Julie Chong

HOME LESSONS – North Shore
STUDIO – Neutral Bay

Gain a solid music foundation through an educational piano training that is masked in fun and enjoyment. Whether learning for leisure, or working towards Australian or London College exam work, amateur playing or a profession in music, what you learn now should contribute to a smooth transition to advanced level work.

Through learning correct finger technique, music reading skills, theory, writing music and playing by ear, from the start you will have a comprehensive piano training covered.

Julie is a specialist piano teacher formally trained in ‘traditional’, European, American and Japanese music teaching methods. She was a piano student at the Sydney Conservatorium for 14 years learning from concert pianists – from primary school through to four years of tertiary studies in the specialist Certificate of Teaching course and two years of the Bachelor of Music. Julie has more than 15 years of studio teaching experience including tutoring at the Central Coast Conservatorium, and at a private school.

She believes that as well as enjoying music by putting on a CD or going to a concert, that both children and adults should be encouraged to produce their own music, and to develop practical music-making skills. Basic elements of the Alexander technique (ergonomics) taught to help develop good playing technique and prevent muscle strain.

Lessons can be for hobby/leisure or more goal oriented with piano grade exams (similar to learning to play either social or competition tennis). You need to have a piano at home and take time out to do regular practice (at least 4 times a week) to make steady progress. Frequent practice means you become skilled more quickly and learn a greater volume of pieces. It takes about 2 to 4 years to do foundation work and so a bit of determination is needed in these developmental years. Imperatives for both children and adult learners include encouragement towards developing a practice routine, self-application and goal setting. From about year 5, more advanced work begins.

Time spent learning and practicing is ‘time out’ when you can leave behind all other aspects of your day’s work and get taken away by the music!