Our team
Achieve your musical potential from Canberra’s best musicians and staff.
BMS Academy teachers offer students a fun, positive learning experience with a flexible teaching approach. Our teachers will help you or your child learn music through songs you love, while introducing the essentials of good technique.
Our lessons are built upon trust and respect that goes both ways between teacher and student. Whether it’s a group or individual lesson, we nurture an environment where learning is joyful and music develops with the child.
All our teachers hold Working With Vulnerable People accreditation.
Meet our team
Filter by instrument/role
Kylie Shi
Piano
Kylie is a patient and upbeat teacher who has a wide range of experience in teaching children and has always maintained a great passion for music. While she has experimented with many musical instruments, her favourite has always been the piano – which she has enjoyed playing for the past 15 years.
After having performed at many eisteddfods and concerts, Kylie aims to bring students the joy of playing various musical pieces and sometimes being comfortable with taking on a challenge.
Jojo Yuen
Piano
Jojo is a passionate and experienced piano performer and teacher, currently in her Second Year studying a Bachelor of Laws(Hons) and Music at ANU.
She started learning the piano at six and has since competed locally, nationally and internationally. She was the recipient of the Margaret Smiles Association Prize in 2023 and currently holds the Christel Larko Music Scholarship at ANU.
She attained her ATCL in 2018 and LTCL in 2019, and has performed solo and chamber music works in many fund-raising concerts and recitals in Hong Kong, Brisbane and Canberra.
Ella Jeong
Piano
Ella’s bio to be added soon.
Josh Robards
Piano and Admin
Joshua’s love for music began in his grandma’s loungeroom at age 5 where she taught him a foundation of music. This sparked an enjoyment for music that stayed with him throughout his schooling where he sang in choirs, accompanied chapel services, and completed his AMEB 8th grade exam in 2022.
Joshua finds music to be an integral part of his life through its versatile nature. He is an understanding teacher who works to make sure he can be supportive throughout every aspect of a child’s journey with music.
Kyle Kirkpatrick
Drums
Kyle is a percussionist and electronic musician from Seattle, Washington, USA. He has performed with a wide variety of acts including punk-rock marching band Titanium Sporkestra, The Voice contestant Payge Turner, ukulele crooner Champagne Honeybee, and jazz fusion ensemble Freudian Slurp. He moved to Canberra in 2020, where he now performs with Indian pop band Funkaars and Australian folk-rock singer Dan Hanrahan.
Kyle is a patient teacher that believes music lessons are more than just learning to play an instrument; they are a sandbox in which we hone our self-discipline and cultivate the tools to achieve our goals in life. Through helpful notation templates, electronic sequencers, and beatboxing drum patterns he breaks down tough concepts into bite-size bits.
Some cool videos about technical sound can be found here 
https://kirkpatrick.live/
Nari Kim
Piano
Nari is an accomplished piano instructor with formal training from the Trinity College of London, where she successfully completed her music grades. Nari’s proficiency spans across classical and jazz genres, reflecting a deep appreciation for the diverse facets of piano music.
In addition to her role as a piano teacher, Nari is also a nurse, demonstrating a commitment to both the arts and healthcare. This unique combination enables Nari to approach teaching with a holistic perspective, ensuring that her students not only excel in their musical endeavors but also experience a supportive and enriching learning environment.
Nari invites aspiring musicians to join her in this educational journey, where the pursuit of excellence is complemented by an atmosphere of respect and dedication. She will help you to unlock the potential within the world of piano, creating a harmonious and fulfilling experience for each student.
Olena Brown
Piano
Advanced piano teacher with over 30 years experience. Specialising in Classical Piano Performance by Russian & French Piano Technique by Marcel Ciampi
She holds Diploma and Bachelor Degree of Music in Piano Performance and Accompaniment..
During 30 years of teaching experience Olena has prepared hundreds of students for exams with high results,concerts and competitions. Her students have been selected to perform ENCORE at the Sydney Opera House and Pre~Raising StarsTraining Programme as part of Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Her teaching capabilities were recognised in 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 When she was Awarded on each occasion, an AMEB(NSW) Certificate of Distinction in the category of Most Outstanding Private Teacher in Preliminary to Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance.
Mei Xu
Piano
Mei xu is a classical pianist and has studied piano since early childhood. She achieved her Bachelor in Music Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music and completed her Master of teaching qualification from the Trinity Conservatoire later in London.
In 2018, Mei also achieved a Masters in Early childhood teaching from Usdy. Mei is therefore experienced in supporting learners of all ages.
Mei started her teaching career, with children and adults in 2012 back in Manchester UK. She promotes interest-based learning and play-based learning to enhance the learner’s interests and needs.
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Alia McKinnell
Piano
Alia moved to Canberra from Germany in 2022.
Piano is her passion. She began to learn the instrument from early childhood, and began teaching it in 2003. She is happy to help her students develop their artistic and creative talents to achieve the highest possible goals.
After finishing her Bachelor degree, she was involved in the project ‘Early development of musically gifted children’ in 2010, in collaboration with a professor of the Young Talent Department in the Royal Conservatory in The Hague (The Netherlands).
In 2014 she became principal of a private International Music School in The Hague (The Netherlands), preparing students for a professional career in the Netherlands and Germany.
She also attended various masterclasses with some of the best European professors. One of the most remarkable Masterclass was in April 2012 in The Hague Royal Conservatory with Dmitry Bashkirov (winner of the Marguerite Long Piano Competition in Paris in 1955).
Alia is excited to share her extensive knowledge with the musicians of BMS Academy.
Anna Kirk
Piano
Anna is an experienced musician and piano tutor with a passion for supporting students of all ages to unleash their musical potential.
She has been playing classical and contemporary piano for over 18 years and performs regularly as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for various bands. With an interest in songwriting and composition, Anna encourages her students to explore their creative abilities as they progress in technical skill and theoretical knowledge, seeking to nurture in her students a life-long love of music
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Elisha Adisa
Drums
Elisha is a self taught drummer that is now at ANU working towards a Bachelor of Music and Commerce, majoring in Jazz Performance and Management. He is currently active in the Canberra music scene playing for various groups and companies across town covering many different styles and genres of music. He also has many years as a trained cellist, which makes him well acquainted across an even wider spectrum on genres outside of the jazz/ contemporary world.
James Cusack
Staff
TBA.
Helen Gunning
Admin Staff
Helen is an ex-primary school teacher with post graduate qualifications in Children’s Literature.
After enjoying many volunteer roles while her children were small, she then worked at a local, respected toy shop.
Helen is here to help you at BMS Academy with all your admin questions.
Mike Dooley
Piano
Mike Dooley is a professional composer, pianist, and piano and composition teacher who has performed and composed throughout South East Asia, the Middle East and around Australia.
Mike performs as a professional jazz pianist and solo pianist in numerous venues around Canberra and NSW. He is a highly experienced teacher who teaches in all genres and styles.
Janice Jang
Piano
TBA
Janice Yap
Piano, Voice
Janice is a passionate musician. She completed her Bachelor of Music with Honours at ANU.Janice has been teaching piano and voice since 2016.
She is patient, adaptable and emphatic towards students. She will tailor lessons to students’ needs and values the understanding of music from different perspectives.
Surjo Mazhar
Piano, Voice
Surjo is an accomplished piano player studying Jazz performance and advanced computing at ANU.
He is a patient and considerate teacher who is keen to assist his students to achieve their musical goals.
Winsa Daffa Daniswara
Guitar, Violin
Winsa is an experienced musician and performer with a Bachelor of Music from ANU.
He performs and teaches both guitar and violin. He is a dedicated and caring teacher who loves meeting new learners – whether they are adults or children – and always keeps lessons productive and enjoyable.
Ieesha Still
Piano
Ieesha is a long-standing student of BMS Academy and started her journey with the school in 2005. She has been playing piano for 16 years has translated her years of learning with the Academy into encouraging her students to learn and expand their own piano skills.
She draws from her experience with her own childhood teachers to ensure her students develop the same love for music and push themselves to better their abilities for their own enjoyment.
Elliot Kozary
Piano
Elliot is working towards a Bachelor of Music at ANU, majoring in jazz performance. He is an accomplished musician with over 15 years of experience in both classical and jazz piano.
Elliot strives to share the joy of music with his students in a fun and caring manner, and is passionate about improvisation and music theory so that anyone can play music.
Lucy Aras
Piano
Lucy is an experienced performer of both piano and violin, having successfully sat her AMusA Diploma for the piano in 2019 while maintaining a deep involvement in orchestras over her musical journey. The enjoyment of playing both as soloist and in ensemble settings inspired her decision to major in Violin Performance at the ANU School of Music. By drawing on her own experience, Lucy strives to encourage musical versatility and to inspire others with the same passion and love for music that motivated her to pursue the art at a professional level.
Stephen Young
Clarinet, Recorder, Saxophone
Stephen has been teaching at BMS Academy since 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium, as well as postgraduate qualifications in both performance and education.
Stephen has taught and performed throughout the world, most recently for several years at international schools in Germany. Stephen is a multi-instrumentalist, playing clarinet and other woodwinds, as well as tabla and didgeridoo.
Stephen’s energy and passion for music ensure his students thrive in their musical development.
Marlon Taylor
Encore Curriculum
Marlon began his musical journey at BMS at age 4. He has approached expanding his knowledge of music in all its forms with great enthusiasm ever since.
He strives to foster in his students the same passion for music that he developed from his time learning at BMS. He draws from his own learning experience to ensure that the classroom is as engaging and fun for every student as it can possibly be.
Eddie Wang
Piano
Eddie is an experienced pianist with over 10 years of playing behind him.
He is a consistent and dedicated teacher who is driven by helping his students improve their skills in a friendly and caring environment.
Eddie Symons
Bass
Eddie is in his third year of a Bachelor of Music at ANU, where he received a School of 2020 Music Entry scholarship.
An experienced bassist and guitarist, Eddie aims to ignite a love of music in his students. He is passionate about creating a space where they can be themselves and develop their own musical voice, and strives to bring out the best in everyone.
Liam Egan-Richards
Staff
Mereki Leten
Clarinet, Flute, Recorder, Saxophone
Mereki studied her Bachelor of Music at the ANU specialising in Jazz Performance. Mereki plays all woodwind instruments and performs and teaches all genres of music. She plays in various jazz groups, including the Tiny Jazz Collective (TJC). She also is a regular performer as a duo/trio/quartet throughout Canberra, where her group was the recipients of the Friends of the School award in 2023.
The highlight of her musical journey so far was being accepted into the ‘Honors Performance Series’ orchestra that played on NYC at Carnegie Hall in 2017. That was an auditioned based program that Brough together kids from all around the world.
Mereki is a dedicated and encouraging teacher who tailors her teaching to the individual needs of each student to make each lesson fun and rewarding.
Oliver Campbell
Drums
Oliver started his musical journey at BMS Academy at age 3 and has continued to play, crossing over multiple instruments. Originally learning piano before moving onto trumpet, he spent years yearning to play the drums. One day, Oliver picked up a pair of drumsticks and never looked back.
Oliver has played in several concert bands, performing at Floriade and band competitions around the ACT.
Oliver believes the best way to learn is through playing while having fun and ensures that his lessons are engaging, practical and an all round enjoyable experience week after week.
Oliver Campbell
Electric Bass
Ngaire Hosking
Early Childhood, Flute, Piano, Adult Piano Group
Ngaire is a highly respected and cherished teacher who has been with BMS Academy since 2016.
Ngaire studied in Sydney at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music gaining a Bachelor of Music and A.Mus.A before moving to Canberra.
Ngaire discovered a love of working with children and believes all children are innately musical and have the capacity to learn and enjoy music.
Ngaire has undertaken further studies in primary school education and is thrilled to teach children and adults at BMS Academy.
Michelle Klemke
Voice
Michelle has been with BMS Academy since 1994. She is an immensely talented and dedicated teacher and performer and is experienced in most genres of singing.
Michelle is a regular performer and assists backstage with many of Canberra’s wonderful amateur theatre groups such as Supa Productions, Free Rain Theatre Company, Phoenix Players, Queanbeyan Players, Canberra Philharmonic Society. She has been nominated for and awarded a number of Canberra Area Theatre awards.
Many of Michelle’s students are veteran performers, and she is constantly introducing upcoming singers to the music theatre scene. She always goes the extra mile for her students as she prepares them to meet their goals such as performances, examinations and auditions.
Matthew Tennant
Drums
Matt first picked up a pair of drumsticks at age 14, while in high school. His love for music was stoked and went on to study composition and performance at Canberra Institute of Technology.
Since then, Matt has been teaching full time. He also plays in local bands Escape Syndrome and TONK, as well as a number of small duos and trios that can regularly be heard on the club and wedding circuits.
Music and the art of drumming has been a major force in Matt’s life. He’s proud and honoured to pass his knowledge on to students all across the ACT’.
Damien Gauci
Piano
Damien is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at ANU majoring in Composition for Film and Video Games, and Music Technology. He has been playing piano for more than 12 years and enjoys performing as well as composing.
Damien is an encouraging teacher who loves to challenge his students to get a little better every day while also making the journey fun and enjoyable. He is experienced with music theory and is passionate to teach others the joy of learning the piano.
Kian Shayan
Piano
Kian holds a Bachelor of Music at ANU majoring in composition and performance, focusing his skills as an accomplished pianist.
He has a thorough understanding of piano and music theory, and is a friendly and compassionate teacher. He strives to cultivate and share his passion for music with his students, believing each individual requires an environment to develop their own love for music while building knowledge and skill.
John McCarthy
Guitar
John started playing the guitar when he was 12 years old and played in ‘garage bands’ with friends until he was 17. In the late 60s and early 70s, John pursued a career as a ‘rock’ guitarist before moving to performing as a solo blues and folk singer, and for a time, studied classical guitar.
John was a founding member of a Canberra based contemporary folk/country rock band which released a CD of original music, and a jazz duo (flute and guitar) which released a CD of jazz standards. He is currently a member of ‘The Mike Lyons Trio’ and ‘The Other Side’.
His performances have taken him around the globe including the Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
John believes learning to play an instrument and perform music should be an enjoyable and fun-filled experience. His passion for teaching stems from his passion for music and the pleasure he gets from passing on his knowledge to others.
Jeffery Yang
Piano, Violin
Jeffery is an accomplished musician. He has performed extensively in numerous countries and has been the concertmaster for multiple orchestras in New Zealand.
He brings a cheerful personality coupled with an optimistic outlook to provide a supportive atmosphere for his students.
Jeffery’s students improve not only their technical skill, but also their musicality and understanding of the repertoire they perform.
Sarah Darnley-Stuart
Voice
Sarah is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Operatic highlights include Britten’s Midsummer Nights Dream (Mustardseed), Stravinsky’s Le Rossignol (Le Rossignol) and Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo (Nymph). Concert work includes Handel’s Messiah (Brisbane) and Vivaldi’s Nulla in Mundo pax Sincera with the Camerata of St John.
Musical theatre highlights include The Phantom of the Opera (Christine and Carlotta covers) and Legally Blonde (Vivienne). Most recently Sarah performed the role of Pamina in National Opera’s pocket opera The Magic Flute and in their production of Alcina.
Sarah loves bringing her joy of singing to learners of all ages.
Jadyn Wang
Piano
Jadyn has been playing the piano for more than 15 years, playing a diverse range of musical styles and genres. He is an accomplished musician and has competed and placed in the Beijing Art and Music Festival, China. He is currently studying a Masters degree at ANU.
Jadyn has experience teaching piano in China, and his warm and caring personality makes him a skilled and trusted piano teacher.
Helena Victoria
Piano, Viola, Violin
Teaching began for Helena in 1998 whilst studying piano at the University of Western Australia. She has always found teaching to be a demanding but very rewarding activity.
Helena loves the variety of teaching. She thrives on the sorts of days where one minute she’s helping a five year-old to find middle C, and the next she’s helping a mature student refine their phrasing of Beethoven’s Sonata.
She’s also proudly raising the fifth generation of pianists and violinists in her own family, with her own daughter a former proud student of BMS Academy – and loving it!
Dr. Rachel Campbell
Piano, Voice, Special Needs, Early Childhood
Dr Rachel Campbell is the Assistant Director of BMS Academy, managing the school’s 700 students and nearly 30 teaching staff. She has a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours and a PhD from the University of New England.
As well as her efforts behind the scenes, Rachel teaches voice, piano and early childhood group classes. She has a particular strength and interest in working with students with special needs.
Rachel is also the face of BMS Academy’s exciting new venture, BMS Beats – an online, streamable music program for early childhood.
Daniel (Chan-Young) Choi
Guitar, Piano
Daniel has completed Bachelor of Music at ANU. He is an accomplished pianist and guitarist. He is a caring and dedicated teacher who strives to share his love for music with his students.
Daniel brings his passion and expertise to his students at BMS Academy. His gift for music education is evident in the development of BMS Academy’s budding musicians.
Claudio Neumann
Piano
Claudio is an experienced pianist and works hard to engage his students in a caring and friendly manner.
Claudio strives to tailor his teaching to the individual needs and desires of each student to make the lessons as rewarding as possible. His goal is to ignite others with knowledge and techniques to embody their full potential as musicians.
Andrew Botha
Guitar
Andrew loves how music changes lives for the better. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Jazz guitar) from ANU. He has an interest in people and a zest for sharing his passion for all things musical.
Andrew tailors his teaching, guided by his students’ age, experience and aspirations. He engages each individual’s creativity, motivating them by instilling a love for playing music.
Angela Cho
Encore Curriculum
Angela has started learning piano ever since her early childhood years. She fully understands the joy of playing instruments and wishes to pioneer that to others.
She expresses her compassion through music and loves to share her talent with others. Since early adolescence, Angela has tutored young children and served her community with her advanced piano skills. Angela finds joy when children gain confidence in themselves. She is excited to extend this commitment through her teaching at BMS Academy.
Andrew Kimber
Clarinet, Flute, Piano, Recorder, Saxophone
Andrew is a highly-experienced musician and teacher of numerous instruments who holds a Bachelor of Music from ANU. He is also a music event production professional and artist manager.
Andrew is an exciting teacher with an infectious enthusiasm for music. He plays and teaches across multiple styles including New Orleans brass band, bebop, contemporary jazz, fusion, blues, funk and country.
Angus Ogborne
Drums
Angus holds a Bachelor of Music from ANU. After starting his drumming adventures at just 5 years old, Angus has been drumming in Canberra for more than 15 years. At high school, Angus became somewhat addicted to playing gigs and also began session drumming for bands, playing in acts such as Midnight Cinderella (2014-15), Rubyice (2015-16) and East Row Rabble (2016-17).
Angus is passionate about drum teaching. He has fond memories of his own learning and the gateway it built to pursue a professional drumming career. He focuses on developing drumming techniques, playing to various charts with accompaniment (playing in time), ability to drum with diversification (different genres and grooves) and building a respectful relationship with his students.
Ariana Odermatt
Piano
Ariana is a highly experienced musician and teacher who holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Music and German from the University of Waikato (NZ). She also has a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Music from ANU.
Ariana performs both internationally and nationally on Harpsichord and piano and teaches piano at BMS Academy and Ainslie Primary School.
Ariana loves giving the gift of music, and enjoys watching students of all ages learn and develop their confidence.
Beth Hwang
Early Childhood, Flute, Piano
Beth has been teaching with BMS Academy since 2016 as a teacher of individual lessons and early childhood groups.
Beth is a highly experienced, respected and cherished teacher. She is quick to identify the best approach to get her students to get to the next level of their musical journey. Beth is a joyous teacher who imparts a love for learning and playing music that encourages creativity in all aspects of her students’ lives.
Bronwen Mackenzie
Euphonium, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba
Bronwen Mackenzie is the Director of BMS Academy and also a highly accomplished trombone performer. She has performed throughout Australia and internationally. She holds a Master of Music at Northwestern University, Chicago, USA and a Master of Education from the University of New England.
Bronwen teaches all brass instruments and loves to share her passion and love of music with her students.
Aidan Gunning
Admin Staff
Aidan comes from a sports administrative background specialising in Cricket with a Bachelor in Health Science (Human Movement).
He has worked for the ACT Meteors & Comets as well as Australian and International touring teams. He has a strong passion for growing the Indoor Cricket space within Canberra
Aidan is here to facilitate all your questions and queries here at BMS Academy, and will likely be receiving some emails from him!