Reviews

“I came to RMA through a gift voucher I was given as a birthday present, and 2 years later I am still coming to classes and Ioving every week! After turning my back on the piano for 15 years, I was really inspired and encouraged by the style of teaching at RMA, and I have been really amazed and delighted by how much progress I have made since returning to piano after so long! I am even considering starting singing lessons
-something I have been too shy to do up until this point.
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“I have been a student at the Richmond Music Academy for over 12 months now and always look forward to my weekly lesson.

I have been fortunate to meet a number of the teachers at the Academy who are all very kind and welcoming. Recently, RMA hosted a recital at a local jazz bar for all the students that wanted to participate. It was a fantastic night and very well organised. Each student that took part played a piece which was followed by a warm applause from the very kind audience of mostly friends and family of each of the students. This was my first ever recital and I can’t wait for the next event which is scheduled for 2014. I have attended a number of music schools and have never come across a more personal, welcoming and humble school than the Richmond Music Academy. I highly recommend this school for any student, intro or advanced as they have a wide range of teachers to meet every level.
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“Very friendly environment with a great knowledge of what is being taught. Alway made feel very welcome and comfortable in the environment. Great learning opportunities with great management at a reasonable price. Quite flexible time management. Very impressed. ”

“What you get a Richmond Music Academy is a tailored approach to learning piano but overall music theory. My situation is a little bit different as I was not the typical piano student but was interested in learning music theory for composing electronic music. My teacher Dan always seems to teach me what I need to know, gently guiding me in the right direction. It has been around a year now and I feel as though I have a good grasp of the fundamentals and this has really given me lots of options when composing. Highly recommended for normal piano teaching but also if you have something out of the ordinary, Dan is open minded and up for the challenge. ”

“ I was very pleased with my lessons in songwriting at the academy. Exactly what I was looking for. Very supportive teachers. ”

“I had been teaching myself how to produce for some time, I was making progress but it was taking a lot of time, especially with the learning style of trial and error. I eventually hit a point of plateau and realised that I needed someone to help me reach the next level of producing quality tracks and break my sticking points, fortunately I stumbled across chart roller tuition. Gary and Levi helped me break my sticking points, taught me techniques of the guys who are globally recognised and this enabled me to make my tracks stand out. If you’re looking to take your producing to the next level, create your own unique sound and reach the level of the tracks you hear on the radio and at popular music festivals look no further than Richmond Music Academy, these guys know their stuff and will help you reach your full potential.”

“A friend and I have been studying guitar with Jack for about a year. We both had played casually for years but wanted to be challenged and learn to improvise and Jack has been fantastic! He’s very patient and kind and presents us with something new every class. He seems to be able to play every style of guitar effortlessly and has taught us a lot about how to improvise with the guitar and play more confidantly. He’d be great for any level!”

“I have been taking guitar lessons at Richmond Music Academy every week for over three years now. When i started I knew nothing about playing a guitar. Adrian Burruto has taught me all of the basics, how to read music, understand rhythm and beat, how to play notes and chords and we have even completed a few contemporary songs. He is a great teacher, is very patient and relates really well to his students.

As I work full time my guitar passion is just a hobby so I cannot dedicate 100% of my time to this. With the skills that i have learned from playing the guitar at Richmond Music Academy with Adrian, I can manage to practice for at least 15 minutes a day.

One day i plan to play at the open mic night at Dizzy’s Jazz Club in Richmond, which is run on a monthly basis by RMA (and is next door), but my strumming and transitions still need a little work!

I would recommend RMA to anyone of any musical level who is interested in learning to play guitar.

The staff are fantastic, they are professional musicians and have developed a real community around Richmond. Michael Avery runs a really good school and they teach piano and singing too. Its always great fun going there.”

“They have one of the best classical guitar teacher in Melbourne. It helped me get Distinction Grade 8 ABRSM Classical guitar. Will miss them”

“Michael is a super nice person to talk to, my tutor is very professional in teaching as well, it seems that right from the beginning, she knows what I want as a late beginner for piano:)”

“Levi is the real deal, a true Professional. A teacher who can actually teach 1000 times better then any youtube or forum out there, and trust me I have clocked up a lot of time watching and reading.
Music Production is not easy and does take time but with a teacher like Levi you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, the way he breaks things down makes things very easy to grasp making your goals achievable.
If you are serious about wanting to learn how to produce don’t waste another minute looking at a website. Levi is the man to put you on the right path. I have came a long way in such a short amount of time. I like to think I shaved off years and this is all due to his huge amount of experience and broad knowledge of music. His passion really reflects in his teaching.
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“After having a break from guitar, I really wanted to get back into playing and learning music. Without having the time and money for a university course, I decided to go with RMA and it was the best decision for my music I’ve ever made. Not only are the teachers musicians themselves, but they’re passionate to offload their knowledge and experience wherever possible. Whatever you’re interested in (guitar, production, piano, bass), the guys at RMA will give you what you need to learn, play and love music. Plus they have open mic nights once a month at a jazz bar right next door.”

““Richmond Music Academy is amazing! I set a goal of learning to play the guitar and sing in 3 months, so I could play a song for my wife at our wedding - a seemingly impossible task. I couldn’t have done it without Michael; always encouraging and a great teacher - he made it possible and we had heaps of fun along the way!
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“My lessons at the Academy are something I look forward to it. They’re pitched at my personal needs and development, the teachers are great and they provide an environment where I feel encouraged to learn. Just as importantly, they’re fun and that really helps to keep me motivated.
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“I currently learn jazz piano with Dan Robertson, at Richmond Music Academy. I’ve had other teachers before, and stuck with Dan because he’s a great communicator, and ‘gets’ me as a student. Dan goes above and beyond most other teachers. He invests in his students a great deal. Over the course of my tuition, I’ve gotten to know Dan really well. He’s not just my piano teacher, he’s an all-round nice guy I enjoy talking to.
You’re in good hands with Richmond Music Academy! ”

“Have been coming here for almost 8 months now to learn piano. I highly recommend this place. The teachers are fantastic and Michael is awesome. Very helpful, nothing is too much trouble and the environment for learning is great. I’m stoked with the progress I’ve been making learning piano. As someone older (33yrs) the thought of learning a new instrument was a bit daunting, but the method of teaching has allowed me to pick things up very quickly. I’m amazed at how my old brain has been able to learn new tricks. Big thumbs up! Thanks guys :)”

“I dug out the guitar I bought 40 years ago, dusted it off, restrung it and found my “Book 1 – Beginner”. “I remember what to do! This will be easy! I don’t need lessons!” Guess what – I found out there is a bit more to this, to say the least. So I decided to commit to RMA and with my teacher Michael Avery’s care and expert guidance, I am feeling like I actually have proper musical ability, which is improving each week.
In addition, I am tapping into the genres I love, thereby making the experiences more enjoyable.
I thoroughly recommend RMA as a relaxing learning place for aspiring musicians and artists.
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“I have been a student at the Richmond Music Academy since its inception and a pupil of Daniel Robertson for two years. I cannot speak more highly of Dan as a teacher. He is a skilled pianist with robust academic qualifications. While being passionate about both classical and jazz piano he is especially talented in his performance of baroque keyboard music. As an instructor and mentor, Dan is patient, proactive, accommodating and encouraging. Every lesson he greets me with a smile, brimming with enthusiasm and eager to begin. Although he has an impressive command of the classical repertoire, he is always open to new ideas regarding expression and interpretation. Before Dan’s tutelage, my education in piano had been patchy. However, in under two years of lessons at the Academy, I successfully passed my first piano exam with a credit (AMEB grade 6). The Academy itself is inviting, well laid-out and professionally-equipped. Individual rooms are soundproofed. I understand the building has been renovated to meet council stipulations for disabled access. In addition, I have had the pleasure of hearing the other professionals at the Academy perform in concert to a high level of technical ability. I continue to recommend the Richmond Music Academy for everyone I know who is interested in pursuing music lessons. ”

“I have been a student at the Richmond Music Academy for over 12 months now and always look forward to my weekly lesson.

I have been fortunate to meet a number of the teachers at the Academy who are all very kind and welcoming. Recently, RMA hosted a recital at a local jazz bar for all the students that wanted to participate. It was a fantastic night and very well organised. Each student that took part played a piece which was followed by a warm applause from the very kind audience of mostly friends and family of each of the students. This was my first ever recital and I can’t wait for the next event which is scheduled. I have attended a number of music schools and have never come across a more personal, welcoming and humble school than the Richmond Music Academy. I highly recommend this school for any student, intro or advanced as they have a wide range of teachers to meet every level.
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“Had guitar lessons with Jack for 1.5 years and thoroughly enjoyed it. He’s extremely knowledgeable and able to give direction on whatever it is you want out of your lessons. Very friendly, great atmosphere and all the tools you need to succeed. ”

“My wife Pauline and I moved to Richmond early in 2015 and wanted to begin music lessons on the guitar and piano respectively. We were lucky enough to find the Richmond Music Academy and spoke to Michael, the Principal and owner, who arranged for suitable tutors/teachers and ensured that we had both suitable and concurrent times for our lessons. In my case, I have had two tutors/teachers during the past eighteen months, and have found both of them to be talented practitioners and skilled teachers. I would be happy to recommend the Richmond Music Academy to anyone who wants to further their music knowledge and skills, and wish to emphasise Michael’s personal and positive commitment to his Academy, his tutors/teachers and his students. I am also happy to elaborate if anyone wishes to discuss my experience in further detail.”

“Having never picked up a guitar (but wanting to) I was given 5 guitar lessons at RMA as a gift 2 years, and have continued on with Jack ever since. Very casual setting and he provides a great mix of theory and practical exercises, as well as teaching a wide range of music from jazz, blues, and rock with loads of well known tunes. Always look forward to learning new things to try and enhance my sessions with the guitar.”

“A strong community of friendly music experts. Great place to learn music, highly recommend!”

“When I first started with Adrian I was too embarrassed to sing in front of him and the thought of writing my own songs didn’t even enter my realm of possibility. Not only has he given me the technical skills to become a musician but he showed me that with the right guidance anyone can learn to write their own songs. He also taught me that performing is not just about being able to play the guitar or singing a tune, it’s about song dynamics and keeping the listener engaged. Proud to say that I’m now writing my own songs and performing them to strangers at open mics, all thanks to Adrian. He is a fantastic music teacher from guitar to songwriting to performing on stage. Oh and he’s a great bloke too.”

“Had piano lessons with Matt for about 10 months. He’s an amazing player, an inspiring teacher and a lovely guy. I feel like I progressed a lot and he also put me onto a bunch of awesome music I didn’t know about. The academy itself is a cool place and really well-run. Performance nights were heaps of fun too!”

“I started guitar lessons at RMA about 2 years ago as a complete newbie with Adrian. Through that time I have learned far more than I ever expected always at my own pace and with complete patience when I have not been able to invest as much time as I would like! The welcoming environment, encouragement and community at RMA is always something to look forward to and ensures I pick up the guitar at least once a week. RMA run an open-mic night at a local bar every couple of months which is a fantastic night out and a unique opportunity to be able to experience performing to an extremely supportive crowd - I highly recommend them! In the last 8 months I also started my 2 kids with Adrian who were already playing, but their growth in skill and confidence in that time has been remarkable, so can recommend for all ages and skill levels! ”

“We just so happy to be a part of the “infectious” passion at RMA. My daughter (7 years) has been learning guitar with Adrian for about 12 months now and I (49 years young) have recently started singing lessons with Jenna.

Adrian has it all - dedicated to sharing his gift of music, a very talented musician, a very empathetic and supportive teacher, and a really nice guy! Adrian has cleverly tapped into what suits and motivates her age group and she is happily strumming along and singing with enthusiasm. We are all very fond of Adrian and really look forward to our weekly lessons.

Although early days for me –only 2 lessons thus far – Jenna has also been wonderful; passionate, patient and unleashing my inner voice with gentle expertise. RMA is a special place – a small friendly school, with a hugely talented crew of “well sourced” teachers. ”

“My son 13 years has been a piano student of Dan Robertson’s for over 2 years at Richmond Music Academy. My son was new to piano when he started, and Dan has done a truly excellent job in getting him started, engaging him, maintaining his commitment and enjoyment of learning piano over this time. This is particularly admirable given that my son who loves a challenge, resisted learning piano via more traditional graded music texts. So over two years my son has selected for Dan and successfully learnt to play a series of varied and sometimes quite complex musical pieces taken from gaming music; while seamlessly learning and integrating musical theory and technique along the way. Dan’s philosophy as a teacher is to facilitate an enduring love of playing music, that will outlive learning focused solely on passing music exams. While Dan is a very accomplished performance pianist who plays in a variety of styles including jazz, Latin and classical, he is most importantly for us a great teacher; even tempered, personable, intuitive, fun, very knowledgeable, and flexible and creative in his approach to teaching music. I would highly recommend Dan as a piano teacher for any other young person who needs an inspiring teacher who can understand them and how they might best learn, and understands the old adage that one approach does not necessarily suit all.
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“ I’ve been learning piano at Richmond Music Academy for 6 incredible months now and have really enjoyed every minute of my time there. Dan Robertson is a great teacher and really keeps you motivated to keep playing! ”

“My son got incredible great support by the music academy in Richmond! thank you Dan! ”

“Excellent! Anyone looking for an awesome teacher in producing EDM hit up Garry Sheba! Best teacher in Melbourne!”

“My lessons at the Academy are something I look forward to it. They’re pitched at my personal needs and development, the teachers are great and they provide an environment where I feel encouraged to learn. Just as importantly, they’re fun and that really helps to keep me motivated.
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“I look forwards to my lessons every week! Great atmosphere, I get the sense everyone at RMA really ‘cares’ about teaching and helping people learn. Great bunch”

“After having a break from guitar, I really wanted to get back into playing and learning music. Without having the time and money for a university course, I decided to go with RMA and it was the best decision for my music I’ve ever made. Not only are the teachers musicians themselves, but they’re passionate to offload their knowledge and experience wherever possible. Whatever you’re interested in (guitar, production, piano, bass), the guys at RMA will give you what you need to learn, play and love music. Plus they have open mic nights once a month at a jazz bar right next door.”

“Jack Palmer taught my daughter Alex to play the guitar and she looked forward to her lesson every week. It is so nice to hear her play the guitar and enjoy it. You truly are a great teacher Jack thank you so much”

“Have been learning Drums at RMA for several months now, Alex is an awesome Drum teacher, willing to adapt lessons to include your interests as well as make sure your learning the fundamentals.
Michael is also incredibly welcoming and encouraging to new students. ”