Teacher Profiles

Staff Profiles

 

Steven Lavis - Principal DMC Studios - Clarinet / Alto Saxophone / Oboe

Steve received his Bachelor of Music (Honours, first class) in 2002 from the University of Newcastle, Faculty of Music, studying oboe with Linda Walsh. During his studies he performed extensively in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

Professionally, Steven has performed with ensembles such as the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Wollongong Symphony Orchestra and was a founding member of Hunter Sinfonia. Steven also regularly performs chamber music and solo recitals, having performed with such artists as Loreli Dowling, Paul Goodchild, Rosalind Halton, Elizabeth Holowell, Deborah Lander, Anthea Scott-Mitchell, Anne O'Hearn, Margery Smith and Linda Walsh.

Steven has also established himself as a sought after teacher and ensemble director, having lectured at the University of Newcastle, taught at the Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music (where he was the head of Wind and Brass and Band Program Co-ordinator) and at various schools in the Hunter Valley. He has tutored at and co-ordinated various workshops, camps and masterclasses including the Country Schools Band Camp (D.E.T. Tamworth), Scone Shire Youth Music Camp and the Newcastle Conservatorium’s Bandlink Program.

Steven has also studied and attended workshops with educators such as Bruce Pearson, Jerry Nowak, James Kortum and Diana Doherty and has been awarded a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary Music) at the University of New England.

 

Brass & Woodwind

Lucia Bichara - Clarinet & Saxophone

Lucia has been playing the saxophone and clarinet from the age of 11.  As a specialist sax teacher, Lucia has extensive teaching experience and enjoys teaching anyone from beginners to mature adults.
She has established herself as a saught after tutor in the Hills District, this is due to her total commitment and love of teaching. Lucia constantly strives to get the most from her students by implementing effective strategies so they reach their full potential. Lucia has completed an Associate Diploma of Contemporary Music from The Australian Institute of Music in 1998. She is also a registered tutor of AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board). Lucia has tutored and coordinated various workshops, camps and master classes for several schools and music institutions. These include both Private and Public schools in the Hills District.
Lucia is a proud mother of two young children. She truly enjoys the challenges and constant surprises that her young students bring to lessons each week.

Daniel Masman - Clarinet & Saxophone

Daniel Masman is a woodwind and brass teacher who completed his Bachelor of Arts Music Degree in 2000 at the University of Western Sydney in 2000. He has been teaching music for the past 12 years and is the Musical Director of the Western Region State Schools Big Band.

Magdalena Czarnocka - Flute / Piano

Magdalena is a professional teacher of Flute, Piano and Early Childhood Music.
In 2003 she graduated from the High School of Music, Warsaw, Poland with two degrees; a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Music Education. Whilst teaching primary and secondary levels of flute and piano performance at the Cracow Music Centre in Poland and accompanying the Cantores Minores Choir, she completed a Masters Degree of Music in flute at Cracow Music Conservatory in Poland.
Magdalena has taught the flute and piano extensively in Poland, England and Australia to students as young as 4 years old and from beginners to advanced diploma level. From 2006 she was a member of Young Symphony Orchestra and performed in Poland, Italy, Germany, France, Greece, United Kingdom and USA.

 

Jay Roberts - Flute

In 2005 Jay completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Australian National University. Over the course of her degree Jay had the privilege of studying with acclaimed performers including Margaret Crawford, Virginia Taylor, Vernon Hill, and James Kortum. Jay has performed with numerous orchestras and ensembles throughout Australia. In addition, Jay has established several specialist flute studios throughout Sydney and Canberra.  Her experience in music education has fostered her belief that effective learning is achieved through encouragement, discipline, and overall a formation for a love of music.

 

Frank Werge - Clarinet / Saxophone / Flute

Frank has studied and taught music in Germany for many years and has now brought his expertise here to Australia, where he is busy teaching flute, saxophone, clarinet and conducting many school bands across the Sydney district. Frank spent twelve years as a flautist in the German National Army Band and taught in many of the big music clubs throughout Germany. He has the gift of being able to teach with great ease and clarity, making lessons fun and enjoyable for all of his students.

  Scott Kelly - Saxophone

Scott Kelly is an emerging young saxophonist on the Sydney music scene. Having studied the saxophone from age nine, Scott has spent time learning from some of Australia’s best musicians including Judy Bailey, Dave Theak, Dale Barlow, Col Loughnan and Craig Scott. During the past ten years Scott has toured regionally and interstate with names such as James Morrison and Emma Pask and was also a featured artist on the On Fire Big Band's latest album Old School. Scott is now preparing to undergo a short study period in New York at the Manhattan School of music, where he will be studying with international saxophone giants George Garzone and Dave Leibman.

Emma Hosogoe - Saxophone / Flute / Clarinet

Alara Nuhoglu - Saxophone

 

Damian Butler - Lower Brass

Damian studied under Ron Prussing, Scott Kinmont and Baden McCarron (all Sydney Symphony Orchestra players). Damian was also the National Tenor Trombone Champion in 1992, and National Bass Trombone Champion in 1995. As well as playing lead trombone & other lower brass in musicals such as the Lion King, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific & Singin' in the Rain, he also played in the Australian Opera Ballet Orchestra from 1994 to 2006.

 

Geoff Wilson - French Horn / Trumpet / Lower Brass

Geoff studied trombone with Reg Bishop and Victor Grieve at Newcastle Conservatorium and with Maurice Newton (RAN and Elizabethan Trust Orchestra). Studied conducting with Frank Rugers, David Barg and Jerry Nowak.
 
Geoff's playing experience covers many musical styles and includes Brass and Concert Bands, Symphony Orchestras, Brass Ensembles, Woodwind Ensembles, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Commercial Television and Solo Performance.
 
Geoff has extensive teaching experience including 5 years on Country Area Program for the Education Department, 10 years as Artistic Director and Brass and Woodwind Tutor at Young Regional Conservatorium and 2 years on Central Coast Band Program. Currently he teaches school band programs in 7 schools on the Central Coast and Sydney, a studio of private students in Sydney and a guitar studio on the Central Coast.

John Ciccarelli -  Brass & Woodwind

John first learnt Trombone as part of the Army Band, Sydney where he attended the Conservatorium of Music for formal lessons. He completed 8th Grade AMEB during his studies at the Con. He has since played in many Big Bands, Small Ensembles and Rock & Roll Bands, performing throughout Australia and abroad. John is a registered AMEB tutor and is proficient on many instruments, including Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Guitar & Bass Guitar. He currently works full time running school band programs as well as his private teaching here at Dural Music.

Nick Ciccerelli - Brass

Nick, as well as being an accompliched trumpet player,  is also profficient on the drums and clarinet, having recently completed his AMEB grade 4 clarinet exam.

In 2004 and 2009  he represented Australia at the Montreux jazz festival in Switzerland 

and the Jazz a vienne festival in France, under the directoin of Rory Thomas.

Nick is currently preparing for his AMEB 8th grade trumpet exam, after which he will look to further his studies in music .

In 2004 and 2009  he represented Australia at the Montreux jazz festival in Switzerland 

and the Jazz a vienne festival in France, under the directoin of Rory Thomas.

Nick is currently preparing for his AMEB 8th grade trumpet exam, after which he will look to further his studies in music .

Michael Ciccarelli - Brass

Michael was a featured player with both the Zooo Superbande and Zooom small Jazz ensemble at the 2004 Montreux Jazz festival(Switzerland) as well as the 2004 and 2009 Jazz a Vienne festivals (France) with the Alliance multi-national jazz ensemble. He has also recently completed his trombone proficiency exam and the Jerry Nowak conducting course.
Michael has been running and assisting in the band programs for the past 2 years at 6 primary schools, and currently assists the band programs at St Agatha's and runs a small Jazz ensemble based out of Rouse Hill.

   Piano / Keyboards

Georgia Carpani - Piano

A classically trained pianist since the age of seven, Georgia has a Master of Music specialising in composition, her thesis explored the use of music in documentary film. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English from Chatham College in Pittsburgh USA, where several of her original instrumental ensembles were performed by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Georgia tutors high school music composition students, helping them prepare their final HSC works. She has written the music for TV community service announcements as well as several student film projects, which have screened at a number of film festivals around the world, winning several awards. Georgia's original solo piano work 5 Pieces has played on ABC Classic FM as well as community radio stations around the country.

Dianne Johnston - Piano

Dianne began teaching AMEB music when she left school in 1969 and as well as private home students, she taught students at various catholic institutions.

After a change in career and then having her first child she began teaching privately once again in 1989.   In May 1995, she commenced as Music Specialist at the Assumption Primary School where she spent 7 years teaching private students and music curriculum as well as Director of school choirs. In 2002, Dianne took up the part time position as Music Teacher at St.Patrick's Catholic School in Fremantle as well as at Mandurah Catholic College in Mandurah, Western Australia. During these years, her own private studio at home expanded rapidly where she taught AMEB Piano and Piano for Leisure as well as AMEB Theory and Musicianship. 

In 2007 after a move to Sydney from Western Australia, Dianne commenced teaching piano at Dural Music Centre and also teaching privately from her home.

Dianne considers herself to be a totally committed teacher and demands a high standard from all her students and constantly strives to see every student she teaches to reach their full potential and develop a love for music.

Ben McAlpin - Piano

Ben has been playing piano since the age of 6, and completed a performance diploma with the associated board of the royal schools of music in 2005. He has also completed grade 6 musicianship and achieved a band 6 in HSC music. Ben also plays the guitar and saxophone and has been involved in jazz, rock and funk bands. Ben has been teaching Piano since 2004 to a range of students from early ages to adults.

Monika Pringadi - Piano

Monika is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was awarded a Bachelor of Music with first class honours. She attained the Licentiate diploma with distinction at the age of 15 and the Associate diploma in the previous year. Monika has held teaching positions at the Yamaha Music Education Centre and the Australian Institute of Music. As a pianist, Monika has performed in masterclasses with international artists such as Paul Lewis and Dmitri Alexeev. In 2002, she performed Rachmaninov’s third piano concerto with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Alexandra Evangelidis - Piano

  

Strings

Charles Belling - Violin

Charles started learning violin and drums at the age of 9. This combination has led him to experience playing and teaching many forms of music from jazz, concert bands through to classical orchestral. His first teaching experience came at band camps in The Hills district from 2002 followed by teaching violin and drums privately through his high school years.  His formal music studies include 8th Grade violin with the AMEB.
 
Charles was a long serving member with the Northern Sydney Youth Orchestra from 1998 - 2010, of which he was concert master for five years. He currently leads the second violins in the Sydney University Symphony Orchestra, where he is currently studying a bachelor of medicine.
 
In 2007 Charles began teaching violin at Dural Music Centre and has thoroughly enjoyed his time here. He is registered as a teacher with the AMEB and currently has two students sitting exams at the end of the year. He has one student doing music for their HSC this year.  Charles is also currently teaching a string group  (which he founded in 2008) at Pennant Hills High School.
 
Charles really enjoys the challenge of teaching violin, especially to beginners,  with a focus on students learning to drive their own practice and development.

A aron Reefman - Violin

Aaron Reefman's love for music began at the age of five, when he first picked up a violin. Since then, he has also learnt the piano and guitar, and led quartets, orchestras and bands. He began teaching at 15. From the age of 16, he has been involved in leadership with music in the Catholic Church throughout Australia. Aaron received his AmusA in 2000 and LmusA in 2002, both of which are the highest musical grades attainable for violin. He is currently working towards a Bachelor of music. Overall, his passion is to help young musicians realise and live up to their potential.

Guitar & Bass

 

Julian Child - Guitar & Bass

Julian completed a Certificate in Music (Honours) at the Australian Institute of Music, as well as a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Contemporary Music at Southern Cross Uni. After this, Julian travelled the world working with various Lounge & Bar bands in both Hotels and on Cruise Ships. He currently plays with several Sydney bands, including the Elvis Young show, The New Generation, One Hit Wonders, The Anthill Mob, Kikstar and Playtime.

Cameron Henderson - Guitar & Bass

Cameron is currently in third year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying a Bachelor of Music in classical guitar performance for which he is on a merit scholarship. Known for his versatility accross genres Cameron has had extensive performance experience in musical theatre shows, rock bands, jazz bands, big bands and classical ensembles. He gigs regularly accross sydney in chamber music ensembles including guitar/cello and guitar duo. He is a regular pit musician in musical theatre shows accross sydney, recent shows including Grease, Back to the 80s at Zenith Theatre in Chatswood. He also gigs regularly with his original roots rock band Crooked Sunrise who are currently recording their debut E.P. and negotiating a contract with a record label. Cameron is also experienced in session work appearing on various recordings for other artists and films. Cameron teaches all guitar styles including popular, rock, jazz, classical, flamenco, fingerstyle, slide and bass. In 2008 he worked with Owen Nelson to develop an introduction to guitar program for year 5 students at The Hills Grammar School, which has had great results. He also conducts ensembles and does private tuition at The Hills Grammar School.

Owen Van der Klauw - Guitar

Owen has been playing guitar for 23 years and teaching privately for most of that time.  He studied Computer Science at Macquarie University after leaving school and completed the available Music subjects (before Macquarie offered a full-time Music degree).  In 1999 he studied at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, California completing the Encore certificate course.
 
Owen has taught hundreds of students at Primary and High Schools in Sydney over the last 15 years.  He has played in a number of Musical productions and has a band Grimalkin.  Owen plays and teaches in various styles from Hard Rock to Flamenco.  He thinks that Jack Black rocks.

 

Sam Newton - Guitar & Bass

A prominent Singer/Songwriter on the Sydney live Acoustic scene, Electric guitarist for Folk-Rock band Mother's Own, and classical guitarist studying Music and Education at UNSW; Sam Newton is a diverse, passionate teacher, composer and performer.
Having already taught hundreds of students privately for more than 5 years, Sam's experience is one of exponential growth which feeds off the satisfaction gained through a sharing of Music and Guitar alike.
He has worked with numerous acts such as Leroy Lee, James Edgar Francis, Chris Gillespie and more recently, Josh Shuberth (drummer for Josh Pyke) whom he is using for the recording of his Debut CD with the help of reknowned producer Melvin Tree.
Sam is open to all styles and genres, with specialization in composition/songwriting and acoustic/vocal performance.

Nick Alias - Guitar & Bass

Nicholas Alias is a musician and teacher of guitar and songwriting. His main musical genre is acoustic fingerstyle guitar. He has recorded two albums- Sound from the Pavement recorded in 1998, and Glorious Woman in 2004. Some of his influences are Pink Floyd, Queen, Paul Simon, Alex De Grassi and Phillip Glass. He currently works as a music therapist for people with disabilities, teaches guitar from his home studio and at the Dural Music Centre and Lorien Novalis Steiner School, and runs School Of Rock songwriting and recording workshops. Nick h as performed at; Woodford Folk festival, National Folk Festival, St Albans Folk festival, Newtown  festival, Marrickville festival, Bondi Festival Of The Winds, Peats Ridge Festival & Ironfest. Music from Sound From The Pavement has been played in Radio National and 2SER, used in the documentary film Consulting The Elders and the play The Request Of Spring by award winning writer/director Duong Le Quy, and and has been played at such diverse venues as the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the Qantas in-flight music service. Nicholas has been a finalist in three national songwriting competitions.

Julia Clarke - Guitar

Julia has been teaching at Dural Music Centre for just over a year and for 8 years at Blake’s Music Centre and privately. She has been performing professionally for 10 years with agent backing, performing in clubs, pubs, contests etc. This was mostly her solo work along with some also duo work.
Beginners will learn the basics of guitar. Starting with easy chords and simple songs then advancing to tablature some lead and/or classical followed by barre-chords. This will depend on the student's needs.
Julia teaches a range of styles including classics, rock, pop, blues, country, some jazz and your latest top 20. She enjoys encouraging students to eventually sing when they play guitar with confidence.
Julia started playing guitar at 12yrs old and received extensive training by professional tutors for 8yrs. She has also had vocal training by a prominent stage show teacher for many years. Julia started performing  at 18 in a band called Cut Rock. She then joined a duo The Uncut Gems. She then lived and performed solo in the Whitsundays for 3yrs before returning to the Hawkesbury and continuing her career and producing 3 cds. Julia writes her own music as well as performing popular covers. Her ability to sing and play guitar drives her to teach others to obtain confidence in their performance on stage.

Dave Russell - Guitar & Bass

Dave has completed AMEB Piano Grade 6, Music Theory Grade 6, CPM Guitar Grade 4 and is currently studying a Master of Music at the Australian Institute of Music. He is currently playing in several original and covers bands around Sydney, as well as having a residency jazz gig at the Botanic Gardens restaurant. You can often see Dave playing pit guitar across Sydney in Music Theatre and Cabaret Shows.

Lincoln O'Neill - Guitar

Lincoln O'Neill has been playing music since age 9, in this time learing guitar, piano, drums and bass. Lincoln has worked as a guitar teacher for 8 years, has played in duos & cover bands around NSW, has tutored and performed for HSC exams, arranged and recored performance backing music and is forever working on original compositions.

Harry Brewster-Jones - Guitar

 

Harry has been playing guitar for 9 years and has been teaching prior to Dural Music for 2 years. Harry is undertaking study in Music technology and Production, as well as studying jazz guitar at the Sydney Conservatorium open academy. In between his studies and teaching, he is involved in writing, recording & performing regularly in various original and cover bands around Sydney. Having been heavily influenced by Rock in his early years, he also loves to play Jazz, Funk and Blues.

Daniel Maher - Guitar

Dan works as a freelance guitarist for recordings, accompaniments and mainly musical theatre. Being a versatile player, he is influenced by many styles including: rock, jazz, blues, pop, and funk . You can find Dan working as a pit musician in musical theatre productions all across Sydney - a few of his credits include Children Of Eden, The Wedding Singer and High School Musical 2 – Live On Stage. He has also filled the guitar chair in the Australian Army Reserve Band for some of their biggest gigs; and he hopes to study at the Sydney Conservatorium next year.

Nick Goon - Guitar

 

  Drums / Percussion

 

Tim Parsons - Drums & Percussion

Tim has recently completed a Bachelor of Music, as well as having over 6 years teaching experience. As a sought after performer, Tim has performed extensively throughout Australia. He currently plays in two originals bands, frequently tutors at school workshops, and teaches privately in Dural.

 

Jeremy Godwin - Drums

Jeremy has achieved an Associate Diploma in Contemporary Music from the Australian Institute of Music. As well as tutoring drums & percussion full time, he has played in covers shows such as the Bon Jovi Show, the Screaming Jets  and the Baby Animals Show. Jeremy has also played throughout Sydney as a session musician in several recording studios.

Vocals

Cara Suleiman - Vocals

Cara has been singing since the age of 11, coached in pop, jazz, musical theatre and classical music. Cara has completed her Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre Performance) at the Australian Institute of Music and has performed in many shows acrosss Sydney. Cara has also recently become envolved with the cover band scene around Sydney.