Introducing our Instrumental Music Program Teachers

Our Instrumental Music Program is thriving at the moment. We have very experienced instrumental teachers who have developed their own teaching programs. Below is information on each of our instrumental teachers.

There are currently limited spots available but any students who wish to learn should complete an enrolment form here and forward it to the office, and they will be put onto a waiting list for when a spot becomes free.

Leo Kahans (Course Co-ordinator) – Cello & Ukulele

Mr. Kahans has been a musician in the Melbourne music community for over 20 years. Starting off as a cellist, he quickly became adapt at many instruments as he performed with music projects from the 1990’s until now, spanning many genres of music including jazz, classical, country, world, rock and pop. He is passionate about creativity and always has a creative project on the go! He loves inspiring students, and in the last few years he has focused on teaching, being the Classroom Music Teacher, as well as the cello and ukulele teacher at Syndal South. He also teaches cello at Melbourne Grammar School. He shares his enthusiasm for learning music with his students, offering a dynamic, personalised and structured instrumental learning program.

Paul Varone - Guitar

Paul is a guitar teacher who is passionate about quality instrumental music education. He has taught in both primary and secondary schools for over 25 years and keeps lessons fun and engaging, whilst tailoring them to individual student needs. He has also played in various function bands around Melbourne.

Guitar Lessons are available at school for students in Gr 2 to 6 and conducted in smaller groups of 3 to 4 students. Some of his programs and strategies include.

Modern guitar program (teaching current songs and riffs)
Written his own structured guitar program. (Booklets)
Written his own songs/ebooks on the iPad (Ebooks to be used on the iPad for students in Year 5-6)
Digital books are easy to follow and help students improve their strumming and chord changes.
Rockschool acoustic guitar (A. M. E. B) exams available (Students who take 30 minute shared lessons)
Program availability for students in Year 2 – 6
High quality guitars with pick ups and Roland guitar amp provided in instrumental concerts.

Rosemary McCarthy - Piano

“Life’s better with music” is Rosemary’s motto and for students wishing to play the piano. She’s been instilling an understanding and love of music for over 40 years.

Rosemary recommends the piano as a great instrument to start on, as the layout of the keyboard means it doesn’t take long at all to know the names of the notes. If the student embraces the commitment of learning an instrument – regular daily practice – Rosemary finds that most students will grow to love playing and improving their music as part of an enriched lifestyle.

Rosemary offers group (2 or 3 students per group) and private lessons at SSPS, where she works on Fridays. She recommends that students begin at age 7, when they are competent readers.

Fiona Mackay - Violin and Voice

Fiona began her musical journey with the violin at the age of 7 and went on to also study the viola, voice and composition, completing a bachelor of music at Monash University in 2001. She has since added the cello and the celtic harp into her instrumental family and continues to teach, perform and write music across a wide variety of genres under the umbrella of her business ‘Stringybach Music’ (www.stringybachmusic.com.au).

Current performance groups include The Red Cedar String Quartet, Fifyfofum jazz, Eat Ya Greens Aussie/Irish bushband & original music duo Entwined.