Piano Lessons - AMEB Teaching Award winning studio

Watch student performances: https://www.youtube.com/@samueldharmapianostudio

Sam Dharma has taught piano for more than 15 years in Australia and overseas. He is honored to have been named AMEB NSW's 2023 and 2024 Most Outstanding Private Teacher, Keyboard Category (Grade 7 to Licentiate), having been named in the Top 10 list every year since 2021.

Since returning to Sydney in 2014, he has maintained an award winning private teaching studio in the Hills District. His students include successful AMEB and Trinity diploma candidates, HSC Music 2 state rank and Encore nominees as well as prizewinners in piano competitions across Sydney such as the Sydney, Ryde and Hawkesbury Eisteddfods, the Mid-year Mozart Piano Competition in Galston and the La Pianista Competition. They have also received offers to study Piano Performance at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, as well as at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and the University of British Columbia with scholarship.

Above all else, he wishes to inspire and encourage each student to love music and find their artistic voice. He develops personalised programs tailored to each student according to their goal, commitment, talent and ability.

Students have the opportunity to play in studio classes during school term holidays (except Christmas), as well as perform at least once a year in public studio recitals. Advanced students have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses given by internationally renowned pianists such as Prof. Claudia Chan (Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Köln), Dr. David Fung (Manhattan School of Music, New York and University of British Columbia, Vancouver), Dr Brenda Jones, Prof. Jerry Wong (University of Melbourne) and Dr Avan Yu (1st prize, 2012 Sydney International Piano Competition).

The studios are located in Baulkham Hills featuring a 2022 Yamaha C1X, 2025 Kawai GX-6 and 1986 Steinway & Sons Model M (Hamburg), as well as Cherrybrook featuring a 2018 Kawai GX-2. Due to limited vacancy, currently Sam is only able to consider students who are at least of approximately grade 4 AMEB standard (exam not required). Exceptions may be made for committed and dedicated students.

Next studio concerts

Saturday, 5 December 2026
Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Conservatorium Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

Notable recent student achievements

2026
E.C. - 1st prize in Category B (9-11yo) of the 6th Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition 2026
3rd prize in Open Romantic (12/U) and 5th prize in Open Baroque (12/U) sections of St George Eisteddfod
1st prize in Ryde-Eastwood District Music Club Award and Junior Bach Award (14/U), 1st prize in Piano Solo (11yo) section, and 2nd prize in Junior Piano Championship (12/U) of Ryde Eisteddfod
H.C. - 1st prize in Open Romantic (13-16yo), 4th prize in Restricted (13-16yo) and Highly Commended in Open (13-16yo) sections of St George Eisteddfod
2nd prize in Piano Solo Restricted (15/O) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
I.C. - HSC Music 2/Extension 1 Encore nomination
B.G. - Highly Commended in Baroque Piano Solo (9-12yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
D.J. - HSC Music 2 Encore nomination
2nd prize in Australian Piano Solo (Open) and 3rd prize in Piano Brillante (15/O) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.L. - 3rd prize in Piano Solo (13yo), and Highly Commended in Piano Brillante (11-14yo) and Piano Solo Restricted (12-14yo) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
M.L. - 2nd prize in Chopin Piano (12/U) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
3rd prize in prize in Junior Piano Championship (12/U) and Junior Multi Instruments (14/U) section, and Highly Commended in Junior Bach Award (14/U) of Ryde Eisteddfod
V.L. - 3rd prizes in Piano Solo Special Restricted (12-14yo) and Junior Multi Instruments (14/U) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.L. - AMusA
Highly Commended in Piano Solo (14yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
C.L. - HSC Music Extension 1 Encore nomination
5th prize in Open Age Piano Solo section of St George Eisteddfod
1st prize in Piano Solo (17-19yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
J.L. - AMusA
Highly Commended in Piano (12yo) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
1st prize in Open Sonata (12/U) and Highly Commended in Open Junior Romantic (12/U) and Restricted (11/U) sections of St George Eisteddfod
3rd prize in Piano Solo (11yo) section and Highly Commended in Junior Piano Championship (12/U) and Junior Multi Instruments (14/U) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.L. - HSC Music 2/Extension 1 Encore nomination
R.J.T. - 1st prize in Category C (12-14yo) of the 6th Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition 2026
Gold Award in the Junior Section of the 8th Finlandia International Piano Competition
2nd prize in the 2026 Steinway Galleries Australia Youth Piano Competition
Highly Commended in Open Romantic (13-16yo) section of St George Eisteddfod
1st prize in Piano Solo (14yo) and 3rd prize in Piano Solo Restricted (12-14yo) sections, and Highly Commended in Junior Bach Award (14/U) of Ryde Eisteddfod
E.R. - 1st prize in Junior Bach Award (14/U), 3rd prize in Australian Piano Solo (13-16yo) section and Reserve Finalist in the Ryde-Eastwood District Music Club Award of Ryde Eisteddfod
Z.S. - AMusA
HSC Music 2 Encore nomination
2nd prize in Piano Solo (15/16yo) and Australian Piano Solo (13-16yo), and 3rd prize in Piano Solo Restricted (15/O) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
R.T. - 1st prize in Category C (12-14yo) of the 6th Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition 2026
Silver Award in the Junior Section of the 8th Finlandia International Piano Competition
5th prize in Open Classical Sonata (13-16yo) and Highly Commended in Restricted (13-16yo) sections of St George Eisteddfod
Finalist in Outstanding Pianist 2026, 1st prize in Australian Piano Solo (13-16yo), 2nd prize in Piano Brillante (11-14yo) and 3rd prize in Piano Solo (13yo) sections, and 3rd prize in Junior Bach Award (14/U) of Ryde Eisteddfod
Z.T. - 3rd prize in Restricted (13-16yo) and 4th prizes in Open Baroque and Classical Sonata (13-16yo) sections of St George Eisteddfod
2nd place in Piano Solo (13yo) section, and Highly Commended in Mozart Society Award and Junior Multi Instruments (14/U) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
M.W. - HSC Music 2/Extension 1 Encore nomination
N.Z. - Highly Commended in Piano Solo (11yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
S.Z. - LMusA (distinction)
3rd prize in Piano Solo (17-19yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod

2025
H.C. - Highly Commended in 20th/21st Century (15&16yo) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
Highly Commended in Piano Solo (14yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
I.C. - Winner of Form V Concerto Competition at Sydney Grammar School
I.C. - AMusA
Highly Commended in Senior Bach Award (15/O) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
B.G. - 2nd prize in Piano Solo (8yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.L. - Highly Commended in Recital Award and 20th/21st Century (12yo) sections of Sydney Eisteddfod
3rd prize in Junior Piano Championship (12/U) and Highly Commended in Piano Solo Restricted (12-14yo) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
M.L. - Highly Commended in Recital Award and 20th/21st Century (10yo) sections of Sydney Eisteddfod
3rd prize in Australian Piano Solo (9-12yo) and Highly Commended in Piano Brillante (10/U) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
C.L. - Highly Commended in Recital Award (16yo) of Sydney Eisteddfod
C.L. - LMusA (distinction), AMusA (distinction)
Highly Commended in Open Piano Award section of Sydney Eisteddfod
1st prize in Piano Brillante (15/O), 2nd prize in Piano Solo (15/16yo) and Highly Commended in The Ryde-Eastwood District Music Club Award sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.L. - LMusA
4th place in Piano Solo Restricted (13-16yo) and Highly Commended in Piano Solo Open (13-16yo) sections of St George Eisteddfod
H.L. State rank 4th in HSC Music 2
HSC Music 2 and Extension 1 Encore nominations
H.M. - HSC Music Extension 1 Encore nomination
K.Q. - Highly Commended in Chamber Music (18/U) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
1st prize in Small Ensembles - Classical (Open) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
Edna Wilde Award - Instrumental Ensemble
E.R. - AMusA
Highly Commended in 18th Century and 20th/21st Century (13&14yo) sections of Sydney Eisteddfod
R.J.T. - AMusA (distinction)
Highly Commended in Junior Bach Award (14/U) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
R.T. - Highly Commended in Piano Brillante (11-14yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
Z.T. - Highly Commended in The Well-Tempered Klavier (15/U) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
2nd prize in Baroque Piano Award (9-12yo) and Highly Commended in Piano Solo (12yo) sections, and Finalist in the Mozart Society Award of Ryde Eisteddfod
B.X. - Highly Commended in Recital Award (17/O) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
1st prize in Piano Solo (17-19yo) and Highly Commended in The Ryde-Eastwood District Music Club Award sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
HSC Music Extension 1 Encore nomination
Y.X. - AMusA

2024
H.C. - AMusA
2nd prize in Piano Solo (13yo) and Highly Commended in Piano Solo restricted (12-14yo) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
I.C. - LMusA (distinction)
Highly Commended in 19th Century (15&16yo) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
Highly Commended in Senior Bach Award (15/O) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
W.H. - AMusA
1st prize in Piano Solo (13yo) and 3rd prize in Junior Bach Award (14/U) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
S.H. - ATCL
A.L. - Highly Commended in Piano Solo (11yo) and Australian Piano Solo (9-12yo) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
M.L. - 1st prize Piano Solo (9yo) and 3rd prize in Piano Solo restricted (9-11yo) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
C.L. - AMusA
A.L. - 1st prize in Piano Solo (15&16yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
H.L. - AMusA
Runner-up of The Ryde-Eastwood District Music Club Award section of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.M-S. - 1st prize in 20th/21st Century (17/O) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
HSC Music Extension 1 Encore nomination
N.M. - 3rd prize in Piano Solo (15&16yo) and Highly Commended in Senior Multi Instruments (15/O) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
H.M. - LMusA
2nd prize in Australian (Open) section of Sydney Eisteddfod
R.T. - 1st prize in Piano Solo restricted (9-11yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
Z.T. - AMusA
B.X. - 1st prize in Piano Solo (17-19yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod

2023
I.C. - AMusA
Highly Commended in 18th Century, Chopin and Recital Award (15&16yo) sections of Sydney Eisteddfod
2nd prize in Piano Solo restricted (13-16yo) and 3rd prize in Piano Solo (14yo) sections, and Finalist in the Mozart Society Award of Ryde Eisteddfod
B.C. - 1st prize in Senior Bach Award (15/O) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
HSC Music Extension 1 Encore nomination
W.H. - Highly Commended in Junior Bach Award (14/U) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
G.L. - 3rd prize in Piano Solo (17-19yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
M.L. - AMusA
Y.L. - LMusA
A.L. - AMusA
Highly Commended in Piano Solo (14yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.M-S. - Highly Commended in 20th/21st Century and Recital Award (17/O) sections of Sydney Eisteddfod
H.M. - AMusA
A.S. - 1st prize in Australian Piano Solo (16/U) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
M.T. - 2nd prize, Newington College concerto competition
Z.T. - 3rd prize in Piano Brillante (10/U) and Highly Commended in Subjunior Piano Championship (10/U) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
S.Z. - 1st prize in Piano Featured Composer (Debussy) section (15/O) of Ryde Eisteddfod

2022
G.L. - LMusA
J.T. - AMusA
M.T. - 1st prize, Newington College concerto competition
B.W. - LTCL (distinction)
S.Z. - AMusA

2021
B.C. - AMusA (distinction)
L.C. - AMusA
G.L. - AMusA
A.M-S. - Highly Commended in Recital Award and 19th Century (15&16yo) sections of Sydney Eisteddfod
A.P. - Highly Commended in Piano Brillante (15/O) and Mozart Society Award (16/U) sections of Ryde Eisteddfod
F.P. - 1st prize in Piano Solo (14yo) section of Ryde Eisteddfod
A.S. - 1st prize in Bach Award (14/U) of Ryde Eistedfodd

2020
P.B. - AMusA
Y.L. - AMusA
A.R. - HSC Music Extension 1 Encore Nomination
A.S. - AMusA

2019
C.L. - AMusA
V.L. - AMusA (distinction)
A.P. - Highly Commended in a 12/U section of Ryde Eisteddfod
M.T. - Highly Commended in 18th Century, 20th/21st Century and Chopin sections of Sydney Eisteddfod
E.X. - Highly Commended in Classical Sonata section (15/U) of Sydney Eisteddfod
E.Y. - LMusA and HSC Music 2 & Extension 1 Encore Nomination
S.Z. - Highly Commended in 20th/21st Century section of Sydney Eisteddfod

2018
A.R. - 2nd prizes, Ryde Eisteddfod and HSC Music 2 Encore Nomination
M.T. - 1st prizes, Ryde Eisteddfod
E.Y. - AMusA (QLD)

2017
M.B. - ATCL
L.J. - Highly Commended, Ryde Eisteddfod
A.R. - 2nd place, Mid-Year Mozart Competition, Galston
J.T. - 2nd place, La Pianista Competition
E.Y. - AMusA
E.X. - 1st place, La Pianista Competition

2016
R.C. - ATCL (distinction)
H.K. - 1st & 2nd prizes, Hawkesbury Eisteddfod
C.Y. - AMusA

Testimonials

"I have learned so much from you, in terms of both music and life after high school and HSC. Thank you for teaching me that marks, a number, and a piece of paper are not of as much importance as the journey and the lessons learnt along the way...thank you for being the best music teacher anyone could ever have: the philosophical lessons that come with it are unrivalled." - Ms. E.Y., LMusA and 2019 HSC Music 2 & Extension 1 Encore nominee

"I find that I have made very good progress with your coaching and the Hanon & Czerny exercise and the pieces chosen by you. I have recorded my playing and when I played back, I could not quite believe that I can such fast Czerny exercises and challenging pieces like Mozart sonata in F major!" - Ms. K.G., adult student

"My son, Aaron, is a talented student of piano, having reached AMEB Grade 8 by the age of nine. In no small way, Sam's expertise as a piano teacher has contributed to this. Sam has taught Aaron for several years, guiding him with patience, kindness, sensitivity and determination, and imparting a deep appreciation of the beauty and subtleties of classical music as only a masterful musician could do." - Mr M-S., parent