Now trading as Champion Music School!

With a B.Mus./ B.A (Hons I & University Medal) and a PhD in a music discipline, classical Russian technique piano training, more than 18 years’ teaching experience, and a professional home studio…I can offer everything we need to make your music sing! Whether you are a newcomer to piano or more advanced, I’m keen to help you become the musician you’ve always wanted to be. If you wish to pursue AMEB, ABRSM or Trinity College exams, I’ll help you to ace them. If you just want to have fun with music, we can play music games and learn fun pieces you can show off to your friends and play with them!

Call me on 0432 021 973 or email at hollyechampion(at)gmail.com to discuss your or your child’s musical needs and dreams!

Feel free to check out some previous student concerts on my YouTube channel that were videoed and streamed during 2021’s Covid era.

EXPERIENCE AND TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

I teach piano or keyboard to Advanced level (Classical, Pop) and Intermediate level (Jazz). My students have consistently had excellent results in AMEB examinations. Take a look at my testimonials page, and my blog posts about how to practise effectively and strategies for sight-reading.

I have experience teaching ages 3 to 65, but I am always happy to extend at both ends! Everyone has a different learning style and a different outlook, so as a teacher I love constantly learning from my students too– how to teach better, how to see the world in a different way, and how to see music and music learning from many different kinds of perspectives!

I enjoy creating a friendly, fun and warm environment in my lessons; an environment that supports the making of mistakes. I strongly believe that we should all strive to take risks, and make mistakes early and often — because it is through mistakes that we grow. This is how we create and maintain a growth mindset, which many studies have shown is crucial for success not only in music, but in life in general.

PROFESSIONAL STUDIO SET-UP

I teach at my home studio, located in Bundanoon in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW.

My studio is a pleasant room, featuring a beautiful and expressive new Kawai GX-2 grand piano. (Previous Leichhardt studio pictured with the same piano and other resources.)

I also have a portable Yamaha P-125 digital piano in the room, which is suitable for very young children and as a second piano for accompaniment.

OTHER MUSIC AND TEACHING SERVICES

I can teach all styles on voice and recorder to Grade 2 level. Do you want to start learning how to take your singing out of the shower and onto the stage, show off at karaoke, or ace that school musical audition? Or would you like to find out how the recorder is easy to learn, but can be a beautiful, fun, inexpensive instrument that is not just a kid’s toy?

I can also offer integrated music lessons, which can be ideal for very young students: learning a combination of piano/keyboard, voice and recorder with basic percussion instruments and body percussion is a great way for children aged 2-8 to experience the full range of the joy of music-making.

If you have more than one child who is interested in music, I can offer group lessons, which can be a great option for children aged 2-7. There is an additional $20 surcharge per lesson for group lessons.

I also provide professional arts/humanities essay coaching services at the same rates as my regular lessons.

MUSIC’S POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE BRAIN

Many recent studies have shown that even just listening to music is valuable for the brain, but that learning a musical instrument– music making–significantly improves a child’s brain development, especially in relation to the development of the ‘executive functions’. As this recent article states, “Music may expose the child to challenges and multi-sensory experiences which enhance learning abilities and encourage cognitive development. In particular, music can also engage cognitive functions, such as planning, working memory, inhibition, and flexibility. These functions are known as executive functions (…) Music engages and affects multiple cortical and sub-cortical brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex.”

Music affects all of us in different ways, but it is almost universally powerful. I like this article by the late, eminent neurologist/historian Oliver Sacks on the topic: The Power of Music. Here is another interesting one from the ABC, too: Music For the Mind

MUSIC TUITION, ACCOMPANIMENT AND ESSAY COACHING FEES

At my Bundanoon studio or online

Post-paid lessons or rehearsals at my Bundanoon studio or online are $45/30 mins, $65/45 mins or $85 per hour.

If you purchase a pre-paid 10 x lesson package, the rate drops to $40/30 mins, $60/45 mins or $80/hr.

There is a group lesson $20 surcharge per lesson for lessons involving more than 1 student.

At your home (may be available on request)

Post-paid lessons or rehearsals at your house are $55/30 mins, $75/45 mins or $95 per hour.

A long-distance $10 surcharge per lesson applies for travel further than 10 km by the shortest drive-able route from my home.

If you purchase a pre-paid 10 x lesson package, the rate drops to $50/30 mins, $70/45 mins or $90/hr (plus any additional distance surcharge).

There is a group lesson $20 surcharge per lesson for lessons involving more than 1 student.

POLICIES

I am committed to maintaining a safe and positive environment in my lessons, and have a current Working With Children Check number (available on request). I am registered with the Music Teachers Directory and Music Teachers Online.

I have a strict cancellation policy. If you cancel your lesson or rehearsal less than 24 hours before the scheduled time, for whatever reason, I charge the full session amount. If you have paid for 10 lessons in advance, the lesson will be deducted from your set of 10.  If you are paying lesson-by-lesson, the missed lesson fee is payable before the following lesson.

If I am taking time off teaching for holidays or professional development, my commitment is to give students at least 1 week’s notice. If I miss a lesson due to my illness or misadventure, I will make up the lesson at an alternative, mutually convenient time.

I sometimes lend items (scores, theory books, other books about music, CDs, DVDs, and sometimes instruments) to my regular students. Please be mindful that until/unless you have paid for the item, it is on loan only and must be returned to me in good condition after a maximum of 3 months. Most loaned books can be purchased from me at a very reasonable price. The replacement cost of loaned items that are severely damaged or destroyed during the loan period will be charged to your account.

I organise student concerts, usually once per school term and often taking place at an aged care home or hospital. This gives students a wonderful opportunity to play for an appreciative and supportive audience, and to brighten the lives of our community elders and those who are unwell. If you want a special concert organised, please let me know with a minimum of 3 weeks’ notice.

MUSIC’S POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE BRAIN

Many recent studies have shown that even just listening to music is valuable for the brain, but that learning a musical instrument– music making–significantly improves a child’s brain development, especially in relation to the development of the ‘executive functions’. As this recent article states, “Music may expose the child to challenges and multi-sensory experiences which enhance learning abilities and encourage cognitive development. In particular, music can also engage cognitive functions, such as planning, working memory, inhibition, and flexibility. These functions are known as executive functions (…) Music engages and affects multiple cortical and sub-cortical brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex.”

Music affects all of us in different ways, but it is almost universally powerful. I like this article by the late, eminent neurologist/historian Oliver Sacks on the topic: The Power of Music. Here is another interesting one from the ABC, too: Music For the Mind