Meet the Teachers

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.

Dr Sam Price (Drums)

Sam is a drummer, bandleader and academic who grew up in the UK and has been based in Melbourne for almost 25 years. He holds a PhD in Music from the University of Melbourne, where his research explored drumming and electro-acoustic improvisation,. In addition to teaching at secondary level in both the UK and Australia, he has also taught at tertiary level as a sessional lecturer and assessor at the VCA and Victoria University.

As a performer, Sam tours and records with Elly McK & The Unbelievers, an Americana and alt-country band, and in the improvising trio Fortuna. His playing moves between jazz, improvised music and songwriter-led projects, and he is equally at home in a quiet room or a loud one.

Sam enjoys working with students of all backgrounds and abilities. He also mentors participants through Arts Access Victoria, and believes that learning an instrument should be rewarding from the first lesson, whatever the destination. He lives locally in Altona.

Ray Smith (Guitar/Bass) 

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)

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) 

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.

Kristen Perry (Woodwind)

Kristen grew up in Melbourne and had a burning wish to play the flute as a child. Her wish came true and she started playing at ten, she soon became fascinated with the saxophone and her teacher, a well known multi wood-wind player in the Channel 9 band Fred Hosking taught her flute, saxophone and clarinet for 10 years, classical and jazz. She went on to study Jazz and Popular music at NMIT and then a BA in Music Industry at RMIT.

Music is very much a major part of Kristen’s life! She has followed her heart and passion with music and that has lead her to have many amazing creative experiences. She has worked with many incredible musicians, artists and dancers over the years across many genres, from classical, to jazz to folk/rock, playing in numerous bands and events. One favourite was a collaboration with Australian Jazz Bass player Howard Cairns, Dummer Ronny Ferella and Artist Honor Bradbeer where we improvised together- inspired by the movements, colour and creation Honor (our extraordinary artist) literally threw herself across the canvas. At the same time she was reacting on the canvas with her pastels to our musings and interactions with our instruments!

Kristen currently plays in the Dust Revival Band, The Melba Big Band and works with John St Peeters OAM each year on his giant extravaganzas where we perform at venues such as Hamer Hall, and The Palais Theatre in St Kilda. Other recent projects and collaborations include Canary Wharf- The Rock Opera which was premiered at Canary Wharf in London last year. Kristen has also co-curated, and tour managed bands such as The Jon Spenser Blues Explosion, The 5,6,7,8’s and Cat Power tours in Taiwan. She has learned that even the superstars sometimes get nervous before performing and her calm, friendly manner was able to help them onto stage!!

Kristen is a passionate teacher and loves giving students the opportunity to discover the rich benefits of learning flute, saxophone and clarinet and the world of music! She has been teaching flute, saxophone and clarinet for 30 years and loves helping her students develop skills to enable them to enjoy their instrument and discover the many joys of playing music with your friends.

Kristen is also a passionate teaching artist at The Crashendo Music Project at Laverton P-12 where she works with students that wouldn’t normally get the chance to learn an instrument or play in an orchestra. She is excited to be working with the talented students and staff at MSJ!!