Tutors

We are excited to have assembled such a well-qualified, experienced and passionate team of tutors. Please read their credentials carefully and choose the tutor that you feel best suits your daughter’s needs.

BRASS

Paul Rasmussen B.M.E., Grad.Dip.Mus.(perf.) Syd.Con.

Paul is an experienced musician who has performed internationally as well as with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera Ballet Orchestra and with jazz musicians the calibre of James Morrison. He worked for several years as Musical Director for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines before returning to Sydney to take up the position as Head of Performance at Cranbrook School in the Eastern Suburbs. Aside from teaching at Danebank, Paul works at Kambala School where he runs the lower brass studio and conducts ensembles and instrumental classes. Paul is proficient on all of the brass instruments and is comfortable in teaching many styles including jazz, classical, Latin, pop and rock. He also has significant experience in preparing students for AMEB examinations.

Instruments offered are:

  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Baritone
  • Horn
  • Tuba
  • Recorder

PERCUSSION, GUITAR, & PIANO

Gene White

Gene White is an experienced, versatile musician with over 30 years of performing experience, and 20 years of teaching experience. Gene currently plays Drum Kit in a 6-piece jazz ensemble, Tuned Percussion in a Latin-influenced progressive/rock band, Guitar in a Jazz Trio and Piano in a Pop band.

These projects have taken him on multiple national and interstate tours with a number of renowned international and local bands. In his lessons Gene emphasises on having fun in a productive learning environment. Each student’s lesson will be tailored to their individual needs and goals. Gene is able to thoroughly prepare students for AMEB, CPM & Trinity exams or is happy to teach purely for enjoyment and ensemble skills.

Instruments offered are:

  • Classical Guitar
  • Steel String Acoustic Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Ukulele
  • Drum Kit
  • Tuned Percussion (Xylophone, Glockenspiel & Marimba)
  • Auxiliary Percussion
  • Piano

PIANO

Danni Wu  MMus BEd LMusA AMusA

Danni completed her Master of Music Studies (Piano Pedagogy) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she demonstrated comprehensive knowledge in piano teaching methods along with a thorough understanding of the exam syllabuses. She has been playing the piano for more than 20 years and is a fully accredited Piano & Theory teacher by the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW.  During her years of studying a Bachelor of Music Education, Danni was successfully awarded the Licentiate Diploma (LMusA) which is seen as the highest award given by the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). Danni is experienced in preparing her students for AMEB exams, the HSC, scholarship auditions and various competitions. She has taught students from preliminary level to HSC Music standard. Danni is an enthusiastic teacher with patience for students, while differentiating the teaching programs according to students’ individual needs. Danni places strong emphasis on building interest, techniques and musicality which aim to open the door of music to students; inviting them in with a gentle yet exciting approach, appropriate for their age. She believes that learning the piano should be a nurtured experience where students not only learn how to play a musical instrument but also develop their creativity, confidence, self-motivation, intelligence and appreciation of music.

STRINGS – CLASSICAL

Sharon Maennl BMus GradDipEd

Sharon is a professional organist and string player. She studied organ and violin at the Conservatorium High School, learning from Norman Johnston and Ms. Tincu. She then completed her Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium. Sharon is currently employed as an organist at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Miranda. She plays the cello in the Sutherland Symphony Orchestra, and in the Endeavour Chamber Orchestra, and is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Music Teaching at Wollongong University. Sharon takes a classical approach to string tuition and is willing to prepare students for exams if they wish.

Instruments offered are:

  • Violin
  • Cello
  • Piano

VOICE – SINGING – SPEECH

Eloise Evans BMus USyd

Eloise Evans is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She is an accomplished opera singer, recitalist, session singer, voice over artist and a highly recommended singing and piano teacher. For fifteen years Eloise has coached talented young singers in both classical and contemporary styles for auditions, concerts and AMEB examinations. Eloise has been awarded prizes in eisteddfods and operatic competitions as well as receiving prestigious grants for operatic studies. Her students have gone on to study professionally and perform in professional musical and opera companies.

WOODWIND

Rachel Thompson BMus AMusA 

Rachel is a recent graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she studied clarinet performance and her studies included a semester exchange at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria. Rachel loves sharing her passion and knowledge of music and works as a clarinet and saxophone tutor at local primary and high schools. Her teaching style is encouraging and focused on the student’s goals. She uses the AMEB system for music exams if the student wishes to do them.

Rachel has been awarded prizes in competitions and scholarships for her clarinet playing and has been a member of numerous orchestras, ensembles and chamber groups. This includes Sydney Youth Orchestra, Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra and Wind Symphony and the NSW Ambulance Concert Band. Rachel also has an interest in musical theatre and has played in a number of local musical productions.

Instruments offered are:

  • Clarinet
  • Alto Saxophone
  • Tenor Saxophone

KINDER MUSIC

The Kinder Music Program offers group sessions for Pre-Kinder and Kindergarten students that focus on singing, movement and instruments. Sessions encourage the development of each student’s sense of pitch, rhythm, beat, tempo and volume. The sessions run for 30mins and are for a group of 4-5 children. Parents opting to apply should complete the online application form, typing K Music in the boxes marked Tutor and Instrument you would like to learn.
PLEASE NOTE: A minimum of 3 children is required for this class to run. It will be held during a lunch time or afterschool, dependent on the tutor’s availability.