Who We Are

Adrian Burruto

Guitar and songwriting teacher

Adrian Burruto is an active Melbourne songwriter and sound artist who has released music as a solo artist (under the moniker Yokey) and is currently finalising a release with his new project No Teeth Motif. His acts have received support from 3RRR, PBS FM, Triple J and by the Melbourne community at large.

Yokey was a project that was primarily rooted in the tradition of folk music. Coming from the same lineage as Jeff Buckley, Gareth Liddiard (The Drones) and Nick Drake; Yokey, was focused on thought provoking lyrical landscapes accompanied by finger style guitar work.

No Teeth Motif, however, is a further devlopment on what Yokey was. Combining the core elements of classic songwriting with electronic textures, ambient spaces and dense harmony to present as an all encompassing modern singer/songwriter.

Equipped with a thorough understanding of how songwriting works and a philosophical framework to view music through, Adrian teaches his students to see music holistically. With a decade of teaching experience, Adrian is quick to identify how his knowledge can best serve his students to get to the next level of their musical journey. Combining this macro awareness with the micro skills - technical work, repertoire development and music theory - the result is a well rounded student who can effectively express themselves through music.

Jack Palmer

Production Teacher

Jack is a performer, composer, music producer and educator. He started teaching music at the age of sixteen in 2005 and is currently a senior teacher at the academy specialising in both guitar and digital music production. Since graduating with a bachelor degree from the ANU School of Music in 2013, Jack has cultivated a varied yet integrated artistic practice spanning jazz, electronica, experimental music, pop and beyond. He has a sincere and personal understanding of the art of music and the process of learning, which he expresses with awareness and precision to meet individual student needs.

Jack sees the beginning, middle, and end of a musical endeavour in equanimity and opens a space for students of all ages and levels to allow their unique journey to unfold. His teaching style is warmly energetic, encouraging, and open-minded — creativity and spontaneity always play a role in his lessons. His aim is for students to gain the confidence to be self-directed learners, helping them pinpoint obstacles and devise personalised strategies to overcome them. Ultimately, Jack wants students — be they hobbyists, enthusiasts or professionals — to find what they are looking for, and then discover something new. This mirrors his own approach to music making.

As a guitar teacher: Jack’s lessons include topics such as lead and rhythm playing, technique, improvisation, music theory, and aural development. Jack can work with any contemporary genre or style to meet the needs of the student and has particular expertise in improvisation, jazz, blues, and composition. Jack has years of experience preparing students for examinations and auditions for tertiary music institutions. He can also include digital music production in guitar lessons for those interested in recording, producing and composing with a computer alongside their guitar. 

As a music production teacher: Jack has a high degree of experience producing electronica, beats, and EDM styles, as well as executing sound design, mixing, and mastering. His lessons address both the technical and artistic aspects of computer music making through in-lesson practical applications such as beat-making, sampling, sound synthesis/design, composition, arranging, vocal production, mixing and mastering or any areas of interest students might want to explore. Jack encourages students to learn through their own creative practice, and can help beginners and experienced music producers alike to deepen their understanding of digital music production, cultivate and refine their creative process and workflow, realise their ideas, and make new music. Jack works with and teaches Ableton Live, but can tailor lessons to any DAW students are already familiar with. He can also interweave his practice as a guitar teacher and include general music theory and / or guitar playing in lessons.

Angus Killick

Piano Teacher

Angus is a highly sought-after educator and provides a premium quality musical education centred on mastery of the piano. After majoring in piano through the Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Melbourne, and with a total 17 years of musical training, he has perfected the art of transferring a rounded musical education and a love of all music to his pupils.

Yemo Wang

Guitar Teacher

Yemo Wang is an up-and-coming guitarist based in Melbourne. Specialized in jazz & improvised music, he draws from an array of contemporary artists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Fred Hersch, Ted Greene, Ben Monder, Jim Hall etc., in expressing and communicating his aesthetics with a unique instrumental voice.

As a music student, Yemo participated in multiple recording projects at Monash University, and worked alongside artists including Ingrid Jensen, John Hollenbeck, Kristin Berardi . Yemo plays regularly in a duo named “KyMo” with trombonist Kyle Chenoweth; and a trio named “Treehouse III” with drummer Alby Rolfe and bassist Jack Smythe. He was also one of the finalists in the 2022 Allan Zavod Performers’ Award. In early 2023, Yemo was also invited to play alongside a trio led by renowned saxophonist, composer and educator Angela Davis.

Yemo specializes in acoustic guitar lessons, electric guitar lessons, and bass guitar lessons. As a music teacher, Yemo is passionate about encouraging students to form healthy and sustainable practice habits. Music theory and sight-reading are also given tremendous attention in his teaching style.

Adam Davidson

Piano Teacher

Adam Davidson is a Melbourne based piano and keyboard player hailing from the A.C.T. Adam has been playing music since early childhood starting with classical violin before finishing 8th Grade AMEB  on Viola. In 2015 Adam started pursuing jazz piano including studying at ANU as part of the Advanced Jazz H-Course program, where he won the prize for best ensemble. Adam Studies also include Jazz Performance at Monash University. In his time learning piano he has studied under prominent Australian pianists such as Hugh Barrett and Steve Sedergreen.

Adam has played in various different ensembles and outfits including leading his own trio and playing keyboards for Melbourne rock band “Just the Sallys”. His influences are a diverse and varied including players and artists such as Brad Mehldau, Radiohead, Tigran Hamasyan and The Bad Plus. Adam loves teaching piano students of all ages and abilities. He focuses on a skills based approach to teaching with an emphasis on providing students with the tools and knowledge to create, play and enjoy the music that brings them pleasure both during and outside lessons.

Samuel Ke

Violin Teacher

Samuel Ke is an enthusiastic and passionate violin teacher who is comfortable with teaching students of all levels and ages. Samuel holds an Honours degree at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, studying under Fintan Murphy whilst being supported by the Corinna D’Hage Mayer String Scholarship. He has been an active member of many ensembles and music groups, including the Melbourne University Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne University String Ensemble, and various other chamber groups. An experienced teacher, Samuel has had many years of teaching including in private one-on-one settings, group classes, and settings within music schools/classroom settings. As a lifelong learner himself Samuel is understanding of the joys and challenges of learning the violin, and is patient and committed to the journey the student must take.

Samuel is proficient in Chinese and English and can teach in either language.

Jenna Stamp

Vocalist and singing Teacher

With over 16 years of performing experience and wealth of vocal knowledge. Jenna is a sought-after vocal coach, who has an engaging personality and encouraging spirit. She offers a thorough knowledge of voice mechanics, breathing and phrasing and her approach is performance focused with the aim to build students technical skill and confidence. Jenna believes in the importance of story telling, musicality, rhythm and freedom of vocal expression.

Jenna has taken extensive private study in jazz attending a workshop with jazz legend Chick Corea in Massachusetts, and with Australian jazz performer Michelle Nicole. Her classical training includes extensive training with Kate Sadler, Beverly Peart and workshops with Jo Estill, Founder of the Estill Voice method. She has studied Jazz and performance at Monash University and  has also completed a diploma in Music Tuition at MWT.

Jenna performs regularly on the jazz scene with her group Jenna and the Band Stripped Bass. She is always looking for ways to extend her practice with new contexts and collaborators including spoken word/ music performance of Léa Godard’s work, Women Versus Nature, for boutique French/ Australian publishing house EMUE, performing guest vocals with rock bands such as EVOLETAH and Katie Underwood and fronting popular original indie band Monté in Adelaide from 1996- 2003. Jenna is an in demand singing teacher and vocal coach.

Nitida Atkinson

Singing Teacher

Nitida is a melbourne based vocalist, composer and teacher. She graduated from of the Victorian College Of The Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Music. During her time at the VCA she studied under leading Australian musicians; Michelle Nicolle, Pip Grummet and Gian Slater. In 2015 Nitida undertook a mentorship in New Orleans learning from legendary members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

With over 10 years experience in the music industry, Nitida is a well equipped teacher for all ages and levels. She has performed both nationally and internationally as a professional singer, backing vocalist, composer, guitarist, recording artist, singing teacher, choir conductor and band leader.

Nitida is a busy working musician, playing regularly in many projects spanning genres Pop, Jazz, Folk, Soul, Hip hop, etc.

Nitida is passionate about making the enjoyment and pleasure that singing brings available to all people by breaking down the barriers that often stop people from doing so.

Jock Pryse Jones

Singing Teacher

Jock Pryse Jones is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts. Jock is a lovely person and is passionate about making singing a natural and fun activity for everyone. Jock’s lessons focus on bringing out your natural voice and building your comfort with singing step by step in a comfortable creative way.

With a background from Folk, pop, to Blues and Jazz and beyond Jock also uses production software in his lessons. He supports students whether their goal is to build skills for performance or to simply reconnect with their voice and make singing a part of their life.

Aussie Richardson

Drum Teacher

Aussie brings over a fifteen years of playing experience. His studies have included the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne University. He specialise in Rock, Pop, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Latin styles of music. Aussie is a member of many high profile bands in Melbourne.

Aussie has excellent people skills and lessons are always fun, laughter can always be heard from Aussie’s studio at the academy. Lessons are catered to the individual's interests, and involve a range of hand technique, reading and groove-work. Aussie’s focus is on getting a student playing along with the music they love as soon as possible.

Alex Roper

DRUM TEACHER

Alex been playing drums for 15 years and has a bachelor of music (majoring in drum kit) from the Victorian College of the Arts. She has been in bands across many genres and is an active performer in the live music scene in Melbourne.

 Alex's passion is for performing and sharing the valuable information she has received over her years of training, with others.

To Alex, what makes an excellent drummer is the ability to maintain a steady tempo, being able to play a strong and fluent groove and having the ability to listen to people when playing in a group. Her teaching aims to provide students with a solid and broad basis to develop these and any specific skills a student wishes to learn, while creating an encouraging environment to learn in.

Her lessons cover material anywhere from technique, music reading, to playing rock beats and jazz solos. Alex is also passionate about encouraging all women and girls who are interested in learning the drums, to do so.

Olivia Mirrington

Singing Teacher

Liv (She/Her) has a passion for the power of music as a whole, with singing as a way to express and create. She has studied a Bachelor of Popular Music at Monash University, which combined performance with music production and songwriting. She approaches the voice with curiosity and care, and seeks to nurture each voice as its own.

Olivia is passionate about teaching you to apply the Estill Voice framework to your practice. This framework is famous for its flexibility, not molding the voice to one set of aesthetics, as it “applies its figures to everyday speaking, elite performance, and the treatment of injured voices”. Liv uses a range of tools to help you explore your own voice, such as movement integrated voice work, free improvisation and storytelling techniques. 

Rama Parwata

Drum Teacher

Rama Parwata is an in-demand drummer of over a decades experience behind the drum kit as a performer and an educator.

Rama has been involved in many different and diverse musical projects including Afro-Manding band Afro-Occidental, New-Orleans inspired outfit Copperhead Brass Band, and most recently internationally acclaimed metal outfit Whitehorse, and many more. He is also heavily involved with Melbourne’s experimental improvised music scene having collaborated with prolific artists such as Sean Baxter, Adam Simmons, Tim Pledger and Stephen Magnusson.

Rama is graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Contemporary Music, in Jazz and Improvisation. Whilst at the VCA, he studied under the likes of Graham Morgan, Ren Walters, Rob Vincs and more. 

Ben Leahy

Guitar Teacher

Ben is a multi-skilled guitar teacher who has a special interest in country style finger-picking and blues guitar. Ben is a regular on the Melbourne gig circuit and has played festivals, toured interstate and performed with professional ensembles. Ben holds a Bachelor of Music, majoring in composition and guitar performance.

Ben is a patient and encouraging teacher who enjoys tailoring lesson plans to ensure that each student gets to be the musician they want to be. Ben is available for guitar and bass guitar lessons. His goal is to arm his students with the fundamental skills of guitar and musicianship, such that any kind of music will approachable and accessible.

Maryanne Dihayco

Vocalist and singing teacher

Maryanne Smart is a contemporary vocalist, educator and choir director with a degree in Music from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). She is the composer and director of Taos, a nine piece contemporary vocal ensemble. Their debut recording 'Free Fall' has been hailed "An Extraordinary all vocal album".

Maryanne is a qualified and professional vocal coach. She is well versed in a range of contemporary styles with a focus on confidence, creativity and developing technical ability.

Levi Dowsett

Music Production and Recording Teacher

At age 28 Levi Dowsett has already performed at some of Australia's biggest venues including The Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Melbourne's iconic St Kilda Festival and has received critical acclaim from industry greats including Simon Raymond (Bella Union, UK) and Sebastian Chase (MGM) and Julian Mendelsohn. Levi has performed solo and in groups weekly for the past ten years throughout Melbourne's late night music scene and released on some of Australia's premier independent labels. 

Only speeding up Levi is currently producing and remixing under the name Friends In Common while also being one half of the Australian Art Pop duo Kings and Commoners. The emerging act has seen great success in the past year and already having music performed at the 5th IMC World Music Forum in Brisbane and at Woodford Folk Festival in collaboration with Deep Blue Orchestra and has an Ep scheduled for release .

Levi has developed a sound and style of his own combined of his influences of Jazz, Pop, Electronic Music, Art Rock, Folk, Minimalism and Music Concréte. Levi blends these influences to create unique Artistic Pop Music. Growing up performing Folk, Rock and Blues Levi has always valued the power of Music that has something to say.

Making the transition to the studio after a chance early encounter with Ableton Live Levi developed a love for the manipulation of sound through new and old techniques. Embracing tape machines and vintage recording equipment along with cutting edge digital techniques Levi is constantly using contrast to create new exciting music.

Levi is currently based in Melbourne, Australia and is teaching Music Technology, Production, Audio Engineering and Sound design for film, Tv and Video games at Richmond Music Academy. Levi holds a Bachelor of Applied Music and a Master of Fine Arts.

Joshua Miles

Head of Early Childhood Programs

Joshua is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, with a Bachelors of Early Childhood Education. Currently Josh works as a teacher and team leader at Dame Nellie Melba Kindergarten, Richmond. Joshua began playing music from a very early age. He gained a lifelong passion for music which continues to define his teaching philosophy.

As an educator, Joshua recognises the benefits children gain from an inclusive musical program. In partnership with Richmond Music Academy, Joshua is in charge of developing and supervising our early years music program for schools, kindergarten and instrumental lessons. Using his experience as a teacher and musician Joshua provides guidance and support to Richmond Music Academy's early years music lessons and holiday workshops. 

Sonny Igusti

Electric and upright bass teacher

Sonny Igusti is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Music Performance. He has also completed an Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music Performance at NMIT.

 During his Time at The VCA and NMIT, Sonny has studied under; David Jones, Andrea Keller, Christopher Hale, Craig Newman, Alex Pertout, Anita Hustas & Frank Di Sario, among others. He currently works as a session bassist in Contemporary and Jazz music settings around Australia.

Lessons with Sonny will ensure your time is spent efficiently with tailored lessons focusing on what you want to learn. All levels of students are welcome to study areas such as: Music theory, Technique, Aural Training, Sight Reading, Chart writing & Composition, whatever it is you’re interested in.
Sonny can give you the guidance you need to progress as a musician while making sure to retain what you love about music and what truly inspires you.

Huw Charles-Walsh

Drum Teacher

Huw is a drummer, singer and educator and a graduate in contemporary music at the Victorian College of the Arts. He is active in the Melbourne music scene, which has involved writing and performing his own music based off improvisation and sonic textures on the drums.

He is also a member of the contemporary vocal group Invenio, which has performed at such venues as the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Arts Centre Melbourne and collaborated with prominent Australian artists, including Lior and Barney Mcall. 

Huw’s lessons are always fun and energetic. His teaching focuses on providing for his students tools to develop a rounded knowledge of rhythm and drumming technique, the ability to make musical decisions, and the confidence to find their own unique voice on the drums. 

Sanghoon Lee

Learning Coordinator

With a background in classical, jazz and composition Sanghoon is in a prime position to assist every student with the individual needs required to make the best choices for their own learning journey. We are privileged to have Sanghoon’s’ help.

Sanghoon has studied with international artists such as Dan Robertson and has studied composition at the Melbourne conservatory of music.

Michael Avery

Director

Michael Avery, is a graduate of Melbourne University and The Victorian College of the arts where he majored in classical guitar. He has a broad interest in music from contemporary to classical. He has played in a variety of bands including Melbourne's own 'World's End Press'. As a teacher, he specialises in classical guitar.

Creating a great atmosphere for students and teachers and a supportive environment for teaching and learning music has been the primary goal for the academy from day one. Many years later, it is heartwarming to see how the school has flourished and a strong community has developed around this core principles of the school.

As an Alexander Technique teacher Michael is very active in the performing arts world. He has lectured and run workshops at the The Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University, Ballarat University and 16th Street Actors studio. As an Alexander Technique teacher, he is known for his refined observation skills, clarity of communication and unique, simple approach.