I am a dedicated provider of one-on-one oboe lessons from beginner to tertiary level, meeting student and parent expectations at the highest level. I have an extensive and diverse background as an orchestral oboist, working on a freelance and contractual basis over a period of eighteen years with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Sydney, Adelaide, Queensland, Tasmanian and Canberra Symphony Orchestras, the Queensland Philharmonic and the State Orchestra of Victoria. These engagements included Principal Oboe as well as Section Oboe and Cor Anglais positions. I hold a Master of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium, in which I achieved the highest possible grade point average.
I take a ‘whole-student’ approach to my teaching that encompasses both musical and intellectual development. A strong emphasis is placed on posture and breathing, informed by my Masters research into the interaction of muscles involved in oboe playing. Lessons are provided at all skill levels in a relaxed home environment and are tailored to suit the student. Tutoring can complement school band music programmes, as well as providing a solid grounding in classical oboe playing. Focus can also be on graded progress through the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), or simply learning for enjoyment. Specialist reed-making lessons and tuition in reed-adjustment are also available.
I have completed the certificate in Child Protection Awareness Training of the NSW Department of Education and Communities. I hold a Working With Children Check Number and a National Police Check Certificate.
Guidelines for lesson length:
30 minutes: suitable for a beginner to ~ AMEB 3rd grade.
45 minutes: suitable for ~ AMEB 4th and 5th grades
60 minutes: suitable for ~ AMEB 6th grade and above
Music Theory, Music Craft and Musicianship (up to Grade 3) are available as an add-on to oboe lessons – please add 15 minutes to regular lesson time.
Pricing: $44/30 mins, $60/45 mins, $77/60 mins, invoiced per term (usually ten weeks).