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Music Lessons Melbourne

The Michael Avery School of Music is a boutique Melbourne music school specialising in piano, guitar and singing lessons adults and kids.

Located just 20 minutes from the Melbourne CBD in Malvern and Hawthorn, we offer music lessons and courses in jazz, contemporary and classical styles, taught by a young team of friendly, tertiary-qualified teachers.

Our philosophy is to provide engaging tuition in a warm and welcoming environment.

Our tertiary-qualified teachers have been hand-picked from leading Australian Universities. Their diverse musical backgrounds ensure that every lesson is an enriching experience.

Our school believes in learning on quality instruments. We provide lessons with state-of-the art equipment including instruments by Yamaha, Kawai, Rhodes and Nord.

We believe the latest technology is an essential addition to the modern classroom. Our teaching studios feature a selection of music software and equipment that is integrated into our classes.

We are able to print a variety of sheet music on demand. Music books required for classes can also be ordered by the school following our teacher recommendations.

We provide a relaxing waiting lounge for you to enjoy at the school that offers complimentary wireless internet, iPad and magazines.

Our complimentary refreshments include a variety of teas, coffee and fresh fruit. A selection of alcoholic beverages are also available for adults.

We offer piano, guitar and singing lessons in a variety of styles for kids and adults.

One third of our three hundred students are adults, so don’t be shy to give us a holler.

piano / guitar / voice
teenagers / adults
beginner / intermediate / advanced

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of jazz and blues music. Students learn how to improvise over a jazz standard in both a solo and ensemble setting.

A sound knowledge of harmony, rhythm and feel is emphasised in this stream. Students can then transfer these skills to other musical styles and genres.

This course is recommended for students who have a basic understanding of music fundamentals.

Further topics covered in our jazz course include:

chords + harmony
chord progressions
scales + modes
jazz standards
improvisation
composition
blues

piano / guitar / voice
children / teenagers / adults
beginner / intermediate / advanced

Our contemporary course is tailored to students wanting to learn music from the mid-20th century onwards. From The Beatles to the latest chart songs, we cater to all stylistic preferences.

In this course, students develop a sound understanding of modern music and composition rather than simply reading the dots.

This course also provides students with a smooth transition into the jazz and classical streams.

In this stream we focus on:

chords + harmony
chord progressions
song structure
rhythm + feel
song-writing

piano / guitar / voice
children / teenagers / adults
beginner / intermediate / advanced

More traditional than our jazz and contemporary streams, this course focuses on developing music fundamentals. Lessons emphasise technique, tone, rhythm and melody.

Many young students in this stream commence with tutor books and branch out into other styles as they gain proficiency in their instrument.

In this stream, students have the option of undertaking exams with the Australian Music Examinations Board.

Subjects in our classical stream also include:

classical standards
scales + arpeggios
harmonic analysis
sight-reading
musical form

We offer lessons from a diverse range of young and passionate tertiary-qualified musicians.

Our lessons are tailored to meet each student’s skill level and ambitions. We offer a complimentary introductory lesson to ensure every student is matched with the ideal educator.

Our school invites students to become part of a thriving musical community.

We believe that there’s more to a student’s development than a weekly lesson. Our workshops, concerts
and gigs are designed to broaden musical knowledge and allow students to meet in a relaxed setting.

Events in term three 2023:

All events are complimentary for enrolled students, unless ticketed.

Choir:

Join our supportive and friendly school choir, wine and cheese included!
Fortnightly on Wednesdays (Malvern Campus)

Music Theory Class:

Learn key concepts of music to aid your musical development as a complement to your lessons.
Fortnightly on Tuesdays (Zoom)

Improvisation Class:

Easy and fun workshop to get you confident and comfortable with the basics of improv.
(Malvern Campus)

Performance workshop:

A group class sharing some processes and tips to be at ease and perform at your best in front of an audience!
(Malvern Campus)

End of year Recitals:

A chance for students to share performances for friends and family in a beautiful venue
Sunday November 19th (Abbotsford Convent, Ticketed)

Kids Jam!

Guided by several teachers at MASoM, our younger students will have a chance to rehearse and perform in groups!
(Malvern Campus)

Our workshops are open to students of all ages and skill levels. They are held regularly throughout the term and provide students with an opportunity to perform works-in-progress and discuss music theory and history. Further performance opportunities are available to students through our jazz ensemble workshops.

We strongly value performance as part of our curriculum and encourage all students to play at our mid-year and end-of-year concerts. In 2023, our mid-year concert will be held on Sunday June 18th at the Abbotsford convent laundry hall. Our end-of-year concert has also been booked for December at the Abbotsford Convent. All students receive a professional audio and video recording of their performance.

We are very privileged to have some of Melbourne’s finest musicians perform regularly at our school. These performances are a wonderful way for students to experience live music in an intimate setting. Previous guests have included Lior, Ollie McGill, Husky, Luke Howard Trio, Tony Gould, The Grigoryan Brothers, Rob Burke, Steve & Bob Sedergreen and Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo.

Looking to purchase, move or tune an instrument?

Our school is happy to point you in the right direction for all of your music needs.

We have a very close relationship with Kawai Australia, so if you’re looking to buy a new Kawai piano, best hit us up and we’ll point you in the right direction. You can also reach out to Matt Hales at Melbourne Piano Sales.
ph. (03) 9429 7999
melbournepianosales.com.au.

Phil Sander is our recommended piano tuner and piano technician. Servicing suburbs all over Melbourne, Phil tunes pianos at homes, studios and larger concert halls such as Hamer Hall.
ph. 0401 627 755

Former principal Josh Cohen is still an important friend of the school. We appreciate Josh providing his experience, advice and wisdom. Needless to say, he’s a legend!

You can check out his performances/music at Joshcohenmusic.com.

We offer one-on-one weekly or fortnightly lessons.

All students are entitled to a complimentary 30-minute lesson
before enrolling at our school and may commence any time throughout the term.

All lesson prices are per one-on-one class and are billed in advance each term. Mid-term enrolments are billed on a pro rata basis for the remaining weeks in the term. Lesson prices for our teaching staff (excluding our Principal) are:

30-minute lesson: $65
45-minute lesson: $85
60-minute lesson: $105

We offer a $25 discount to family members who enrol in more than one class per week:

30-minute lesson: $40
45-minute lesson: $60
60-minute lesson: $80

Lesson prices with our Principal Michael Avery are:

30-minute lesson: $85 / $60 discounted
45-minute lesson: $115 / $90 discounted
60-minute lesson: $145 / $120 discounted

Our school follows the Victorian state school term timetable. Lessons are not conducted outside of these dates:

Term 1, 2023 (10 weeks)
Mon, Jan 30 – Thu, Apr 6

Term 2, 2023 (9 weeks)
Mon, Apr 24 – Sat, Jun 24

Term 3, 2023 (10 weeks)
Mon, Jul 10 – Sat, Sep 16

Term 4, 2023 (11 weeks)
Mon, Oct 2 – Sat, Dec 16

We like long weekends too. Our school is closed on the following days:

Labour Day
Mon, Mar 13, 2023

ANZAC Day
Tue, Apr 25, 2023

King’s Birthday
Mon, Jun 12, 2023

Melbourne Cup Day weekend
Sat, Nov 4 – Tue, Nov 7, 2023

Our school offers gift vouchers which are available in any combination of lessons.

They are a great gift for someone who has displayed a keen interest towards the piano, guitar or singing. Recipients can choose to undertake jazz, contemporary or classical lessons.

The vouchers are valid for six months from date of issue and may not be redeemed for cash.

We also support local schools, charities and underprivileged students. If you would like our school to donate lessons to a silent auction or school raffle, we would be glad to assist your request.

All enrolments are booked on a term-by-term basis and cannot be transferred to another student.

Our lessons are billed in advance at the beginning of each term with payment due within seven days. Mid-term enrolments are billed for the remaining weeks in the term.

All invoices are sent via email and can be paid via direct deposit, cheque or cash. Payments cannot be refunded once a student has commenced their enrolment, as per Australian Consumer Law.

Our family discount only applies when more than one class is conducted in the same week.

Students are not billed for classes that fall on a public holiday.

We require 24 hours notice for all cancellations.

If you unable to attend the scheduled lesson, we will endeavour to accommodate up to two make-up lessons per term at our discretion.

Make-up lessons cannot be rescheduled and do not roll over into the subsequent term.

In the unlikely event that a teacher cannot attend a lesson, we will either find a suitable relief teacher or organise an alternative time for a make-up lesson.

Keen to get in touch? We’d love to hear from you.

We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic teachers to join our growing Melbourne team. We pride ourselves on delivering outstanding music lessons that make a real difference. If you have a passion for education and hold a tertiary qualification in piano, guitar or voice, send a cover letter and CV to jobs@michaelavery.com.au.

Malvern
We have an abundance of free parking on the surrounding streets and car parks off Gordon Grove.

Hawthorn
Free parking is available everywhere until 4:30pm. After this time, parking is available north of the school along Auburn Rd, Victoria Rd near Auburn station, the south side of Burwood Rd and all surrounding side-streets.

Malvern
Located 250 metres from Malvern Station, trains run frequently and are only fifteen minutes from the CBD. Take the Frankston line.

Hawthorn
We are located only a stone’s throw from Auburn station, which is approximately fifteen minutes by train from the CBD. Catch the Alamein, Belgrave or Lilydale lines.

Malvern
Tram – Melbourne University to Malvern (No. 5)
Tram – Melbourne University to Kew (No. 16)
Tram – Melbourne University to East Brighton (No. 64)
Bus – Kew to Oakleigh Station (No. 624)

Hawthorn
Tram – Melbourne University to Kew (No. 16)
Tram – Docklands to Wattle Park (No. 70)
Tram – Vermont South to Docklands (No. 75)
Bus – Kew to Oakleigh Station (No. 624)

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