The Performing Arts Instrumental Teachers.

Tania Grant is a highly sought after and experienced voice teacher, choral director and musical theatre vocal director in Geelong. She studied at the Melba Conservatorium of Music in Classical Voice and has 13 years voice teaching experience. Tania has worked, studied and attended professional development conferences in many places all over the world and at home including; NYC, (New York Voice Centre) Stockholm, Scotland, (Kristin Linklater) London, Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart. She holds a Bachelor of Music and has undertaken postgraduate studies in Voice at the VCA and NIDA and has recently commenced her Master of Arts/Voice Pedagogy at the University of Wales/Voice Workshop UK. She has extensive experience in accent work and the Estill Voice Method as well as an abundant performance CV. She is a passionate pedagogue first and foremost and she believes singers should never stop learning and has made a commitment to be a life-long learner about the voice. Tania’s thirst for knowledge has led her to many professional development opportunities over the years and in 2020. Along with completing qualifications at the Berklee Conservatory in Boston and attending the NATS and Fitzmaurice virtual conferences; (USA) Tania was also a presenter at the recent ANATS National Conference where she presented her paper ‘Brain Development in the Adolescent Female and its impact on singing education’. Most recently Tania has chosen to undertake the inaugural Vocal Health Education Vocal First Aid Course, which is a UK based initiative. Tania has a proven track record in preparing students for VCE Voice (classical and contemporary,) AMEB and ANZCA Classical, Musical Theatre and Singing for Leisure examinations and works with both professional and non-professional singers.

Tania has worked on many musicals including: Les Miserable, Sweet Charity, Cats, Urinetown, Heathers, Big Fish, Company, Evita, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, Guys and Dolls and All Shook Up to name a few.

Tania has a private voice studio and is at the helm of several secondary school choirs and vocal ensembles, she is an active member of ANATS, NATS, VASTA and the AVA. She has experience as an adjudicator and masterclass presenter and enjoys working on community singing and theatre projects such as the Geelong Summer Music Camp and The GSODA Theatre Collective. In April 2018 she married husband Alistair and in June 2019 she became a Mum to her beautiful little boy Percy.

Teresa is a performer and educator in Opera and Theatre in Australia and abroad. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Arts from the University of Melbourne, a Masters of Opera Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts USA and is currently completing her Masters of Teaching at Deakin University. She is a grant recipient from the Tait Memorial Trust, Opus 50 and the Opera and Arts Support Group.

In addition to performing as a singer and actor, Teresa currently develops and delivers music programs in disadvantaged schools throughout Victoria, leads a number of community choirs, and teaches private voice lessons.

As a performer Teresa has worked in opera and theatre in Australia, USA, and Europe. International performances include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Lyric Opera Studio of Weimar and Clorinda in La Cenerentola with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Whilst living in the USA Teresa worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus for two years under the baton of conductors including Riccardo Muti and Pierre Boulez. Since returning to Australia in 2012, Teresa’s performances have included Cindy and Wendy in Contact! (as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival), Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Naomi in Cinderella with Gertrude Opera, and the role of Lady Thiang (covered and performed) in Opera Australia/GFO’s national tour of The King and I. She has performed at Mofo Festival in Tasmania performing the work of uk composer Mira Calix, and toured the role of Sharon in Master Class with Left Bauer Productions. Roles with Victorian Opera included Rose (understudy) in What Next?, Cathy in Little Deaths, Madame Mao (understudy) and a chorus member in Nixon in China, a member of the dance ensemble in Maria De Beunos Aires and ensemble member in Sweeney Todd. Since completing her formal voice training Teresa has enjoyed performance opportunities in opera, music theatre, cabaret, experimental theatre, oratorio and recital settings. She has also worked as a featured actor in television commercials and theatre.

Teresa brings together her extensive experience as a performing artist and educator to utilise her creativity for social change to teach meaning as much as method and to harness her voice in a larger context.

www.teresaduddy.com

Having studied Classical Piano (8th Grade) and Theory (5th Grade) (AMEB) throughout his formative years, Adrian has continued on through his musical journey through styles such as: Jazz, Pop, Funk, Soul, RnB and Rock, to name a few, through TAFE study (AdvDip of Music) & tertiary study at Monash University (BMus) under the tutelage of some of Australia’s finest Pianists: Steve Sedergreen, Tony Gould, Marc Hannaford and Sam Keevers (all important figures in the Australian improvised music scene).

Adrian has gained extensive experience as an in demand performer playing regularly around Melbourne at venues such as The Forum Theatre, The Enmore Theatre, Max Watt’s, Federation Square, The Waiting Room (Crown), Sky Bar (Crown), Melbourne Recital Centre, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Paris Cat Jazz Club, RnBabe (Guy Sebastian Band), Golden Monkey Bar, Howler, 303 Bar and The Night cat, as well as various corporate functions (Australian Grand Prix, Australian Open Tennis, TED Talks, TV Broadcasts) and weddings across Australia, to name a few.

Adrian has toured and travelled, attending master classes, recording and performing extensively both internationally and around Australia with various original groups including NLUKE, KAIIT, Miiesha and Mayfield, across all major venues. These groups have seen Adrian perform at leading music festivals such as: Strawberry Fields, Golden Plains, Jungle Love, Big Sound, Laneway, White night, Splendour in the Grass and The End of the Line. Adrian was also invited to perform at the prestigious Melbourne International Jazz Festival in 2011 as part of the Jazz Futures concert series with International post rock/jazz artist Jim Black and in 2012 as part of the “Metlink Muso’s” performing in the main train stations in Melbourne. Adrian’s playing and collaborative style reflects his diverse musical upbringing, collaborating and creating music that reaches all cultures with no boundaries.

In addition, Adrian’s 14yrs of teaching experience is a reflection on what the music industry offers today. Adrian strives to tailor individual lessons to suit each individual student. Adrian’s philosophy is to provide a sense of enjoyment through practical learning, self-awareness, self-confidence and musical expression. As a music teacher, what Adrian teaches goes beyond musical concepts, notes and skills. Adrian aspires to provide the best skill-sets adaptable, not only to learning an instrument, but also to key aspects of life development.

Furthermore, Adrian continues to develop ways in which his pupils receive the most creative, holistic and modern approach to piano in the 21st century, using current pedagogy methods and being a part of International Piano Teaching Inner Circle membership groups where discussions take place regularly on the progression of music teaching for today and the future. He has also maintained distinction averages for examinations among all his students as well as accompanying them for university entrance exams, VCE exams and AMEB exams. Adrian continues to use mentors to further his skills as an educator as well as remaining current in the music industry as a performer, continuing to receive piano lessons from teachers internationally.

In conclusion, there is an undeniably special relationship between a teacher, a student, and the art of music. Adrian’s music teaching provides a self-awareness, self-expression and confidence that a student will carry with them for life. Lessons that hold well beyond the music sheets. Here, you will find that the art of teaching is as important as the art of music for Adrian Montagnese. For more info head over to Adrian Montagnese’s website & social pages:

www.montandco.com.au 

www.instagram.com/montandco

www.facebook.com/montandco

Erika has been singing and teaching for many years, starting off as a Classical Singer which was her focus while she was completing a B. Ed-Mus. As well as presenting many Classical Recitals, she also pursued her passion for Musical Theatre. During this time, Erika was teaching a significant number of secondary school students who were showing great interest in contemporary vocal styles. In answer to this, she commenced studying contemporary vocal production and absolutely loved it. As Erika’s journey progressed, becoming even more drawn to contemporary voice and musical theatre, she decided that she had to pursue it seriously. Erika went on to complete a Musical Theatre course at the National Theatre in St Kilda and by the time she was presenting her graduation showcase performance, “Use What You’ve Got”, Erika had already started rehearsals for “Topol’s Fiddler on the Roof” at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne. Following on from this were many corporate gigs, Cabarets, singing in a Jazz Band, doing keyboards and vocals in a Covers Band, a few more shows, VCE assessing, adjudicating eisteddfodau, conducting masterclasses and teaching.

Erika is happy to help you prepare for an exam (AMEB, VCE) or an audition, or give the skills to just sing for the joy of it.