Our Teachers
Jara Stinson, MMTA
Violin | Viola
With a reputation as a highly sought after violin teacher, Jara is a passionate and dedicated educator with an unwavering commitment to fostering the musical growth and success of each student. With a wealth of experience and extensive research into the best teaching methods, Jara creates a nurturing environment that ensures students start their musical journey with a solid technical foundation.
As an Accredited Member of the NSW Music Teachers' Association, Jara is confirmed to be an effective and competent teacher, setting her apart from those who may be excellent musicians but lack the pedagogical knowledge required to pass on their skills. Students learning with Jara can be confident they are receiving credible music training.
Jara brings unique and innovative teaching approaches to the table, introducing students to a wide range of musical genres. By tailoring lessons to each individual, Jara emphasises personalised learning, allowing students to explore their musical interests while honing their skills.
Under Jara's guidance, students have achieved remarkable success in school ensembles and AMEB examinations, consistently earning an average grade of honours. While some teachers may rush students through levels with mediocre results, Jara prioritises developing solid technique and a comprehensive musical understanding. This approach builds confidence and motivation in her students and allows them to flourish.
Thanks to a diverse musical background, Jara is well equipped to helping students achieve their goals. Jara began studying violin following traditional classical methods and progressed through the AMEB examination system before moving on to further education at university where she studied a Bachelor of Music Performance and has completed studies in violin and viola pedagogy through Northwestern University, following methods of renowned pedagogues such as Mimi Zweig and Paul Rolland. She is well versed in traditional and contemporary violin techniques and has explored various genres such as traditional Irish folk music, bluegrass, jazz, and rock among others.
As an inspiring violin teacher, Jara nurtures students' musical potential while cultivating a lifelong love for the instrument. Her dedication, extensive knowledge, and diverse background makes her an ideal mentor for violinists of all ages.
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James Slack-Smith
Piano, Irish Flute & Whistle, Bodhrán, Irish Guitar Accompaniment
James’ journey in music began at a young age, where he first discovered a love for the piano. Over the years, he honed his craft in jazz, classical, contemporary, and Celtic traditional genres, especially of the Irish tradition. As a musician, he has performed in orchestras, jazz bands, and traditional folk bands such as The Last Aurochs, — who’s album was received with anticipation among the folk community — arís, who made their debut at the National Celtic Festival in 2023, and Irish language band, Na Peacaigh.
A maestro of learning, James has an extraordinary reputation in the music community for being a multi-instrumentalist; his growing collection outside of the piano ranging from the Irish flute to the banjo, from the fiddle to the harp, from the guitar to the trumpet, and many more. James’ versatility makes him a highly respected and sought after musician, earning him the Folk Tradition Award in 2019 - presented by Illawarra Folk Festival, along with performances at festivals & venues around the country.
After repeating the steps many times, James is intimately familiar with the processes behind successfully and efficiently learning a new instrument. Having learned many instruments to performance level within a matter of months (and sometimes mere weeks!), his own musical journey provides him with a unique insight into his students’ experience, something that many teachers can struggle with due to the many years since they began learning themselves. James’ passion for music is reflected in his dedication to nurturing the talents of his students, making him a highly admired teacher.
James offers lessons for piano, the Irish flute, tin whistle, bodhrán, and DADGAD guitar accompaniment for Irish traditional music.