Barbara currently maintains a teaching practice which offers tuition in both voice and piano. Barbara teaches at a number of schools but also from her home studio. Tuition fees are set according to the standard recommended by the Music Teacher’s Association of Queensland.
Barbara’s home studio: a comfortable space in which to sing or play the piano.
Voice
Barbara has extensive experience teaching singers of all ages, both male and female, in the classical, musical theatre and contemporary commercial music (CCM) genres. Her early teaching practice was in the tertiary sector at the University of Queensland and QUT where she gave individual lessons to undergraduate and graduate diploma classical voice students. In more recent years, the majority of Barbara’s practice has revolved around teaching the young female and adolescent female changing voice and she has expanded her teaching to include music theatre and popular styles.
Barbara’s teaching concentrates on helping each of her students develop a strong technique through careful choice of suitable repertoire, taking into consideration each student’s age, strengths, interests and goals with an emphasis on healthy vocal development.
Barbara is happy to prepare students for auditions and can provide coaching in operatic and recital repertoire. Barbara has extensive experience preparing students for AMEB Singing and Singing for Leisure and Trinity College singing exams. She also teaches aural skills in preparation for AMEB, TCL and ABRSM exams.
Piano
Barbara currently teaches piano from her private home studio. She has considerable experience in teaching beginner piano students and taught at St Joseph’s Primary School, Kangaroo Point where she had over thirty students and ACGS (Churchie). Barbara uses a variety of resources, individually tailored to ensure her students are given a firm grounding in playing technique as well as theoretical and interpretive skills. She has prepared students for AMEB piano exams, both traditional and leisure syllabuses (up to and including Grade 7) and Trinity College London.
Yamaha upright piano in Barbara’s home studio
Student Achievements
Barbara’s students have successfully completed AMEB and TCL singing and piano exams and have achieved excellent results. Barbara also has over eight year’s experience in preparing students for the Grade 12 Music Extension subject. A number of her students have gone on to study at tertiary institutions both here in Australia and overseas.
Barbara’s students have achieved excellent results in competitions including the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition, the Queensland Performing Arts Competition (Music Theatre section) and the Queensland Vocal Competition and have been the recipients of prizes including the Margaret Nickson Prize and Singing Scholarships from Beenleigh Quota Eisteddfod.