 9, Stuart was the drummer for his high schools production of the Musical ‘Zeussical’ and then in year 11, played Drums again for ‘High School Musical’.

Stuart then went on to complete both Music 2 and Extension Music (composition) for his HSC.

The following year, Stuart returned his old school as an Alumni member in the band for the schools production of the musical ‘Back to the 80’s’ on Electric Guitar.

Before beginning his degree at The Australian Institute of Music (AIM), Stuart formed an originals band called ‘Just Breathe’, playing a major role in the songwriting process.

After making new connections at AIM, Stuart then found himself playing in 3 originals bands (Just Breathe, Megan and the Vegans, Crooked Frames) and a cover band, playing regular shows around Sydney. This helped Stuart expand his musical vocabulary, spanning from hard rock, to funk, to jazz, to world music, and everything in between.

After completing his graduating recital at AIM, having received a Distinction, Stuart is now completing his remaining class, leaving plenty of time to focus on his passion for teaching and playing