Meet our enthusiastic teachers…
Kathleen Maloney – Director/Singing Teacher
Since the age of six, Kathleen has trained in the arts, completing lessons in classical singing, dancing, speech and drama and musical instruments. She participated in eisteddfods, talent quests and AMEB exams.
Kathleen attended Queensland University of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Music. She has continued her studies and is currently completing her masters in vocal pedagogy at the conservatorium of music. Kathleen is a seasoned performer having completed multiple national tours as a lead vocalist.
Kathleen currently is co-owner and principle Vocal Coach at Downtown Creative Studios where she provides Private Vocal Training to students of all ages. Her focus is on singing for performance and students strengthen their technique with an aim to perform confidently in front of an audience.
Samantha Perren – Director/Guitar Teacher
From a young age Samantha has embraced and loved learning music. She started with piano at age 7 but when she discovered the guitar at age 12 she formed an unbreakable bond with the instrument.
She continued on to study at Queensland University of Technology where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music. Samantha now performs professionally around Australia as a solo artist and writes and records her own original music.
Samantha is currently co owner and principal guitar teacher at Downtown Creative Studios. She is passionate about teaching guitar and strives to tailor each lesson to the needs of each individual student. She believes that while technical ability is important, it is equally important to teach the student to love and appreciate music and their instrument as a whole.
Grace Cockburn – Singing/Piano Teacher
Vocalist and pianist Grace Cockburn has been performing as a professional musician for over a decade. She has travelled throughout Western Europe with her jazz duo and toured Japan as a featured soloist in an A Capella group. She has performed at prestigious venues such as the Angel Place City Recital Hall, NIDA Playhouse and the Sydney Opera House.
Recent graduate of the Bachelor of music program at the Jazz Music Institute, Grace has been teaching private piano and voice for several years and enjoys the enriching experience that teaching music brings.
Chantelle Smith – Singing Teacher
Chantelle Smith is a vibrant contemporary singer, who loves teaching and performing. She has participated in multiple choirs, musicals, talent quests and completed AMEB exams. Chantelle has also completed a Bachelor of Music Performance at Jazz Music Institute in Brisbane.
Chantelle strives to help her students achieve their personal and professional goals in a fun and energetic learning environment. She teaches with a nurturing attitude and ensuring students develop effective vocal techniques. Chantelle teaches a range of styles and works with all ages and levels.
Tyler Cooney – Guitar Teacher
Tyler Cooney is a guitarist currently performing and teaching around Brisbane after graduating from the Bachelor of Jazz Performance (with honours) at the Jazz Music Institute in Bowen Hills in 2016 . He has been interested and been involved in music from a young age, and has been exposed to a wide variety of music from his parents and friends.
Recently he has started focusing heavily on honing his skills as a guitarist and teacher and has started frequently gigging around Brisbane. He has a keen ear for music and has a love for sharing his knowledge and ideas and discussing all things musical.
Benjamin Shannon – Drum Teacher
Benjamin Shannon is making a serious indent into the Australian music scene as a percussionist, educator and composer. Hailing from Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, Ben began lessons under the guidance of Luke Williams (Dead Letter Circus) at age 10. Throughout his early teenage years Ben began performing in a multitude of styles with local groups; Sunshine Brass and South Brisbane Federal Brass Band were the impetus for Ben’s early musical development and spearheaded his progression.
Ben played in various original projects from a young age, varying from indie rock, classical, funk and brass band, all through to heavy metal. Ben has studied with world renowned percussionists Dave Elitch, (The Mars Volta, Justin Timberlake, The 1975) Jeff Friedl, (A Perfect Circle, Puscifer) Tim Firth, Andrew Gander, Simon Barker, John Parker and Paul Hudson just to name a few.
Ben’s approach to music is a holistic process that is clearly representative of everything he stands for. He wishes to share his musical aspirations with the world throughout his journey.
Sam Castan – Drum Teacher
Sam has gained many of the skills and drive he has for music through his own gigging life. Playing with incredible local and international talents such as Graeme Norris, Nick Hempton, Dale Barlow and Wil Sargisson helped fuel and inspire his passion.
Erin Harrington – Ukulele Teacher
Surrounded by jazz musicians at young age, Erin has been exploring creativity through music her whole life. Violin and Singing lessons led to a quirky Singer Songwriter and after completion of a Bachelor of Popular Music, Erin formed a 4 piece band, “Miss Elm“.
After working at Ukulele Specialist Store, Morris Brothers Music; Erin grew a love of Ukuleles for their simplicity, transportable size, powerful sound and variety.Erin quickly became the expert on all things Ukulele and developed her own unique sound. She loves helping others find their creativity through Ukulele and sparking joy in anyone who will listen.
Helen Todd – Violin Teacher
Music has been a big part of Helen’s life from an early age. She began playing violin and viola when she was in primary school. She worked hard and sat her AMEB exams.
In 2009 Helen was accepted to study music at Queensland University of Technology. She has since completed all her grading and loves to play, write and teach music.
Helen believes that music should be enjoyed and makes sure that her lessons are tailored to the needs of the individual student.
Yuko Morrimoto – Piano Teacher
Yuko began learning Piano when she was 5 years old. She never skipped lessons, even through rain and snow. In hear early adulthood she joined a rock band where she wrote music, recorded and performed late into the night.
Yuko went on to study classical piano at Ueno Gakuen Music University in Japan. She graduated as a top student in fifth position as a soloist, which resulted in her playing in front of the Japanese Emperor. Since then she has performed jazz and pop in various piano bars, hotels and resorts. She composed music or TV commercials, films and exhibitions in Paris.
She then moved to Australia where she met her husband Larry, a fellow musician who performs worship music. Yuko is able to perform alongside him frequently.
Yuko has been teaching music throughout her career and loves sharing her knowledge and passion with her students. She feels so blessed to be able to teach her wonderful students every day!