Who are we?
Julia Sykes School of Music is a piano school established by Julia Sykes in 1998. Students learn through the Sykes Piano method, a philosophy of learning the piano developed by Julia that is enjoyable, students progress quickly and they become very well rounded musicians. There are currently 5 piano teachers and lessons are offered in Manjimup, Wembley, Mt Claremont and online. All teachers are qualified and trained Sykes Piano Teachers. Students have many performance opportunities every year. There have been many success stories of students that have learned through the school, that have gone on to work in the music industry and music has continued to be an important part of their lives. Emmy Hobbs helps run the administration of the school.
The Teachers
Julia Sykes
teaches in Manjimup and online
Julia began learning piano at the age of 6 and began teaching piano at the age of 14. As a child she won many sections in the WA Performing Arts Eisteddfod, and started learning to play the cello as a teenager. She completed AMEB Grade 7 piano and AMEB Grade 5 Theory and then went on to study a Bachelor of Music Education at The University of Western Australia. After graduation, in 2001, she began teaching piano full-time. In 2003 she began writing Sykes Piano. In 2005 Julia expanded her music school in Subiaco. This music school offered lessons in piano and many instruments and grew to over 350 students and 16 teachers. Many of her students have won music competitions, achieved high grades in exams, been accepted to study music at a tertiary level, have gone on to pursue careers in music or have worked in the music industry. Julia has trained over 30 piano teachers, has created 11 piano books, 4 teacher’s manuals and made 100’s of piano tutorial videos. She is also a qualified Kodaly teacher. She is now the director of Julia Sykes School of Music, Sykes Music and teaches about 50 piano students.
Get lessons with Julia | juliasykesschoolofmusic@gmail.com
Marian Villegas
teaches in Mt Claremont, Perth
Marian learned piano for a year before she began with Abigail when she was 9 years old and reached Grade 6 piano.
She completed AMEB Grade 2 Theory and studied ATAR Music with a focus on African American, and Folk Music.
Marian was a member of a few co-curricular music groups: choir, rock band, piano ensemble and assisted
occasionally for accompaniment in recitals, as part of a duet. She also conducted for her interhouse chorale, where
she arranged, taught and conducted a hymn piece to her house cohort. Marian loves to perform and has performed at
school recitals, school assemblies, school events as part of a rock band, and at the Catholic School Performing Arts
Festivals (CSPAF). She’s interested in a wide range of music but favours K-Pop and J-pop above all else. Marian
works as a Kumon Assistant in Perth during the week and teaches piano on Saturdays. She’s also planning to
complete Honours in Chemistry at UWA in 2027. Marian will begin teaching in 2026.
Get lessons with Marian | juliasykesschoolofmusic@gmail.com
Starting Soon!
Now enrolling!
Starting soon!
Now enrolling!
Madison Horlock
teaches in Manjimup, W.A
Madi has been learning piano with Julia since 2017, when she was 6 years old. She recently completed Grade 3 piano with Julia, is working on Grade 4 Piano and Grade 2 Theory. Madi loves to perform, performing regularly at her church, at local events and has performed at multiple Eisteddfods - awarded many places over the years.
Madi will begin teaching in 2026.
Get lessons with Madison | juliasykesschoolofmusic@gmail.com
Abigail Ng
teaches in Mt Claremont, Perth
Abigail started playing the organ when she was four years old, and progressed to playing the piano at the age of six. She has completed her piano Grade 8 ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), and currently works full time as an accountant and teaches piano on Saturdays. She is interested in all kinds of music - especially K-pop, and also enjoys playing the guitar. Abigail began teaching Sykes Music in January 2012. Abigail has had great success as a piano teacher, with her students enjoying learning with her.
Get lessons with Abigail | juliasykesschoolofmusic@gmail.com
Imogen Jacob
teaches in Manjimup, W.A.
Imogen had been learning with Julia Sykes for almost 10 years, before she decided to start her teaching journey with the school. She's been teaching for over a year now, as well as continuing her learning with Julia, currently studying Grade 5 Piano and Grade 2 Theory.
Get lessons with Imogen | juliasykesschoolofmusic@gmail.com
Learn more
If you would like to read more about Julia Sykes School of Music, download the handbook below. This 25 page document gives more detail into the Sykes Piano Program and the aspects of music covered. It also 3 pages of testimonials for you to see the success of these teachers and the program.