Music teaching (Theory)

Preparation for AMEB examinations.

I have taught at Preschool, Primary and Secondary School, Sydney Conservatorium, and in my own Private Practices in Sydney and Brisbane. While at Macquarie University I taught music at the Down Syndrome Research Centre using small violins, voice and hand clapping.

Most of my work as a pianist has been in accompaniment of soloists at or from the Conservatorium, a couple of years playing for the Sydney Eisteddfod at the Opera House, several years working with a quintet in Melbourne, accompaniment in America, Thailand, Singapore and Ireland mainly when accompanying talented young Australians travelling together overseas.

A longtime side interest of mine has been playing and singing jazz. While I was still teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium, I approached Don Burrows who had just left a studio with others, and said to him ‘Don, could we start a Jazz School at the Con’. He answered, ‘Aw, no Jen, they wouldn’t let us.’ He rang me that night, and we talked about it for three quarters of an hour.

Well, it happened, and I although I knew he did not use a piano, I asked him if he would try a student of mine doing Grade 8 AMEB piano and playing jazz.

He said, alright, I’ll give him a try. Send him to me will you?

The boy got the job and played in the band for several years.