The Arts at Oakleigh Grammar
CALYSTA MORGAN
Acting Head of Arts
In Term 2 this year, we will welcome a new instrumental space, two new instrumental staff, and some new instrumental ensembles!
In the meantime, students in Year 6 have been trying out instruments in Music class. Many students have been excited to just have the opportunity to have a go at something they haven’t had access to previously. Better yet, some have discovered they might actually have a talent for particular instruments, and are looking for ways to play them again! The Enrollment form for lessons is available by contacting cmorgan@oakleighgrammar.vic.edu.au. See below for both Ensemble information, and also contact details if you’d like to discuss your child taking up lessons next term.
Scott Barton (Drums)
Email: scottbarton12@gmail.com Phone: 0418 330 407
Scott is an experienced and passionate musician and music educator. He began teaching in 2007, before completing a Bachelor of Music Performance at Box Hill Institute in 2012. Scott performs regularly in both corporate and creative music scenes. He has played in many prestigious venues across Australia. Currently, with over 60 students, Scott specializes in rock, Latin, pop and jazz. His friendly and relaxed approach coupled with his experience, ensures that his lessons are fresh and engaging.
Aurora Darby (Voice)
Email: auroradarby@gmail.com
Phone: 0423 308 153
Aurora has over eight years of music teaching experience, including instruments other than voice. Her teaching method is shaped from integrating aspects of the Kodaly approach with classical technique, to give students a well-balanced foundation in developing their own unique sound and whole person. Aurora has a diverse background of training and experience encompassing jazz, contemporary including pop and rock, South Indian Carnatic Classical, Brazilian folk, African chants, and improvising in various styles. She also has a background in theatre, and currently teaches Iyengar Yoga.
Regina Grace (Piano, Keyboard)
Email: regina25@bigpond.net.au
Phone: 0419 373 420
After many years of classical piano study in Seoul, South Korea, she has undergone further extensive piano study and training with Dr Ivan Homes, Dr E. Knoop and Concert Masters of Symphony Orchestras in the Australian Guild of Music Education. Regina is qualified with a Bachelor of Music and a Licentiate of Music. Her career in music education allows her to share her great love and passion for the art of music. She is enthusiastic about enriching children’s lives through music. Her main goal in teaching is to foster an environment where students learn important skills through their enjoyment of music.
Daniel Napolitano (Guitar, Bass, Ukulele)
Email: danielnapolitano@outlook.com
Phone: 0423 424 422
Daniel has been playing and learning the guitar from a very young age. He completed his Bachelor of Applied Music Performance in 2008 and Diploma of Education in 2010. He has been teaching since 2006 in various primary and secondary schools and music shops around the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. Daniel also performs on a regular basis in both original and corporate bands in various venues around Victoria. Daniel’s passion and dedication to music is evident in his guitar lessons, where he aims to inspire and help his students find the magic in music.
Jenny Occleshaw (Strings)
Email: jennyoccleshaw@hotmail.com
Phone: 0425 725 670
Jenny is an enthusiastic and resourceful strings teacher with 17+ years of teaching experience and a vast repertoire, dedicated to sharing a passion for all things musical. She is committed to helping students develop their talents while fostering their passion for music and learning. With Kodaly, Suzuki and Colour Strings experience and training, Jenny is able to teach Violin and Viola to individuals, small groups of 2 to 4, and larger ensemble groups. Jenny is also an accomplished textile artist and teacher, with 10 books published on subjects such as knitting and crocheting.
Marianne Wright (ABC Program, Woodwind, Keyboard, Guitar)
Email: mwrightsmusic@gmail.com
Phone: 0409 125 464
Marianne teaches keyboard, woodwind, guitar and The ABC program. The ABC Program is an introduction to music covering woodwind, keyboard, percussion, guitar and basic theory. Marianne has been teaching for over 25 years and she is a woodwind specialist, with extensive experience of all the instruments that she teaches. Marianne is a passionate teacher who loves to encourage and inspire her students to discover their love of music.
Ensemble | Rehearsals | Conductor | Suitable for |
JS Choir | Mon1:35-2:05 Music room | Aurora Darbyauroradarby@gmail.com | JS students doing voice/piano lessons; any other interested students. |
TRACY SARROFF
Art and Studio Art Teacher
VCE Top Arts excursion
Students undertaking VCE Studio Arts recently spent a day visiting a range of different galleries in the city. The main focus of their visit was to attend Top Arts at the National Gallery of Victoria. The Top Arts exhibition is a showcase of outstanding student work from VCE Art and VCE Studio Arts in 2018. Our students also attended an accompanying lecture and a very informative folio-viewing session. This rich experience provided an insight into how students explore and manifest creative ideas, a range of working processes, and the methods of organisation required in the VCE course.
Later in the day, students viewed an ambitious solo exhibition by Australian multi-media artist Darren Sylvester at the NGVA. They were also introduced to two other galleries unbeknown to them: Michael Buxton Contemporary, a private art collection donated to the Victorian College of the Arts by philanthropist Michael Buxton; and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), a public art gallery at the forefront of presenting current artistic practice. Both galleries are free to the public and provide an invaluable service to the arts in Australia with rotating exhibitions, talks, events and lectures. Subscription to news and events can be sought from their websites.
All students declared that the day was very helpful to their studies. They found the experiences informative and inspirational. Visiting galleries is an important component of arts-related studies. Most are free of charge and with weekend open hours. I encourage all of our students to visit from time to time.
Please follow the links to view the programs the NGV is offering this school holidays:
https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/category/kids/