Jenna Murphy - Piano Lessons

Jenna Murphy is an accomplished songwriter, musician, performer, and teacher based in Sydney’s Inner-West. She grew up in the midlands of Ireland playing piano and guitar from a young age. Jenna completed an Honors’ Degree in Music from Waterford Institute of Technology in 2008 and Graduated with a distinction in piano performance and composition. Her mentors include the Irish composer's Eric Sweeney and Marion Ingoldsby and the great Irish pianist Finghin Collins.

Jenna ran her own private teaching studio in Ireland where she was a registered teacher of the Royal Irish Academy. Since coming to Australia 5 years ago she has taught for a variety of schools, the most recent being Allan’s Music and Billy Hydes.

She not only specializes in classical piano and the full range of the AMEB syllabus but also teaches a more contemporary/pop approach with a mix of composition and playing. She especially works well with people or children looking to write and understand their own music, delving into the fundamentals of chord writing and arranging and of course singing and playing. She has been playing and teaching guitar for many years and also focuses on the principles of song writing, specifically playing in unusual tunings and singing.

Jenna is a busy performer both on the original and cover scene. Her own music can be found under www.jennamurphymusic.com and she also plays in a quirky female duo act called Feline. She recently wrote and recorded an EP called Ancient Sea Warrior that can be found on all popular online stores.

“You know, there are only a small percentage of albums that offer the whole package. I believe Jenna Murphy’s “Ancient Sea Warrior” is one of those albums.” Shashona McCall, Indie Showcase 2011.

Jessica Westcott- Vocal and Glee Club Lesson

Jessica Westcott (Soprano) is currently studying a Bachelor of Music (Voice Performance) Honours at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Dr Rowena Cowley. Previous to this she completed her Bachelor of Music at the Australian National University School of Music, and graduated with High Distinction and first in her class.

Jessica hails from the small country town of Parkes, NSW. Most recently, Jessica played the role of Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, a production by the ANU School of Music In September 2012, to critical acclaim.

Jessica was featured in the Canberra Times article “Stars to watch in 2013”. 

In July 2012 Jessica was awarded a grant to participate in the Tyrolean Opera Program, a highly regarded summer school in the Tyrolean Alps, Austria. There she sang 4 concerts and a gala under the tuition of Katherine Wright, Elizabeth Bachman and Kim Josephson of the Metropolitan Opera.

In the summer of 2011-2012, Jessica flew to London to participate in master classes at the most prestigious music schools in Europe: the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Royal Northern School of Music in Manchester. She also spent time in Salzburg, Austria, to sing for Barbara Bonney. In July 2011 Jessica flew to San Francisco to have lessons at the San Francisco Conservatoire, with soprano Catherine Cook.

At just 20, Jessica has performed in many concerts, galas and events; including recently being the featured soprano in the CAT-award winning charity gala “Opera at the Dish”, where she sang for the Govenor General Quentin Bryce, and an audience of well over 2000. Jessica enjoys singing all over Canberra for Friends of Opera concerts and other small events.

Jessica has had the opportunity to perform at many official functions during her time in Canberra, including venues like the French, Italian, Austrian, German and Papua New Guniean Embassies, Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial. For two years Jessica held the prestigious Wesley Music Scholarship, and in 2011 she won the Friends of Opera Scholarship at the ANU.

In the future she hopes to complete tertiary studies in opera in Europe.