About Me

I began learning the cornet at the age of 7, after I badgered  the local music store owner for over a year to give me lessons! I attended Roseville Public School on Sydney’s North Shore, where I excelled in the band program and my love for music was fostered.

One of my first public performances was at the ripe age of 11, where I was invited to play the ANZAC and Remembrance Day bugle calls for my local RSL club. I’ve continued performing their bugles calls over the past 20 years.  

I was accepted into the Conservatorium on Music High School in 2004, where I traded my cornet in for a trumpet. I picked up the electric bass as a secondary instrument, which led me to receive a scholarship to learn the double bass. This led me to join Judy Bailey’s acclaimed jazz ensemble and I began performing gigs around Sydney with a variety of bands and a variety of genres including classical, jazz and pop.

After graduating  high school, I spent a year studying at the Australian Institute of Music and participated in various Open Academy courses and SIMA programs at the Conservatorium.  In 2011, I was accepted into the Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) course at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). So, I packed my bags and spent the next few years living in Perth, experiencing another music scene and strengthening my skills  in both trumpet and bass.

I returned to Sydney after completing my studies and have been working full time as a music educator and performer. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different schools across NSW as a band director, conductor, and instrumental tutor.

In 2022, I was accepted into the Master of Education program at the highly acclaimed Royal College of Music, London. So, once again I’ve packed my bags and moved over to the UK for the next few years. I’m excited to discover what the music scene is like in London, as well as gaining more knowledge and experience as an educator on an international scale.

Contact me

Educator

I am a passionate and dedicated music educator. With over 15 years of teaching experience, I’ve had the chance to work with thousands of students aged 6 – 18 years, taking them from beginner to advanced levels. 

Learn More

As a Music Educator, I engage with vast amount of students and teachers at government and non-government schools across NSW.
As an active member of the music education scene in Australia, I participate in various education workshops and events throughout the year.

Roseville PS
Lindfield East PS
Killarney Height PS
Castle Cove PS
St Ives PS
Mimosa PS
Seaforth PS
Beaumont Rd PS
Masada College
St Joseph’s College
Holy Family Catholic PS
Elanora Heights PS
Balgowlah North PS
Manly Village PS
Manly Vale PS

Davidson HS
Killarney Heights HS
Willoughby PS
Willoughby Girls HS
Killara HS
West Pennant Hills PS
Lane Cove PS
Lindfield Learning Village
Turramurra HS
St Stanislaus’ College
NSW School Spectacular
Perth International Jazz Festival
Merimbula Jazz Festival
Terni Jazz Festival (Italy)

Jazz Workshop Australia – Jazz Camp
NSW State Music Camp
Essentially Ellington Conference
Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival
Sydney Music Education Conference
Sydney Jazz Festival
Big Band Blast
Manly Jazz Festival
NSSWE Concerts and Festivals
Ryde East Music Festival
North Shore Primary School Band Festival
Sydney Eisteddfod
Australian National Band and Orchestra Conference
International Trumpet Guild Conference

Trumpet

I’ve been playing the trumpet for over 20 years, having started off as a cornet player in my primary school band program. I studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music High School, where I gained performance skills up to a tertiary level. As a classically trained trumpeter most of my freelance work involves performing in brass bands, big bands, orchestras, and cover bands.

Learn More

Bass

DOUBLE BASS | ELECTRIC BASS 

During high school I picked up the electric and double bass under a scholarship scheme, which gave me the opportunity to pursue classical and jazz genres under the guidance of Sydney’s best music educators. I went on to study double bass at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where I completed a Bachelor of Jazz Performance. 
As a jazz/contemporary trained bassist, most of my freelance work involves playing with jazz bands, big bands, pop/funk/soul and cover bands. 

Learn More

I regularly performs around Australia and internationally as a bassist and trumpeter. Some of the many people/bands I’ve performed with include:

Judy Bailey’s Jazz Connection
John Morrison’s Swing City
Sydney Wind Symphony
Sydney Jazz Society Big Band
Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra
Bill Motzing
Graham Jesse
Ian Moss
Dale Barlow
Don Rader

Paul Goodchild
Don Spencer 
Jo Lovano
Don Spencer
Ari Hoenig
Ellie Shearer
Charlie Watts
Ronnie Wood
Margaret Ulrich
Don Burrows
Little Pattie

Vince Jones
Bondi Brass
The Rat Pack
Benjamin’s Big Band
WAAPA Big Band
Garigal Big Band
The Many Others
Bugler for various commemorative services (ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, etc.) 
Headhunted for gigs with Flume, ARIA awards show, X-Factor, Boy George, Jessica Mauboy, and more.

Outside Music?

Whilst music seems to take up most of my life, I do have other interests! I come from a large, close-knit family (5 siblings and a truckload of relatives); I’m an advocate for sport and exercise (I play club rugby, toured internationally as a rugby player, and have trekked to Everest basecamp); and I love to hang out with mates! 
When I’m not working you can usually find me cooking up a meal for the family, hanging out with my dogs on the beach, playing rugby with mates, or watching a game on the telly with my brothers. 

Thank you for helping to inspire our children on their musical journey. The band sessions were always a great mixture of fun and learning. 

Lucas Ribeiro

Thanks for being an inspiration, motivator, and all round fun gal! 

Elle, Dan, Gemma Weeden

Thank you for your tireless efforts in encouraging and inspiring our training band this year during the most trying of circumstances.

Coates Family

Thank you for your continuing encouragement and inspiration for Ethan. Thanks for being a very important part in his music learning journey. Thanks for helping him grow and shine and giving him different opportunities throughout these years. Ethan really enjoys having lessons with you each week. I am sure he enjoys all the fun times learning music from you. We will remember you.

Jenny Chan / Parent

You really have taught me for a long time and thanks to you I am hugely better than I was before. You’ve made playing the trumpet an enjoyable and fun experience. Although I am very sad you are leaving it will be a relaxing break which you fully deserve. Thanks for being an awesome teacher and a friend.

Luka K / Student

Thank you for all your fun and enthusiasm in bringing music into CCPS and our lives. You are such a talented teacher. We have great memories learning and making music with you as our conductor at CCPS.

The Riddell Family

Hugh benefits from Maddy’s teaching skills; she is knowledgable and has a relaxing and supportive way to pass on the information. Hugh and I appreciate the gentle person Maddy is and would happily refer her to anyone with a desire to learn music.

Valerie Sylvain / Parent

Maddy’s ability to individualise her approach to teaching our children worked extremely to help each of them to achieve their best. Maddy was always approachable, calm and supportive of our children’s requirements. This is obviously helped by her own very high level of skill with a range of instruments and her love of music.

Trish Keown / Parent

Maddy keeps things interesting, encourages love of learning and music rather than to meet certain grades by certain timeframes. She was also the Stage Band conductor at our school and my other kids have also experienced her wonderful teachings and guidance. We are confident our son has been set on the right path to a lifetime of trumpet playing in no small part due to Maddy’s influence. We thoroughly recommend her as a trumpet teacher and wish her all the very best.

Charmain Yap / Parent

Thank you for giving me the gift of your time, joy and passion for music.

Issy Baxter / Student

Thank you for being such an amazing conductor. You have made being in band so much fun and I will never forget you.

Sam Schmidmaier / Student

Thank you Maddy for all your effort and patience with band! You have made music so much fun and taught me so much!! 

Joe / Student