Meet the Teachers

Adrian Perger (Brass & Piano)

Adrian started learning the Piano at the age of 7, added Trumpet 2 years later and was gigging regularly with Brisbane blues legend Wiley Reed by the age of 12. He moved to Melbourne after school and gained a Bachelor of Music at the V.C.A in 2001.

He has taught at many Secondary schools since 2011 (currently also at Luther College and Yarra Valley Grammar) developing a teaching style which follows tradition but doesn’t shy away from also learning some songs by ear and learning the building blocks to make up your own pieces, which is all part of truly absorbing the language of music just as any other language is learned.

Adrian has undertaken a multitude of recording, including songs Isaiah Firebrace ‘Spirit’, Dan Sultan ‘Rattlesnake’ and albums by Jazz Party, Husky, DubFX, The Banging Rackettes, Chelsea Wilson and Hue Blanes. Highlights have been guesting with Cyndi Lauper, Hiatus Kaiyote and a 33 show tour of Europe with DubFX.His arsenal also includes singing, songwriting, arranging and other brass instruments. Adrian has produced one album of his original songs so far, under the name ‘Astro & The Ages’. 

Melinda Butel (Drama)

B.A Drama QUT

ASDA  Australian Music Examinations Board

ATCL,  LTCL Trinity College of London

For thirty years Melinda has worked as an acting, performance studies, auditions and as an  examinations tutor. She has worked independently teaching children and adults, for talented and gifted school, Victorian primary and secondary schools, universities and professional theatre companies.

She is a highly respected teacher who brings to the position decades of experience as a professional actor. Melinda has worked as an actor in film, television, radio and theatre. She has enjoyed a successful career working with Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre, La Boite, Malthouse and Sydney Theatre Company. Melinda has also written and toured education programs. She is the recipient of several industry awards.

Melinda Received a B.A in Drama from QUT, won a Queens Trust Scholarship to study at the Oxford School of Drama in Oxford, UK.  She has studied at NIDA and has received her teaching associate and licentiate letters from AMEB and Trinity College, London.

Mel has a play based approach to storytelling and performance and employs positive psychology and wellbeing practices when teaching public speaking and performance practices. Above all Mel hopes to install joy and confidence in her students.

Elizabeth Ambrose (Violin, Viola, Cello)

B Mus, Dip Ed, Middle Years

Elizabeth grew up in Ballarat, Victoria. She began learning the violin at the age of nine. Elizabeth played in the Ballarat Light Opera performances and other local concerts. She studied at The Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne University, completing her Bachelor of Music. Elizabeth played and toured with various groups, including The Chamber Strings of Melbourne, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Australian Pops Orchestra The Conservatorium StringQuartet and the Euchordos String Quartet. Elizabeth taught violin privately during her University years.

In 1990, Elizabeth joined Orchestra Victoria as a permanent member and continued in this position until 2015, playing in many Australian Opera, Victorian Opera and Australian Ballet performances in Melbourne and other capital cities. In 2013, Elizabeth completed a Diploma of Education and today teaches Strings in various schools, as well as privately. She performs occasionally with Newport Strings, Australian Pops Orchestra, the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic as well as in groups for functions and recording sessions.

Taylor Douglas (Drums)

Foundation Studies (VCA), B.Mus (Monash), Grad. Dip. Ed (Sec) (ACU)

Taylor Douglas is a skilled musician and performer, and has spent most of his life devoted to the pursuit of musical excellence.

Hailing from Melbourne Australia, Taylor has flourished providing a solid backbone through drums and percussion to some of the thriving Melbourne music scenes best acts, including with (but by no means limited to): The Soulenikoes, Flynn Effect, Johnny Uppercut, Brooklyn’s Finest and Caution:Thieves.  His adept composition and performance in these bands drew the attention of others, and he soon found himself clocking on as backline for renowned acts such as Emily Williams and the D2 Drumline, which saw him perform on a national televised stage at the Cricket World Cup at the MCG, and as part of the NRL Finals at AAMI Park. 

Also an accomplished and accredited instructional teacher, Taylor has over 15 years teaching experience all across Melbourne and Geelong. Priding himself on building connections, patience and enthusiasm for his discipline, Taylor’s teaching efforts have been rewarded with great rapport with his past and present students, and has seen him coach some all the way to selection for Top Class for High Performance in VCE Music performance (solo) and VCE music performance (group). Taylor’s extensive credentials include a Bachelor of Music (Monash University) and a Graduate Diploma in Music Education from ACU. He has studied under several proficient teachers and drummers including Graham Morgan, Tony Floyd, Dave Beck, Danny Farrugia, Gerry Pantazis, Andy Gander & Gordon Rytmeister. In further pursuit of his passion, Taylor travelled to the USA & Cuba to study with America’s own titans of drumming, Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta), Daniel Glass (The Royal Crown Review), Steve Hass (Patti Austin), Tommy Igoe (Birdland Big Band), Stanton Moore (Galactic), Rodney Barreto (Chucho Valdez) and Ari Hoenig (Punk Bop; Ari Hoenig Trio).

Few players have the deft ability to take you through a dynamic journey through percussion alone, but Taylor is one such artist. From a laid back swing groove through to the chaotic yet rhythmic tumble of an erratic washing machine meeting a thunderstorm, he can run the gauntlet from quietly menacing through to an open assault – and all while looking like a kid on Christmas day opening the shiny new red bike. It is obvious to all who have seen him play that Taylor’s home is behind his kit. 

Ray Smith (Guitar) 

A.Mus.A. In Classical Guitar with A.M.E.B., M.I.M.T. Contemporary Performance with numerous bands Kush , Melbourne , Town Criers , etc . Ray played in improvisation trio Studio 3 , and backing bands for large range of performers John Farnham , Normie Rowe etc . and with Italian musicians Tony Pantano and Joe Paparone Orchestra . 

Ray has worked in recording sessions , played at early Tasmania Wrest Point and Melbourne Casino and played many varying styles of music as a sight reading musician and as a walk-in musician on Guitar and Electric Bass . He is an occasional Arranger and Musical Director and has written arrangements for Melbourne Accordion Orchestra . Ray has been teaching Androis school of music for 40 years as well as Melbourne University and many primary and secondary schools . He is an examiner for Anzca, AMEB, TAFE, colleges, and various Eisteddfods . He has worked as a transcriber and proof reader for Allans/All Music Publishing and Distribution. Ray was a syllabus writer for early VCE guitar ( contemporary ) Aus Music , Anzca and AMEB Contemporary Popular Music . 

Zerafina Zara (Voice/Songwriting)

Zerafina Zara is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and seasoned performer. With a rich and diverse background, she brings her passion for music and teaching to Altona.

 Zerafina’s musical journey has taken her across continents, from the vibrant streets of Hong Kong to the cultural hubs of Singapore, Laos, Thailand, Berlin, and Italy. Her live gigging experience spans a wide range of genres, including Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Rock, and Pop. Notably, she collaborated with members of Paul Kelly and Pete Murray’s band on her debut album. Zerafina’s songwriting skills were honed under the mentorship of Pat Pattison, renowned lyric writing professor from Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Specialist Expertise: As well as having taught voice at TAFEs and university, Zerafina specializes in performance skills. Her reputation extends beyond the classroom, attracting attention from festivals, managers and record labels, leaving an indelible mark on many careers. Her discerning ear and expertise have also led her to judge international a cappella competitions in Singapore. Notably, she has been a regular judge for the AusAca national Australian Acapella competition since its inception.

We are thrilled to welcome Zerafina to our school community, where her passion for music and dedication to nurturing young talent will undoubtedly inspire our students.

Bridget Halloran (Piano) B.Mus.A.Mus.A.Dip.Ed(Sec)

Bridget began learning the piano at the age of eleven in Camperdown, Victoria and knew by the age of fifteen that she wanted to become a piano teacher. In 1994, she obtained herBachelor of Music at Australian Catholic University, Mercy Campus, and went on to complete her Diploma of Education (Secondary). Since 1994, Bridget has been teaching private piano lessons to hundreds of students of all ages, with many students successfully completing exams in piano, as high as Grade 8 AMEB. Bridget has also taught classroom music to primary and secondary students, setting up the music program in numerous schools.Bridget is passionate about music education and empowering students to believe in their abilities and potential to learn new skills in music. She loves teaching people how to read music, and seeing their confidence and enjoyment grow.Bridget has been playing piano in church since the age of twelve, and has accompanied numerous singers at weddings, funerals and special masses. She is currently the conductor of the Altona Community Choir, which also involves accompanying soloists during concerts at local nursing homes, and is the Musical Director for the Encore Theatre group.

Charmain Heaney (Voice)

Charmain Heaney is a multi-instrumentalist with two decades of experience specialising in voice across all genres, including Contemporary, Bel Canto, Jazz, Musical Theatre,Gospel and Classical. She has trained at prestigious institutions such as the Sydney and Newcastle Conservatoriums, Australian Institute of Music, the London Voice StudyCentre, and the International School of Music. Based in Melbourne, Charmain works with students of all levels, teaches in multiple schools, and runs her own private studio in Yarraville. With a unique ability to blend excellent technique with authentic emotion, Charmain helps singers develop both skill and artistry. She is deeply committed to creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where students, whether beginners or seasoned performers, feel empowered to explore and grow. Charmain sees singing as a journey of self-discovery. Through expert guidance and personalised coaching, she helps students build vocal strength and develop the confidence to share their authentic selves through music.Beyond her work as a coach and mentor, Charmain is an accomplished performer. She has taken lent her voice to numerous ceremonies, authored, and executed a children’s music program, written and facilitated vocal workshops, performed in, and has directed choirs, fronted multiple bands, performed in musicals, and toured with an award-winning international marching band. As the former the lead singer for Melbourne band DeepSouth Music, Charmain continues to be an in-demand vocalist for ceremonies and workshops across Melbourne.