Director and Piano Teacher

 

What year did you start teaching piano?

1990

 

What year did you start teaching the Sykes Piano Program?

2003

 

What piano exams have you completed?

Grade 7 AMEB

 

What theory exams have you completed?

Grade 5 AMEB

 

What music qualifications have you completed?

Bachelor of Music Education (University of Western Australia)

 

What music training or short courses have you completed? 

Level 1 Orff, 7 Piano Pedagogy Conferences, Dalcroze short course, Kodaly Secondary Level One.

 

How old where you when you began learning piano?

6

 

What other instruments do you play?

Cello, voice

 

What are your musical achievements? 

Won Eisteddfods when I was a child, entered the Tunley award at UWA, many A grades in piano exams, performed at the AMEB Awards when I was 11, composed many piano pieces, trained many piano teachers, and developed the Sykes Piano Program. My greatest achievements are my students.

 

Have you played in a particular group or involved in a particular performance that you would like to mention?

I enjoy accompanying instrumentalists, vocalists and choirs

 

What are your strengths as a piano teacher?

Lots of experience because I have taught hundreds of students and many of my students have done well and continued to play piano throughout their lives.

 

What do you like about teaching piano?

Seeing students enjoying playing the piano as much as I do. I love to see my students progress and do well.