piano lessons at JWA
Piano and keyboard lessons are available in thirty minute and one hour slots Monday to Thursday. Lessons cost $40/half hour or $78/hour paid in advance.
Students of all ages and standards are welcome. Jazz Workshop caters particularly to students who want to learn to play jazz or who are looking for an alternative to traditional exam-based teaching methods. We have two piano teachers to choose from:
Gavin Ahearn
“a beautiful, lyrical pianist… eking out the deeply affecting & truly extraordinary” -Australian Stage.
Gavin Ahearn is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator and producer. He had classical piano training from the between the ages of seven until 17, when he started discovering jazz. After a period of intensive lessons with jazz icon Mike Nock, Gavin went on to attend the jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His education continued in New York with lessons with a number of notable pianists including legendary teacher Barry Harris.
In his life as a professional musician he has performed widely in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. Gavin led his own piano trio for 7 years which included bassist Chris Riggenbach and drummer Christian Coleman. This trio recorded an album in New York, The Flight of The Arctic Tern, which also featured New York saxophonist Mike Dopazo and all original compositions. This album was distributed in Japan and online.
Some other highlights of his time overseas include a concert series in Norway with trumpeter Gary Hoffman and performances in Slovakia with legendary drummer Dodo Sosoka. Gavin returned to Australia in 2008 after spending 10 years overseas. He has recently released a new album which features Dale Barlow (horns), Christian Coleman (drums) and Matt Gruebner on bass. The album is available at http://music.gavinahearn.com.
Gavin is a wonderful piano teacher comfortable teaching everyone from young beginners to advanced adults. He is happy to help prepare students for HSC and school performances.
Greg Burgett, BMus (Jazz)
Greg Burgett is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he majored in Jazz Performance. He also undertook additional studies in Jazz Pedagogy. He has built a reputation as one of Sydney’s premier keyboardists and is one of the city’s most in – demand jazz piano teachers.
He has worked extensively in the Sydney jazz and theatre scene as well as playing for corporate clients across all styles of music, from covers bands and jazz combo’s, through to Trio’s, duo’s and solo work in Hotels and private functions. He is currently recording, writing and gigging with his band, The Scarletts, an acoustic rock/pop band.
Greg is a serious and methodical teacher with a logical, effective approach. He is happiest teaching teens and adults at all levels.
Nick Southcott, B.Mus
Nick Southcott is a well respected-pianist and very experienced teacher who has had a long involvement with the successful jazz orogram at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. He is also a terrific accompanist. Nick is at home teaching jazz and classical repertoire to students of all ages and levels.
He teaches at JWA on Thursdays.
Jazz Improvisation
All of the teachers at the Jazz Workshop can give lessons in jazz improvisation to any student, regardless of their instrument. Saul Richardson specialises in teaching improvisation to beginners and young players. Other JWA teachers, such as Jeremy Borthwick, Gai Bryant and James Ryan love to teach very advanced concepts.
So, whatever instrument you or your child play, one of our teachers can give lessons in jazz improvisation. Lessons can be either ongoing, occasional, or a short series. Call or email for details