We are delighted to welcome some tremendous new teachers to JWA this term. We’ve been very busy with the start of the year and working behind the scenes, but now we can take a moment to formally welcome our four new faculty members.
- Rhys Moore (trombone)
- Sam Leong (saxophone and clarinet)
- Eric Tsai (guitar)
- Oliver Smith (piano)
Rhys Moore
Trombonist Rhys Moore has recently won acclaim as an exciting rising young star on the Australian jazz scene. He is also an energetic and detailed teacher who brings a wonderful sense of focus and purpose to his lessons. Rhys is a very motivating character!
He is a winner of the James Morrison Scholarship, Australia’s foremost award for young jazz players. Back in high school, Rhys was even a featured soloist at the NSW Schools Spectacular. He is a busy freelance trombonist, leads his own groups, and co-leads the Carger-Moore Big Band.
Rhys teaches jazz and classical music and is able to prepare students for exams if that’s what they really want to do and can assist with school and band music.
Sam Leong
Another emerging star of Australian Jazz, Samuel Leong has joined the sax and clarinet department at JWA. He is a busy freelance musician as well as leading his own groups, the Sam Leong Quintet and Sam Leong Quartet. He is also a member of the internationally acclaimed Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (formerly ANJO). Best of all, he is a graduate of Jazz Workshop Australia.
Sam has a deep knowledge of all aspects of jazz skills and theory as well as in saxophone technique. He teaches saxophone to beginner, intermediate levels, and advanced levels. Asked abut his teaching, Sam said that “I strive to prepare students of all ages for any situation, equipping them with skills needed to play music at a higher level with a systematic and practical approach to the jazz genre”.
Sam is a friendly, approachable, and effective teacher who is enthusiastic and dynamic with high-level skills and knowledge to match his passion for education.
Oliver Smith
Oliver Smith is a jazz pianist and composer recognised for his unique sound and approach to jazz piano. His compositions draw from a variety of musical influences including jazz, pop, and classical music, and explore various rhythmic and harmonic possibilities. Oliver plays at venues around Sydney leading his own trio and as a “side” member other groups.
Oliver is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music(Hons) in jazz piano. He is a past winner of the University of Sydney/Conservatorium Chapple Bremner Scholarship. Oliver was also a finalist for the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship in 2023. Oliver was also a graduate of Jazz Workshop Australia.
Oliver’s teaching approach emphasises the importance of a strong technical foundation, combined with understanding of theory, as a facilitator or creative freedom.
Eric Tsai
Young guitar master Eric Tsai has joined us to fill in while Michelle Shih recovers from injury. Hopefully, we can convince Eric to stay on and take on students of his own at JWA too. Eric is an unfairly skilful jazz and contemporary guitarist who, like our other intake of new younger teachers, is an emerging virtuoso creating a buzz in the local scene. He leads his own group and is also a busy freelancer in Sydney bands. Also, Eric is a graduate of Jazz Workshop Australia.
Eric brings a deep knowledge of guitar and jazz improvisation that embraces diverse styles from old school, through mainstream, to contemporary and avant garde. He is known as a patient, kind teacher whose skills and focus help his students make meaningful progress.
Farwell Cailey Soon
At the end of 2025 we also farewelled trombone teacher Cailey Soon who has moved on. So goodbye Cailey and thanks for the great teaching. But for now, welcome to JWA Rhys, Sam, Oliver, and Eric.
Want lessons?
If you’d like lessons with Rhys, Sam, Oliver, or Eric, contact us to request a trial lesson.
