Our Tutors

Sam Ainslie (BMus – London Centre of Contemporary Music) is a guitarist, arranger, producer and educator with extensive experience across the UK and Australia. After completing his degree in Jazz Improvisation, Sam performed at many of London’s most prestigious venues and held chairs in West End and UK touring productions including Curtains, Saturday Night Fever, Hair, Legally Blonde and Avenue Q. 

Since relocating to Melbourne in 2021, he has held chairs in productions of Fun Home, 9 to 5 and Sister Act, and has also deputised on Elvis, Chicago and, most recently, Beetlejuice.Beyond musical theatre, Sam has performed with numerous bands, appearing at major venues such as the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and touring regional Victoria with Casey Donovan. In 2024, Sam launched MLB Entertainment, an entertainment company where he serves as musical director and band manager.

With more than 16 years of teaching experience, Sam has worked with students from beginners to tertiary-level musicians, guided by his belief that “we don’t work music, we play music.” His lessons blend technical development with curiosity and creativity, encouraging students to approach their craft with both joy and discipline.

Mia Beattie is a versatile and passionate performer and educator, joining our team as the vocal teacher for students in Prep to Year 2 and director of our Primary Choirs at GBH. Originally from Perth and now based in Melbourne, Mia graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor of Music Theatre in 2023, following a Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2020.

Mia brings a wealth of stage experience, having performed in productions such as Sweeney Todd, Cats, Footloose, and Assassins, as well as making her professional debut with the Western Australian Opera. Alongside her performance work, she’s been active in the Australian musical theatre community, including workshopping new musicals and performing in artist showcases. With a warm, encouraging approach and a true love of storytelling through song, Mia is thrilled to inspire confidence, creativity, and joy in our youngest singers.

Timothy Chilman (BMusPerf) is a guitarist, composer and educator with nearly three decades of experience in the music industry. His performance career has included touring and recording throughout Australia and New Zealand, with airplay on Triple J, Triple M and international independent stations. Endorsed by PRS Guitars, Tim is known for his expressive playing and approachable style. 

His teaching draws on years of professional practice, focusing on technique, creativity and the discipline of performance. Tim helps students build confidence, resilience and artistry, inspiring them to explore their unique musical identity.

Sean Donehue (AIM – High Distinction) is a vocalist, songwriter and musical director with an impressive career across stage, studio and screen. He has worked with artists such as Anastacia, Em Rusciano and Bachelor Girl and performed at major national events including the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup and Australian Open. His songwriting has been recognised internationally through The American Song Contest and Unsigned Only, and his original musical BEARDEDwill feature in Theatre Works’ 2025 season. 

Sean’s lessons blend professional insight with creativity, care and industry expertise, helping students connect passion to performance while developing confidence and individuality as vocalists.

Charlie Ford (BMus – Monash University) is a drummer, percussionist and educator whose teaching is informed by a decade of professional performance and recording experience. He studied under renowned Australian drummers including Dave Beck and Tony Floyd and has toured nationally with artists such as Allday, Josh Cashman and Steve Wade. Charlie has recorded with legendary producer Doug Brady (John Farnham) and continues to work across genres from jazz to pop. 

His teaching focuses on musicality, rhythm and technique, tailored to each student’s goals. Charlie’s approachable and adaptable style encourages every learner to grow in confidence, creativity and passion for music.

Frances Gerraty (BMus, AMusA) is an experienced and passionate music teacher. She has specialised in primary school instrumental tuition in piano and violin for over 10 years. Frances is a graduate of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music in classical piano, and played violin in the Melbourne Conservatorium orchestra. She has taught piano and violin at various prestigious schools throughout Melbourne, and she directs and conducts school string ensembles.

Outside of teaching Frances enjoys singing in a community choir, and playing the violin with the Squawkestra orchestra in regular concerts. A recent performance highlight of 2024 was playing with the orchestra in collaboration with Circus Oz for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Frances is a warm, fun and patient teacher. She is passionate about inspiring young students to play music, tailoring repertoire and styles to each student’s unique aspirations, and bringing the joy of music into their lives.

David Hanner (BMusHons – Melbourne Conservatorium of Music) is a violinist and violist with extensive teaching and performance experience. A member of the Melbourne Baroque Orchestra and Emdojore String Quartet, he has performed across Australia and internationally. David has taught at schools including Wesley College and Shelford Girls Grammar and is passionate about nurturing students at all levels, from beginners to advanced performers. 

His teaching blends traditional and contemporary methods, focusing on technique, expression and musical confidence. David encourages students to explore both classical and Jewish repertoire, fostering a love of performance and lifelong musicianship.

Daina Jowsey (GradCertMusic) is a vocalist and performer with a rich career across jazz, pop and cabaret. Beginning her professional journey at 16, Daina has performed at major Australian jazz festivals including Monsalvat and Wangaratta and venues such as The Paris Cat and Bennett’s Lane. She has appeared on Good Morning Australia and performed with The Australian Pops Orchestra and the Victoria Police Showband. Daina’s extensive experience spans genres from light opera to R&B. 

As an educator, she brings deep musical knowledge and enthusiasm to her lessons, helping students develop strong technique, confidence and expressive performance skills.

Lok Hang Keung (Jackson) is a clarinet and piano teacher with extensive experience as both a performer and educator. He studied clarinet with Paul Champion, Principal Clarinet of Orchestra Victoria, and Robert Schubert, former Clarinet Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. He holds a Master of Music (Performance Teaching) from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Clarinet, and the Bachelor of Music in Education (Honours) (Contemporary Music and Performance Pedagogy Programme) from the Education University of Hong Kong, majoring in Piano. He also achieved a Distinction in ATCL Music Performance.

Mr. Keung has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Heidelberg Wind Ensemble and the Hong Kong Metropolitan Pop Orchestra. As an educator, he has successfully prepared students for AMEB and ABRSM examinations, with many achieving Distinctions. He has also guided students to earn music scholarships at various prestigious schools in Melbourne. Dedicated to nurturing each student’s musical growth, he strives to make learning both inspiring and rewarding.

Gideon Preiss is a Melbourne-based pianist, composer, producer, engineer and educator whose distinctive musical voice can be heard across a wide range of recordings. A founding member of the beloved indie band Husky, Gideon has co-written and co-produced five critically acclaimed albums, including one nominated for an ARIA Award. His latest work, The Lonely Hotelier, marks a return to his roots as a solo pianist—an introspective collection that delves into themes of longing, nostalgia and quiet melancholy. Blending richness with simplicity, the album invites listeners into a dreamlike, bittersweet inner world.

Gideon’s compositions extend beyond the studio to film and television. He has scored documentaries and short films, and is currently working on the upcoming feature film Song of Songs, set for release in 2026. In addition to his solo and cinematic work, Gideon is a founding member of The Bashevis Singers and Di Farborgene Khalyastre ("The Hidden Group"), a multidisciplinary collective weaving Yiddish poetry, music, and art into bold, contemporary forms. He is also a core member of the underground cult band Jazz Party.

Joshua Moshe (BMusHons – Monash University & University of Melbourne) is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and educator. Originally from South Africa, he grew up in New Zealand before relocating to Melbourne to study music. In 2023 he was awarded Best Jazz Album at the Music Victoria Awards whilst also receiving a nomination for 'Best Musician in Victoria' and 'The Australian Music Prize'. Joshua’s teaching focuses on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, with a special interest in jazz and Jewish music. 

As Co-curricular Music Coordinator (Primary), he is focussed on expanding ensemble opportunities, inspiring young musicians, and growing the school instrumental programme.

Jess Newman is an award-winning composer, lyricist and pianist. Recently, his song "It Starts Again" was released by Broadway Records on the orchestral album 16 Stories. Later this year, his new musical Scarlet will have its US premiere. In 2023, he composed operatic works for Opera Lucca Festival in Italy and songs for a special event in Israel, attended by President Isaac Herzog. He was a winner of the 2022 Mike Walsh Fellowship, the 2018 Dame-Joan Sutherland Award, and the 2017 New York City Center Encores Stephen Sondheim songwriting competition. He has also written songs for the play Senser, the original musical Einstein: Master of the Universe, selected by The Age as one of the year's "highlights in theater”, the song cycle All the Time and the animated musical Out of the Woods. His work has been performed at Radio City Music Hall, 54 Below, Green Room 42 and Two River Theatre. Jess is the resident pianist at Entecôte and is a passionate educator in composition and piano, having taught at NIDA and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. 

https://www.jess-newman.com/

Phoebe Sena is vocalist, composer/producer and recording artist with over 12 years of teaching experience in both Sydney and Melbourne. Phoebe’s musical expertise is built on a foundation of jazz studies in both piano and singing. She achieved first place in HSC (VCE) Music 1 and graduated from the Australian Institute of Music (SYD) in 2016. Phoebe specialises in RNB, Soul, Jazz, Music Theatre and Contemporary genres.

Phoebe regularly performs her original music in some of Melbourne's most established venues. She has headlined and performed at various festivals including the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. As a recording artist, Phoebe’s original music has received radio airplay on Triple J Unearthed and critical acclaim from international and local music blogs, magazines, radio and play listing. She fronts her own band featuring Melbourne's finest instrumentalists including Mike Pensini (Tina Arena) and Darryn Farugia (The Cat Empire).

Phoebe has worked with some of Australia's finest composers and has performed on official recordings composed for ABC TV series including, 'Pulse' (2017). She has worked at many prestigious Melbourne schools and specialises in choral directing/conducting. She has also performed with various ensembles at state level competitions, eisteddfods at Monash University and Kodaly Festivals.