Leonie Riordan, Director and Owner of Red Note Music
Leonie completed a Bachelor of Music at The University of Melbourne, graduating with majors in Piano, Harpsichord and Music Theory. She completed her Advanced Certificate with ABRSM and her Licentiate with Trinity College, London on Harpsichord during her university years. Leonie graduated from The University of Melbourne with a Master of Music Studies in 2013, with an emphasis on classroom music education and conducting.
Leonie completed a Graduate Diploma in Education at The University of Melbourne majoring in Music and Drama and spent over 10 years teaching classroom music and drama in private schools across Melbourne.
Teaching piano has been a major focus in Leonie’s life for over 24 years. She has taught privately at her home studio, in student’s houses, at schools and in larger studios during this time. She has successfully guided students through all levels of exams, from Preparatory to Diploma level, including VCE Units 3 & 4. She has experience in many exam syllabuses, including AMEB, ANZCA and ABRSM. Leonie has experience in teaching students from as young as 4 years to adult beginners and those adults returning to piano after a break.
Music / Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Music (University of Melbourne)
Master of Music Studies (University of Melbourne)
Graduate Diploma in Education (University of Melbourne)
LTCL in Performance (Trinity College, London)
Dip ABRSM in Performance
Kodaly Teacher Accreditation (Lvls 1 – 3 Primary)
Orff Schulwerk Accreditation (Lvls 1 – 3)
Cert IV (Business)
Licensed Kinder Beat Teacher
Sarah Duncan, Piano Teacher
Sarah completed her Bachelor of Music with a Major in Performance/Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education at The Queensland University of Technology in 2011.
She also completed Grade 7 Singing through St. Cecilia School of Music and enjoyed singing in various choirs throughout her schooling and during her tertiary studies. She have performed at several private functions including weddings, themed events and ceremonies in both QLD & NSW.
Sarah has been teaching piano for the last 10 years with students ages ranging from 5 years old to adults. She believes in the importance of tailoring music education to the needs of each student and she enjoys teaching in an environment that supports this outlook.
Availability
Sarah currently teaches on Tuesday and Thursday.
Music / Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Music, Performance (Queensland University of Technology)
Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary)
Licensed Kinder Beat Teacher
Julian Smith-Gard, Piano Teacher
Julian is an emerging composer, pianist, and arranger who is in his 3rd year of his Bachelor of Music (Interactive Composition) at the Victorian College of the Arts. While starting with classical piano in his early music education, he has since shifted towards more contemporary styles such as jazz and theatre music.
He actively participates in the Melbourne theatre scene, where he contributes to various musical theatre productions as part of bands and showcases his original compositions. His works have made their debut at the Melbourne Fringe Festival (2022, 2023) as well as at several local venues.
He is committed to fostering student agency, emphasising the use of students’ interests to drive the development of their technique and craft in engaging ways.
Availability
Julian currently teaches on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
Music / Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Music, Interactive Composition
Tom Walters, Piano Teacher
Tom is an established musician and singer/songwriter from the UK, and has completed a Bachelor of Music (Songwriting) at BIMM Bristol. He has played the piano for over 20 years, achieving a grade 8 with distinction, and he is currently studying for his ARSM Diploma.
As a singer/songwriter, Tom has emerged as an up and coming indie/folk artist, writing, recording and producing all of his own work. His music has received over 40 million streams online, and he has performed at a number of venues across the UK.
Tom has taught piano for several years to both children and adults. He tailors his lessons to the interests of each individual student, incorporating elements of improvisation and creativity into his teaching in a way which is both fun and engaging.
Availability
Tom currently teaches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdays.
Music / Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Music (Hons) (BIMM Bristol)
Hana Lavers, Piano Teacher
Hana is a Japanese – Australian composer and pianist, who has studied classical piano from 4 years old. Through playing, she found her passion for composition and proceeded to study Music Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She specialised in harmonic analysis and chordal theory, 19th and 20th century music history, and studied under Carl Vine for her final year.
She blends music theory with strong technical skills to create a well-rounded musical education. Passionate about piano, she loves nurturing others’ passion for it and aims to inspire a similar love for piano in her students.
Availability
Hana currently teaches on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Music / Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Music (University of Sydney)
Jason Lambrou, Piano Teacher
Jason is a pianist who has roots in the classical world and a passion for jazz. He completed his degree from Monash University’s Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music majoring in Jazz. In his final year of study, Jason was awarded the David Bornstein Jazz prize for the best performance.
He brings his classical knowledge and love for late-romantic harmony and the jazz idiom to his writing and playing. Jason continues to perform regularly in Melbourne; own compositions and ones from emerging artists.
Jason’s teaching focus is not only in the application of theory into practice but also about discovering new ideas/techniques through experimentation and exploration with many genres of music.
Availability
Jason currently teaches on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
Music / Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Music (Monash University)
Olivia Sweeney, Piano Teacher
Olivia is an enthusiastic teacher with a passion for music. She spent the last few years as an individual piano teacher teaching children in a studio and in their homes respectively. In addition to her piano studies, she has a strong interest in music theory; completing her Grade 7 Music Theory exam.
Olivia completed her Bachelor of Music in Interactive Composition at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne in 2020. Her studies allowed her to explore a variety of musical styles and genres.
As a piano teacher, Olivia ensures that her lessons are tailored to the individual student and their interests.
Availability
Olivia currently teaches on Friday.
Music / Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor of Music, Interactive Composition