Piano lessons at JWA
JWA’s piano faculty includes three experienced teachers: Gavin Ahearn, Roshan Kumarage, and Oliver Smith. Together, they offer jazz piano lessons to students ranging from complete beginners through to advanced study.
JWA welcomes students of all ages and levels. The program is particularly suited to those interested in learning jazz and developing improvisation, with a structured approach that builds technique, listening, and musical understanding. Many students also take part in jazz combos, where they apply these skills in a small ensemble setting. Classical piano and exam preparation are also available where appropriate.
Lessons are held at the JWA studio in St Leonards, with convenient access to public transport and parking.
Very young children are asked to begin with a trial lesson so we can assess readiness before enrolling in ongoing lessons.
Enquire or arrange a trial lessonPiano lessons with Gavin Ahearn (M.Mus, B.Mus.)
Gavin Ahearn is a pianist, composer, arranger, and producer with more than 25 years of performing experience across jazz and contemporary music. Australian Stage has described him as “a beautiful, lyrical pianist… eking out the deeply affecting and truly extraordinary.”
Gavin has performed and recorded with a wide range of leading Australian artists, and led his own US-based ensemble for seven years, recording his debut album Flight of the Arctic Tern in New York — which received distribution in the US and Japan. He has performed at venues across Europe, the US, and South East Asia. Alongside his performance work, Gavin composes for film and television, and is a faculty member at both the Australian International Conservatorium and Jazz Workshop Australia.
As a teacher, Gavin works with students at every level — from complete beginners to advanced adults returning to the piano or moving into jazz for the first time. His teaching is patient and student-centred, with a particular strength in helping classically trained pianists develop improvisation skills and jazz fluency. He is also experienced in preparing students for HSC and school performances.
Roshan Kumarage (B.Mus)
A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Roshan is a pianist, composer, and educator with a reputation as both a thoughtful teacher and a compelling performer. He is a founding member of Delay 45, a contemporary jazz quartet that has performed at some of Australia’s most prestigious venues, including the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Writing in The Weekend Australian, Eric Myers described him as “brilliant… rhapsodic.”
Roshan teaches both jazz and classical piano playing. He brings a clear, methodical approach to his jazz piano coaching with lessons that are based strongly upon the needs of each individual student. Roshan also offers exam preparation for those who choose that path. He accepts students of every level, ages 8 and over.
Oliver Smith (B.Mus)
Oliver Smith is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator. His playing and writing draw on a broad range of influences encompassing jazz, classical, and contemporary music. He has a particular interest in harmonic and rhythmic exploration. Oliver performs regularly around Sydney leading his own trio and as a member of a number of other ensembles.
Oliver holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Jazz Piano from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he was awarded the University of Sydney/Conservatorium Chapple Bremner Scholarship. In 2023 he was a finalist for the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship. He is also an alumnus of Jazz Workshop Australia.
Oliver’s teaching approach emphasises the importance of a strong technical foundation, combined with understanding of theory, as a facilitator of creative freedom.
Jazz improvisation coaching
Private and group jazz improvisation coaching is available to anybody at JWA. Gavin Ahearn, and many of the other teachers, can give one-on-one coaching to you or your child, regardless of your instrument. It is about concepts, skills, and techniques; if you/your child can already play an instrument well, or have a good instrumental teacher, then this kind of coaching is ideal. You don’t learn how to play your instrument in the impro coaching, you learn how to play jazz. The group lessons are in bands of mixed instruments, called jazz combos. Find out more about our jazz combos. Lessons can be either ongoing, occasional, or a short series.
Ready to get started?
Get in touch to discuss availability and booking a lesson. We’ll ask for some details about your musical experience, goals, and availability so that we can recommend the best teacher for you.