Dan Biederman
Piano, Synths & Vintage Keyboards

I was born in Boston, MA (USA) in 1977. My love for music developed early with the discovery of my parents' record collection. Bob Dylan and Beethoven in the same old red chest, the gates of heaven.

I studied piano, guitar and music theory from a very young age. I went to college at Arizona State University's Herberger School of Music where I earned my B.A. in Fine Arts, Music. My experiences at university were extremely diverse. ASU didn't let any subjects slide. Though I was in the Jazz school, I still had a progressive Classical piano instructor for 50 minutes a week drilling me on Bach and Beethoven; it was fantastic (though I may not have thought so at the time.) Along with piano lessons came history, ear training, LOTS OF THEORY, combos and consorts, all music, all the time. It was wonderfully overwhelming.

My most recent projects include a remix for Sneaky Sound System of their single '16' done with my production partner Pow!! (Jonny Powell), a studio session with Reggae/Roots act Black Bird Hum, as well as a studio session for Modular artists The Canyons (unreleased).

Jill Desiree Marsono
Voice

Jill, a Sydney native, graduated in 2004 from Berklee College of Music, Boston MA. B.A. in Arts, Vocal Performance. She was privileged to have worked with many leading musicians and professors in the field of contemporary music, to name a few, Donna McElroy, Gabrielle Goodman, Brenda Russell, and Greg Phillanganes.

Currently, Jill works with various bands as a singer/musician for recording projects as well as live performances. Jill teaches vocal technique, music theory, basic keyboard and song writing skills.

Matt Glowacki
Guitar

Matt has completed his BMus (Performance) at the Wesley Institute. He has since been teaching and performing around the Sydney area for a number of years. Matt's love for music is the way that it brings people together; from playing with other musicians, to the relationship between audience and performer. He is adamant that music, no matter what level or standard, should be an expression of people enjoying, listening and participating in the music.

One of Matt's great joys is playing with his band, Storm in a Teacup. They have been gigging around the local Sydney scene. Storm in a Teacup is a gypsy folk rock trio made up of Matt (guitar/vocals), Asher (percussion) and Camilla (violin). Drawing on influences ranging from world folk to classical; they have developed a unique sound which is both energetic and beautiful.

Tim Sladden
Guitar

Growing up on the mid north coast, Tim developed an early love of music through listening to his parents record collection. Tim's talents on the guitar turned him to studying at Southern Cross University where he refined his skills, and also began singing and writing.

Tim has released a self-titled e.p. which features 4 original compositions. He's accomplished in Jazz, Blues, Rock and Fusion guitar as well as being a singer/songwriter. As a teacher he can help develop songwriting skills as well as singing/guitar playing co-ordination for his students. Tim looks forward to having a sustained and professional career in the music industry.

Mariana Batkhan
Voice, Piano & Guitar

At age 5 Mariana was studying ballet. During break time she asked permission from the accompanist to improvise on the piano. After she finished playing, the accompanist offered Mariana an invitation to study piano at the Saint-Petersburg State Music School for gifted and talented children. Unknown to Mariana, the accompanist was the head of the piano department. 9 years later Mariana graduated from the State Music School with honours. She has since graduated from the Saint-Petersburg State Musical College and State University of Art and Culture with honours where she earned her Bachelor of Music Teaching and Bachelor of Music Theatre Directing and Performing.

Mariana plays piano, guitar, accordion, recorda and Russian folk instruments domra and balalaika. From 1989 she has taught piano, guitar and voice. She has conducted and accompanied choirs, and has extensive performing, directing and composing experience for live theatre. She has performed as a singer and an actress in plays such as Medea, Snow Queen, Misfortune from an Affectionate Heart, Tartuffe, Maria and her Sisters, Snow White, Thumbelina, etc.

Most recently Mariana accompanied the St Scholastica's College Choir at Angel Place. Mariana is currently working on her first solo Piano and Voice album, due out in mid-2010.

Pia Wong
Piano

Pia began studying the piano at the age of 8 in Hong Kong. After moving to Canada, she continued having piano examinations and finished the Royal Conservatory of Music certification at the age of 18. Following her certification, Pia immediately began her teaching career. Throughout her years of studying, Pia attended music competitions, festivals, and piano recitals. She's worked as a piano accompanist in a choir as well as participating as a singer. With more than 10 years of experience, Pia is a professional and seasoned teacher. She is patient and detail-oriented with students, working with both adults and children. Along with a solid foundation in teaching, Pia is also knowledgeable in music theory and history.

Pia is also our multilingual teacher; she conducts her lessons in English as well as various Chinese dialects, based on the student's preference.

Michelle Kam
Piano

Michelle convinced her parents to let her start piano lessons at the young age of 4. Sha has since completed the 8 grades of AMEB piano and 5 grades of AMEB musicianship. Michelle has also received her Bachelor of Entertainment with a Performance and Vocal major at Sydney's JMC Academy. During her first two years of University, she took up private and group piano teaching to primary and high school aged children. Michelle plans to expand her bill to the recording and management side of the industry in the coming years; she also plans to release an album that will rock this world.

David Wooltorton
Guitar

I've been playing guitar for almost 10 years now and teaching for over 3 year. The main styles I teach are Rock, Blues, Jazz, Pop and Classical. I've recently completed a Bachelor of Music, and I am starting a Masters in Guitar as of this year. I play in various bands, playing mostly rock and a bit of jazz as well. My goal as a teacher is to help guitarists become well rounded musicians by focusing on certain techniques to develop these areas. These areas include Picking, Chords, Scales, Reading, Rhythm and Aural. Learning an extensive repertoire as a guitarist is also essential.

Paul Rothenbuhler
Guitar

I was born on the Central Coast of NSW. A few years ago I moved to the inner west of Sydney where I did a BA of Music (Performance) at Wesley Institute in Drummoyne. Currently, my main project is an original acoustic duo, 'Almost a Trio.' We've recently put out an original EP. I teach most styles as I try to be as versatile as possible; however I generally focus on Pop, Jazz and Rock. My professional goals are to build a my teaching base as well as maintain a healthy gigging career with Almost a Trio.

Asher Graieg
Bass Guitar and Cajon/Percussion

I am originally from a small city called Geraldton in Western Australia. I moved to Sydney in 2007 and began studying my Bachelor of Music at Wesley Institute. At first my main focus was bass and nothing else, but the allure of various other world instruments drew me in, giving me a wide appreciation of musical styles and techniques.

I have been playing Cajon in a folk rock band, Storm In A Teacup since mid 2007, gigging frequently since January of 2009. We released our debut album in July 2009 and are planning a second for 2010. Other projects include bass for Jonny Robinson's 'Run' album from 2008, and his Rosewreat EP recorded 2009. I also very much enjoy composition for various formats such as dance, drama and film. You can listen to a sample of my work at soundcloud page.

This year I am undergoing my Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) with Wesley Institute. Above all I love to see people enjoying music and getting as excited about it as I do.