Expert Guitar Lessons & HSC Music
Performance 1, 2 and Extension - Gosford Area
Advanced-beginner to pro levels
Theory, ear-training, and sight reading
Improvisation, instrumental composition, and song writing
1, 2 & Ext. Performance Coaching
Exam preparation
Expert guidance on repertoire, technique, and university entry strategy
My guitar lessons are tailored to your unique learning style and goals. While there are no shortcuts to mastery, my PhD in Music and years of experience teaching hundreds of students have allowed me to develop highly effective, time-saving methods. Whether you want to perform professionally or play for personal enjoyment, my methodology fosters technical proficiency and creative expression at every level.
Student Success & Awards
My students consistently achieve excellence, ranging from local scholarship winners to international touring professionals:
* Scholarship Winners: Recipients of the Pearl Beach Scholarship, Central Coast Conservatorium Instrumental Scholarships, and the Boudi Society Awards.
* Award-Winning Performances: Prize winners at Youth in Performing Arts (YIPA) and the Music Centre Gosford Guitar Scholarship.
* National Recognition: Winner of the prestigious National Jazz Award.
* Industry Professionals: Former students have gone on to perform with major artists including Guy Sebastian Ronan Keating, Mike Nock, and Vince Jones.
My guitar lessons provide comprehensive music theory tuition tailored to the Year 7–12 curriculum or the specific goals of each student. I integrate essential ear training and rhythm skills to help students build a deeper connection with their instrument. By incorporating singing and rhythm clapping into the learning process, students develop better pitch and feel the 'groove' of the music. Even students who believe they cannot sing, quickly learn to perform in tune while playing rhythm on the guitar.
Improvising should be fun rather than a fear of making a mistake. This is the basis from which I foster the study of improvisation. The student is presented with foundation material such as a blues or minor scale, a few melodic patterns, and either a single chord, a 12-Bar Blues, or a simple folk song as a starting point. I encourage listening to improvising guitarists such as B.B. King, John Mayer, and George Benson for example, this helps develop an ear for improvisation. This practical foundation naturally bridges into composition and songwriting, which includes both analysis of famous songs, and foundation studies in composition.
Preparing a guitar recital for your HSC Music 1, 2, or Extension exams can be a daunting challenge. I specialise in mentoring students through to the finish line, including a three-way collaboration with your school music teacher to ensure complete alignment with your goals.
Depending on your chosen HSC stream, I provide expert advice on repertoire selection and mastering the technical demands of your pieces. If you are preparing a Viva Voce musicology presentation, my extensive research background (PhD) allows me to guide you toward a sophisticated, high-level analysis.
As an awarded composer and university composition lecturer, I can also provide elite-level guidance for those incorporating original compositions into their HSC portfolio. Together, we will focus on the best strategies to maximise your marks and achieve a Band 6 result.
Whether you are an aspiring classical guitarist or a contemporary player exploring blues, rock, latin, jazz, and other modern styles, I provide expert support for exam preparation. Beyond piece selection and technique, I guide students through musicianship and harmonic analysis, focusing on the high-level artistry required for top marks—including tone, touch, phrasing, and dynamics.
I offer expert guidance on repertoire, technique, and university entry strategy for students aiming for tertiary music studies. Having lectured at Sydney University, UNSW, Macquarie, the Sydney Conservatorium, and Newcastle over the past 20 years, I have a deep understanding of what audition panels look for. I have successfully mentored numerous students who have gained acceptance into these highly selective degree courses.