Piano Teacher

Jazz Workshop Australia

Jazz Piano Lessons

You can study jazz and/or classical piano at JWA with Gavin Ahearn or Geoffroy Colson. Both are outstanding teachers. Like all our faculty they are experienced and qualified. Suitable for all ages and levels. Preparation for HSC and school music assessments is available.

Jazz piano can provide a wonderful but substantial alternative to the common exam – based rote learning method. Of course lessons for beginners include all the technique, reading and theory essential for a strong foundation in the instrument.

Gavin Ahearn is an acclaimed performer, composer, producer, and a terrific educator. His patient, gentle approach belies a fiery passion for the music and a formidable wealth of experience as an international performer. He is a brilliant teacher for students of all ages, from the youngest beginner to seasoned professionals!

Geoffroy Colson is a French ethnomusicologist, pianist, composer, and music teacher. He is currently completing a PhD in Ethnomusicology and Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the University of Sydney.

Through his current research, which focuses on the aesthetic and cultural issues surrounding musical change and ‘hybridity’ in French Polynesia, he has been pursuing vital new ways to contribute to Islander approaches to sustaining their rich but extremely vulnerable traditions.

His career as a jazz pianist and music teacher led him to develop an interest in musical syntheses, thereby to discover the fascinating Polynesian culture in 2002. From then on, he has been investigating Polynesian music and culture, and collaborating with indigenous artists.

His work articulates with a range of disciplines including ethnomusicology, anthropology, and creative performance studies research, exploring in particular the intersection between ethnomusicological research and composition.

Lessons include technique, sight reading, theory and improvisation.

Jazz Workshop Australia

JWA is a music school specialising in jazz education. We teach people how to play jazz and run programs focusing on musical excellence through jazz.

Located in St Leonards, JWA is very close to the station and transport. We offer private lessons with some of the biggest and best names in jazz in a superb purpose-built venue. Our qualified teaching faculty are all carefully selected as being outstanding players and commited teachers, passionate about passing on the unique joy of jazz.

A great feature of the Jazz Workshop is our program of jazz combos: small groups rehearsing weekly under the guidance of an expert tutor with regular performance opportunities. With groups for all ages and levels from 10 years and up, this is the perfect way to put your jazz playing into practice.

Our private instrumental students can sit for exams through the JWA Jazz Examination Syllabus. This is a unique student – centered program that offers a valuable recognised qualification through exams that are rigorous, serious, comprehensive and give a clear indication of a student’s playing level.

JWA also runs regular school holiday workshops as well as many one-off masterclasses.

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