Jazz piano lessons at JWA
Here at Jazz Workshop Australia you can take individual lessons on a wide range of jazz instruments. All our teachers are leading professionals: world - class educators and performers. Lessons are available in thirty minute and one hour slots.
Students of all ages and standards are welcome. Jazz Workshop caters to students who want to learn to play jazz or who are looking for an alternative to traditional exam-based teaching methods.
Piano lessons are available from Monday to Thursday.
Piano and keyboard
American-born and raised, John Harkins, who moved to Sydney in 1994, is one of the most sought after jazz pianists in Australia today. John majored in classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City and has worked with tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, singer Mark Murphy, and trumpeter Warren Vache (with whom he recorded Easy Going on the Concord Jazz label in 1987) to name a few.
In recent years John has been the Musical Director and pianist for the annual Australian tours of US singer Barbara Morrison. He is featured on her biggest selling CD, Live Down Under.
John was a soloist on Australian CD recordings of Blaine Whittaker's Hard Bop Cafe featuring James Morrison and The Andrew Speight Quartet, the 1999 ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album of the Year.
He also played and arranged on singer Danielle Gaha's debut CD titled You Don't Know Me on Sony/BMG label. He has been praised by jazzandbeyond.com.au for his arrangements and playing on singer Karlie Bruce's recent CD release on the LaBrava label.
In mid 2005, John was the pianist for the legendary Cleo Laine on her sold-out 3 week tour of Australia. The final concert was documented by the TV programme 60 Minutes.
In 2005, John released his self-titled CD. It highlights his vocal and arranging talents in addition to his swinging piano playing. Through extensive radio play, this CD has set a milestone in John's career, by establishing him as one of Australia's best singer/ piano players.
John has many successful years of experience as a teacher from primary school through tertiary levels. Many of Sydney's leading young professional pianists studied under John during his time teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium of music.
Greg Burgett, BMus (Jazz)
Greg Burgett is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he majored in Jazz Performance. He also undertook additional studies in Jazz Pedagogy. He has built a reputation as one of Sydney's premier keyboardists and is one of the city's most in - demand jazz piano teachers.
He has worked extensively in the Sydney jazz and theatre scene as well as playing for corporate clients across all styles of music, from covers bands and jazz combo's, through to Trio's, duo's and solo work in Hotels and private functions. He is currently recording, writing and gigging with his band, The Scarletts, an acoustic rock/pop band.
Jazz Improvisation
All of the teachers at the Jazz Workshop can give lessons in jazz improvisation to any student, regardless of their instrument. Saul Richardson specialises in teaching improvisation to beginners and young players. Other JWA teachers, such as Jeremy Borthwick, Gai Bryant and James Ryan love to teach very advanced concepts.
So, whatever instrument you or your child play, one of our teachers can give lessons in jazz improvisation. Lessons can be either ongoing, occasional, or a short series. Call or email for details